Sazerac

-18 hello brave, honest Stu Stick and all other smoke free beauties

why why why why why, bakon. why ? I give you the benefit of the doubt :P and pretend your post was -17 I am -18 and predicting a slow tortuous loss for the sticks like yesterday, the day before, the day before that...etc... etc..etc...ad infinitum...poor sticks. poor Defeated sticks. :(

-16 I was hoping it rhymed with cous cous or caboose. Some Canadians pronounce a sort of 'hoose' for house. maybe to rhyme with moose ? :P

-14 Does Scouse rhyme with mouse, or cous cous ?

-12 what's for tea, D ?

This is a really special time, Tiff. One that you may appreciate later. It was a time that I used to get current and very real, very honest with myself. Denial was trashed. Many of my personal myths were trashed because they no longer served me. It was a great cleansing of my spirit and highly emotional. But, eyes need to be watered with tears so they will grow. You will emerge like The Phoenix. oh, dear. another reference to Fire.

-10 poor sticks. glad Sonic enjoyed his long and slow spanking yesterday. :P

Keep whatever avatar is good for YOU ! What it reminds me of matters not. Cigarettes were so attractive to me for so, so long...it is great what they look like to me now. Regarding lighters; You know, I missed the ceremony of fire, especially early on. Fire is such an important element and I really needed to re-claim it, needed to remove it from the association of cigarettes. Now, I light smudges or incense or votive candles (when it gets cooler). I turned off the electric pilot on my stove so, I could light it. Gawd, I sound like a pyromaniac. :o

Dear Darling Smoke Free Creatures, Please put your quit dates in the Calendar We don't want to miss any reasons to celebrate !

oh dear :(

-8 hiya darling smoke free creatures :D

I love your quit too ! It is really inspiring. In your spare time, when you are resting from your ambitious new projects, :) would you be kind enough to post some of your tips on this thread, Quit Tool Boxes and also, Your First Days, Nicotine Free. These collections of our anecdotal evidence are really helpful. Have a Great weekend. Stay aware, protect your quit. Have more Fun.

me too, Doreen. I assume it says something cool but, I must tell you that seeing a photo of cigarettes is like looking at a pile of dog shit to me. On to the important stuff, How was your night and how is your day ? Protect your quit and have some fun. Rewards ?

This is a great collection of posts. What's in your tool box ? What else would you add ? In my tool box was desire, education, determination, distraction, a mantra of 'Free Your Head', water, satsumas, screaming hot showers, beautiful deep breaths of oxygen, cleaning... I would add Rewards , now that I know more about nicotine's theft of natural pleasure centers. ,

Sam's The Man ! :D

Day 11 nearing completion for you, D. Congratulations. I can imagine your family being So proud of you. Hold on to your resolve and come here for lots and lots of encouragement. You are a star. S

-7 :D

-6 can we just spank you throughout the day as we climb to yet another WIN so, you don't get bored, Sonic ? It would be a nice for you, I think. :)

It takes time and awareness to recognize junkie thoughts. Mine were pervasive and persuasive and it took work and time however, I am no special snowflake and I know mine weren't any louder or more dominant than other addicts. I admit to being in denial for too long a time, especially in the first throes of my quit. Now, junkie thoughts leap out at me in capital red letters, I think they do for many quitters. But, it wasn't very long ago that I was in the process, like you are, of identifying and changing my thought patterns. The longer you are quit, the easier it is to separate yourself from smoking and see it for what it really is. Time is on your side, Tiff. p.s. Is there a meaning behind your new avatar ?

Quitting isn't impossible. All you need is to make a concerted effort and Try. You have nothing to fear , not a thing to loose. Quitting is one of the most interesting things I have ever done. Interesting in the way I have gotten to know myself, interesting in the way of learning new techniques for dealing with the haps of life, and interesting in the way of unexpected benefits. It continues to be a rewarding journey of discovery.

-5 that's the spirit, Sonic ! :D

N O P E

Possibly but, a Goluptious falderal, silly.

Great News, Evelyn. NOPE NOPE NOPE and don't forget to reward yourself.

-4 hiya Daisy