Sazerac

hour doodle, water colour pencils on 12"x12"canvas. I'll spend tomorrow's hour or more on it tomorrow. It might turn into something, or not. Doesn't matter. The point was in the doing. It was SO hard to get started.

I stayed away from alcohol for a short time and surprisingly, it didn't matter. My resolve was steadfast. That is the point, your resolve, your commitment to yourself to never take another puff is the key component. You might find this post helpful to you 10 Ways To Effectively Use This Forum Congratulations Nik, on your decision to quit smoking. I am so glad you found us . We will help you anyway we can.

Welcome Matt and congratulations on quitting smoking. It is one of the very best decisions you will ever make in your life. Be extra kind to yourself. You may find this post helpful 10 Ways To Effectively Use This Forum Remember, a crave is not a command and every crave you conquer will re-route your brain. Stay close, there are lots of successful quitters who will help you along the way. S

bump what worked for you ?

You know, I am still so thankful for quitting smoking. Good to hear you, Parsley.

This is splendid news, M'life. Non smokers ARE calm. The junkie isn't ruling our lives anymore. I am so proud of you and you are so right, hangovers are better smoke free, still can pack a punch but a lot easier than a smokey hangover too. Soon, people smoking everywhere will just be disgusting and not a temptation AT ALL. Poor sods. Sending encouragement for the week ahead and looking forward to your posts. S

Thank you so much for your post, @Wee fluffy me ! Your presence here is really appreciated and I am so glad you quit smoking !

I need a muse also. In fact, I need a train load of muses to get me up off my rusty dusty. When are we starting this ? Monday ?

I will join you in the challenge. One Hour ? Drawing/painting or writing a short piece we could switch it up depending on mood or location. Ideas for subjects....plenty of darling smoke free creatures to think of plenty of subjects...maybe one day is self portrait day either paint or words. One hour a day ? I'll try. what is the first challenge ? when do we start ? who else is in ?

Congratulations Kelly ! How are you feeling ?

Well, you can see why I am not to be trusted with dates. A day late and a month early. Cristóbal's six year anniversary is next month. October 14. Never too early to celebrate, right !?

September 14, 2018 marks SIX years of freedom for our great friend, Cristóbal. He has been incredibly influential in many, many people's quits, including mine. He has so many great posts, you can stroll through them all Cristóbal's Topics. Your Quit & Your Life -The Proper Sequence is one of my favourites. Sending him lots of love and best wishes. mucho amor y mejores deseos Love, S

Happy Birthday, Jane ! Celebrate wildly ! I'll bring the band

We can delay our response to stressful situations until we are quite removed from them. Then, afterwards feeling proud and calm , get hit broadside and feel the impact. You are wrenching yourself away from Nicotine, this is a very big deal. Take really good care of yourself. These are not just words to slough off, you must nurture and reward yourself, especially now. Your brain is learning a whole new way of living, a whole new set of responses will be ignited. Have you read this ? The Significance of Rewards I am so happy, @Parsley that you reached out. Don't forget we are all on your side, for true. s

All I know is a lot of power is out and the rain keeps a falling. Levi will have information in an hour.

@Parsley ! What were the factors behind you thinking you could not quit ? It would be very useful to you and to other quitters reading for you to communicate this. Please reward yourself for winning this skirmish ! You quit smoking and are stronger than any damn crave !

Hello Tammy, Congratulations on your fine sturdy quit. Our addict voice, once so dominant is slowly being quieted. I don't think it ever becomes completely silenced, at least I hope it doesn't because we will always be one puff away from reigniting our addiction. The voice has no power anymore but, I make it serve me as a warning, a reminder. Do not be surprised at a weird crave, out of the blue or during times you haven't thought about smoking for months...years. Addiction doesn't go away. We can put it into a deep sleep but still....one puff and we are slaves again. You said, "I fight for my quit everyday, because my quit is fighting for me!!! " Stay vigilant. The war is winding down but intermittent skirmishes can be dealt with by and by. You have ALL the power now. You Win. This post, Red Flags may be helpful in identifying unhelpful thoughts. We all had/have them. Also, some people have another hurdle around three months when the 'shine' is gone from the quit leaving us a bit vulnerable, have a stroll through No Man,s Land and another No Man's Land Thank you for your energy here Tammy. Your quit has been so useful to so many. S

Your dialogs are so useful to anyone quitting or, wanting to quit . Thank you so much for your insight, M'life. I think every addict believes their case is special, that their case is the exception. Part of our solidarity here is about admitting that we are basically all the same and all have similar issues that dealing honestly with our addiction exposes. None of us are special snowflakes. I will look up some old posts about 'snowflakes', older quitters blazed that trail for me even when I thought I was a 'special case' too. My addiction was, of course, more addictive than other peoples. You can hear how ridiculous that sounds ! I am happy to share my big girl clothing with you. They are community property after all, and albeit tattered from some needed tough love, remain plenty sturdy enough. lol. Here are the results of a 'special snowflake' search. We all dabbled in our 'specialness'

Hey ! Happy glorious eight years ! I miss you.

It's September and still hot hot hot. I wait for the first cold snap. Make a fire and burn my summer clothes.

Going to be a long few days for people. Above: Eye of Hurricane Florence as seen on Wednesday morning, September 12, 2018, from the International Space Station. Image credit: Alexander Gerst. Just found this, it has live satellite images.

You don't smoke anymore, M'life ! and each moment, each day will add to your confidence. Smoking is something you used to do, Now, you are a free woman. Congratulations !

This is a huge accomplishment, Christa and all of us are so proud of you. Thank you for your contributions, you are a great inspiration to other quitters, old and new.

Congratulations, garry, on your two years of freedom. I am glad you joined the forum, your experience makes us stronger, thank you. Please celebrate wildly !

Here's the 2pm ET update from NHC.