Boo

This too shall pass...but it might take a little while. Ridding myself of the instinct to "reward" myself with a cigarette for a completed job was the last hump I got over in my quit. Eventually, I rewired my brain with a combination of repetition and time. Welcome aboard Engravosaurus. Congratulations on putting the pipe down. I've said it before and I'll say it again, time spent stacking BBs or nailing Jell-O to the wall is preferable to smoking.

Great job Kris. Congratulations.

Another one from three bar...

I really am turning into my father. Just wrote in another thread about the time we took my daughter to the aquarium and a lemur scared her. I'm not even sure why I included that anecdote. Now I remember that my dad has been telling a story about our trip to Disney World for years. He points at me and says: "This one...Goofy walked up behind him and he dropped his ice cream cone and ran away." He laughs every time like it just happened last week. Dammit dad, I was only three years-old. I have children of my own to embarrass now. Not sure why, but it's a family tradition.

We're members there now. Maddie loves that place, the penguins in particular. Papa Boo and the lovely Sugar Britches have learned to be more adept at identifying the animals. Maddie points at every critter in the place and asks "dat?" One of the lemurs jumped on the cage right in front of her and scared her a bit; that's been the only mishap we've had there. She's not even put off by the crocodiles and sharks. The little gal is growing up fast...too fast for my liking. She's particularly mature now that she has taken on the role of helping raise her little brother. Maddie is quick to remind us that "Baby Jack" needs a "bobble" and a "diapee."

As I get older, the parties are already wrapped up by the time they used to just be getting started. It's 10:30 p.m. local time and I'm the only one in the house still awake. Mister Jackson had a good birthday. We had a birthday cake in his honor, a strawberry cheesecake to be precise. That cake is so good it's a shame the little man couldn't enjoy any on his special day. As soon as he can start eating solids, we owe him one. Maddie did enjoy the cake and presented Jackson with a piece of artwork for his big day. A picture of a pink and green owl blowing out candles on a blue birthday cake. The little gal takes some artistic license with her crayons. Speaking of Maddie and birthday parties, we have a room rented at the Tennessee Aquarium for next month's big two-year old birthday bash (book early to avoid disappointment). We're gonna party with the penguins!

Good to see you again Octain. That's a rock-solid quit you built for yourself.

You're doing great Kdad.

I have and will give more hugs as the day progresses. With only one month under his belt, Jackson is really growing. The boy is a chunk. His hair is also growing, but only on the top of his head. Sugar Britches tries to comb it down, but inevitably it ends up sticking up right in the middle. I could go on and on about my boy, but needless to say he is ridiculously cute. Jackson is celebrating by doing the things he enjoys: eating, sleeping, kicking his legs up and down, moving his arms around, and making new noises...You do you birthday boy. Happy Birthday little fella, you are more loved than you know.

The little man is starting to find his voice. Jackson has been making cooing noises here and there for a few days. All of a sudden, on Saturday morning he woke up ready to talk. It sounds like he's saying "I good." To which I concur: "Yes you are little buddy." Mister Jackson is moving a lot more now as well. He still gets plenty of rest, but when he's awake he kicks his legs around and moves his arms a lot. Maddie pointed at him kicking his legs and said "swim." I guess the little gal is ready to give the new guy swim lessons now.

The busy board has provided hours of entertainment here at Casa de Boo. Not only does Miss Maddie enjoy it, the dog loves pawing at the door stops. Fun for the whole family.

My head was all over the place when I hopped on the Train. Veteran quitters showed me the way. I am forever grateful and indebted to all the folks who took time to show greenhorn Boo how it's done. Now that I'm one of the veterans, I try to be a steady hand on the wheel for folks just starting out. The veterans help the greenhorns. The greenhorns energize the veterans. It's a symbiotic relationship we've got going here.

Getting all of my ducks in a row to start my next project. I'm building a small greenhouse on Boo Acres. I already have more than enough cedar to frame up the house. Yesterday, I picked up a truckload of old windows from a friend of mine that flips houses. All the windows cost me was a case of Yuengling beer...a good deal. We're starting small and learning on the fly, but becoming increasingly food independent is more important now than ever.

Mindset is everything. Once you commit, really commit, to never smoking again you find the way. Godspeed Kdad.

It's Strawberry Festival time folks...

Perusing an online article with 77 recipes you can put together using strawberries. The Tennessee Strawberry Festival is underway here in my neck of the woods. We've got a parade. We've got live music. We've got a classic car show. We've got a "distinguished young woman" pageant. We've got vendors selling arts and crafts. And of course, we've got strawberries for days. If you're in the neighborhood, swing by and say hey.

Great job Denali. Congratulations.

Congratulations Steven. Prepare the Lido Deck. We've got one coming in hot.

Ensnared by my own stupid prank. I find it amusing to annoy my wife and friends by playing really stupid songs. It's all fun and games until you get one of those stupid songs stuck in your head. And that's where I find myself now...BA-NANA!

Contemplating the fact that I was guilty of two of the seven deadly sins tonight, and that was just at suppertime. I grilled Korean Barbecue for the first time tonight. Took a brisket, sliced it paper thin, and made Bulgogi. So long as I'm bragging about my culinary skills, I also made the marinade and Ssamjang sauce myself. I take pride in how well my barbecue turned out and gluttony was bound to ensue.

We've got a laid-back newborn and a toddler that has turned into our little helper. Maddie keeps a close eye on Jackson. Me and Sugar Britches are in charge of feedings, diaper changes, and baths. The rest is just middle management work.

Mister Jackson has a favorite hobby: stretching. The little fella loves a good stretch. So far, that's the big difference we've noticed between Jackson and Maddie. Maddie liked to be held. When we went to put her down for a nap it was a delicate process. If she woke up and found that you were trying to lay her down, she would voice her displeasure quickly. Jackson, on the other hand, enjoys his time in the crib. He's fine with being held, but really enjoys stretching out in his bed. Jackson is so easy-going I'm convinced that he might be the most low maintenance newborn in the history of the world.