Chrysalis

Singing in the rain! :) What was your first job?

decayed

Laura, I think that smoking does relieve stress but it works in a way you don't expect. I think that smoking helps relieve stress in two ways: 1. When you were smoking, you would need a nicotine "fix" every 20 minutes. If you couldn't smoke right then your stress level would increase because of nicotine withdrawal. So when you finally did smoke and the nicotine got to your brain, you felt stress relief. Your brain learned to associate having a cigarette with relieving stress, but the ONLY stress nicotine relieves is nicotine-induced stress. It doesn't help with stress related to bratty children, financial worries, flat tires or anything else you can think of. So, yes, your junkie brain thinks that smoking relieves stress. What you must do is get your rational brain into gear and realize that the ONLY stress nicotine fixes is nicotine stress. 2. In the past when you were feeling stressed or angry or anxious you could take a 10-minute break and have a cigarette. You could remove yourself--physically and mentally-- from whatever was bothering you for a few minutes and give yourself time to calm down. Now that you don't smoke, you need to find some other way to give yourself a little break and calm yourself down. You can still step outside, if you like, but instead of smoking you can practice deep breathing for a few minutes or put on your headphones and listen to your favorite music for a few minutes or go in your bedroom and punch a pillow for 5 minutes--whatever works for you. I think that if you develop your own strategy to cope when you're feeling stressed and implement it frequently you will feel much better and be easier to get along with. And, yes, what everybody else said is right-- this is a common phase when you quit smoking and it goes go away pretty soon.

Wash that man right outta my hair! What is your favorite month?

A-a-r-r-g-h!! Does anybody know a song about sieve brains??!! OK...What was the name of your first girlfriend/boyfriend?

pocketful of rye

Ugh! I think that this game is too complex for me! :( What was you favorite class in school?

Bali Hai

16 going on 17 What do you do to cheer yourself up? (thanks for the reminder, Nancy :) )

Mood Indigo

September Morn What is your favorite animal?

Ross, I'm delighted to hear that both you and Tasha are much healthier than you were a year ago. That's great news! And it's even better than all systems are "go" for starting a family. Marvelous! I hope that your IVF application sails through without a hitch.I grew up believing that my father never wanted kids, so it's refreshing to see a couple who really wants a family. As Captain Picard would say, "Make it so, Number 1." :)

Oh, good luck, Ross! I'll be praying for the both of you.

Yes, cheese curds are like salty mozzarella with a little bit of cheddar flavor. When eaten at room temperature, they squeak when you bite into them. Actually, I LOVE cheese curds-- just not on my French fries. :P

villian

storyteller

Yeah. I tried some the last time I was in Canada. It wasn't bad-- tastes just as you would expect. But I think I'll stick with my hot, crispy French Fries with just a little salt thank you very much. :) PS-- I will say that in my opinion, poutine is way better than chili fries! :(

Thor

Good for you, Colleen! I know you were feeling very frustrated when you couldn't exercise. I'm glad that you are feeling up to it now.

wetsuit

bikini (ouch!)

Edam

graham

gourmet

Oh, I see. Sounds like a great idea for someone with limited mobility.