Sazerac

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Luckily, I don't own a telly. I am just now relaxing with some Cognac. I cooked all day. An incredible chicken/veg stock. It is really good. A red sauce with peppers, garlic, onions, celery, carrots, eggplant, all roasted and will cook down and get whizzed. Meatballs (excellent with Asiago, parsley, dried tomatoes soaked in balsamic, shallots etc) and a Chicken Liver Pate with Cognac. The pate is what I am bringing to a Mardi Gras party tomorrow. The Stock gets frozen for my Jazz Festival Legendary Gumbo Red sauce and meatballs for the week's sustenance.

I was in deep denial over health issues attributed to smoking and if I ever thought about them, I didn't care. Health was not a factor in my quitting. My freedom was the main impetus. I don't really have a fear of dying. I still think I am going to live forever, lol.

dear Opah, you are having a horrible time lately, I am so sorry. Don't make it all worse by smoking. Remember Cristóbal's Wisdom Your Quit & Your Life There are a lot of 'grief' sites out there maybe one can help you Top 50 Web Sites and Forums For Grief Counseling

Oh sugar ! Now is the time for sweaty delights ! It's Carnival time !

I had a great childhood. Tadpoles, trees, horses for a spell. We moved around every year or two and I LOVED that. I remember at twelve or so, flying by myself somewhere. (we didn't have to be chaperoned back then) The ticket agent asked me, 'smoking or non-smoking' I said, 'smoking' because that's where all the hip people were. I am thinking somewhere from 14-16, I was smoking. Started hanging out with dealers, poets, musicians and pimps, I was in such a hurry to be an adult.

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King Cakes are the sweet du jour. If you get the baby in your slice, you have the next party/buy the next King Cake.

I was so freaky about not being able to paint without a smoke in my mouth that I didn't address it for TEN months. Please don't wait that long. Start painting again NOW even if you make ugly (there is always gesso, lol). Waiting gave smoking too much power, I didn't need to do that. Here is a blog post when I was coming to terms with it My Life As One Big Smoke Trigger To tell you the truth, I was determined to 'get over it' but, my junkie voice was LOUD and I knew that if I didn't conquer it, I would return to smoking.

Congratulations Mister Jimmy and Quita ! Have a great celebration !

Blini

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Great to have you here, ICH. Your participation on the board is really appreciated. All of us quitters and all of the lurkers will benefit from your experiences. Tickers are good. For sure, the boost in self-confidence, the trust in oneself is a huge benefit of quitting. I was a 40 some odd year smoker, too, and what I once thought was self-confidence turned out to be a blustery bravado before I quit smoking. Would love to see your art. PM with a site ? Art really helped me through the early stages of quitting. Although, I was having a tough time working without a cheroot in my mouth, LOOKING and SEEING and finding BEAUTY when I was having a crave helped to switch up my brain receptors. I was all over 'that light on that leaf' etc. Your look/see skills will come in handy like mine did, for sure.

How are you doing, @Icanhike ? I see your weather is frigid and snowy. Stay warm and cozy and smoke free.

My Smut Sister, @Doreensfree is sleeping (ahem) but, I am wide awake and here is a photo. Pancake Day Pancakes....I would call them 'crepes' Hope you are feeling better @Lilly

I am a cold turkey success story. It isn't as hard as people make it out to be, it is just a matter of commitment, as is any quitting method. You must commit to NOPE. and educate yourself about the addiction so you can understand your journey. Yes, quitting, even with NRT's, is sometimes a rugged, grimy business but, it isn't horrible forever. Each day you can find some beauty and switch up your brain and in the long run, the freedom is delicious.

Good for you, Two months without cigarettes is a great thing.

There are a lot of good links on this thread that will be useful to you, Mona. Are you using NRT ? How long are you quit ? You can do this, Mona. IF you want to.

Traditionally, we don't have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, down here. We have adult beverages. lol

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Congratulations Wantsit on your Four Months of Freedom ! Rewards are necessary !

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Congratulations, Abbynormal on your TWO MONTHS of Freedom ! Continue to reward yourself, you are doing Great work.