Nancy

I'm not sure how long you have to be quit...it may vary by company. I just waited until after a year to ask, because I felt pretty sure that was long enough...

Okay, I will try to answer. I don't know why you are so thirsty, but I do know it is very common when quitting. Don't worry about weight right now...we certainly have no way to predict how much you will gain. I gained 8 pounds but now weigh less than before I quit. Right now, eat whatever you want...the quit is most important. Tell your mother, because you are not allowed to "slip". There is no such thing as "slipping", that implies an accident and smoking is a decision. Only you can determine if you can drive safely, but I expect if you are very careful, you will be fine. I had a bracelet engraved with NOPE=Freedom on the outside, and Not One Puff Ever, and One puff away from a pack a day on the inside

Amazing. I just learned that my life insurance premium dropped from $97.39 per month to $51.19 because I quit smoking!!

My stomach hurts from laughing...should not have read this at work....

Well done, Lady Bug!!

No smoking for me!!

Beautiful, Sarge!!!

Beacon...are you waiting to unveil this svelte body on your big day? Just saying...your avatar has looked a little chunky lately...so funny!

I have not had a lot of luck with fresh fish where I am...except for a very expensive shop that makes trips to the Gulf each week...but that is for a treat. If I purchase from local supermarket, sometimes it is good, and other times very fishy. Your recipe is like we cook when we are in Destin...yummy!

We love this recipe...and we buy the tilapia frozen at Sam's (sorry Sazerac, we don't live on the coast!). The only thing we do differently, is that my husband cooks it on the grill on a really hot pan in olive oil... And while I am totally disgusting Sazarac...we also like the frozen breaded flounder from Sam's because it is so easy..we just pop two pieces in the toaster oven, and serve with baked sweet potato fries and a salad...

Let's celebrate, again, making it to the one year mark! Colleen led the way, and Gemzee closed us out!! Good for us!! It has been my pleasure to be on this ride with all of you! So proud of all of us!!

Oh, Marti...that describes the feelings so accurately. Beautiful!

Thank you!!

I happen to be the resident ticker expert! See below: You make your own ticker...If you want one similar my top one click on mine, it will take you to the Ticker Factory website. Click All Tickers on the right, and then Event under Wedding, Birthday, Anniversary, and you can choose your own wording, etc. You enter your information and create your ticker. Then, copy the address they give you. Come back here and click on My Profile (in drop down by your name) and the click Edit Profile. Select signature on the left side, and then paste the address in the signature box. When you click Save Changes the ticker appears! Just a note…The ticker doesn't always show up on the smartphone version of the posts, but you will be able to see it appear on the PC and tablet versions. If you want one similar my bottom one go to Tina's Quit Meter Create your ticker, and instead of copying the address, right click on the ticker and Copy Image, and then come paste in signature box. Lots of us have two tickers because we like the pretty top one, but like that the bottom one keeps track of the cigs we have not smoked and the money. I hope this helps! Another one that is popular comes from TickerClub. Go there and choose the Smoking category. Make your ticker, copy address, come back to Edit signature and paste address...when you click Save Changes your ticker will appear!

Oh, Sharon! He has been through so much, as have the family...hopefully now that they know for sure what they are dealing with, he will get better very quickly. Thank you for keeping us posted!

Marti, would you please consider posting that in Quit Smoking discussions so that everyone will be sure to see? It is wonderful!

1. Read a book. 2. Wash the car. 3. Wash the dog. 4. Go for a walk. 5. Knit a scarf. 6. Do a crossword puzzle. 7. Take a nap. 8. Call a friend. 9. Stop and smell the roses...or the delicate scent of apples that you couldn't appreciate as a smoker. 10. Play with the cat. 11. Turn the bathroom into a spa and relax and rejuvenate. 12. Listen to a relaxation tape or some favorite music. 13. Go the the gym and work out. 14. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure. 15. Watch a funny movie on TV. 16. Bake a cake. 17. Go to a movie at the theater. 18. Window shop at the mall. 19. Do a jigsaw puzzle online at Jigzone.com 20. Breathe deeply! 21. Drink some ice water. 22. Jump on a treadmill and work up a sweat. 23. Give someone you love a huge hug. 24. Plant some flowers. 25. Go fishing. 26. Plan a vacation. 27. Take up a new hobby/interest. 28. Work in the garden. 29. Can pickles. 30. Suck on a piece of TART candy. 31. Slather on rich, creamy hand lotion and rub, rub, rub! It keeps fingers busy, and reminds you how nice it is not to have tobacco stink on them. 32. Eat a popsicle. 33. Floss and brush your teeth. 34. Cuddle up with your love. 35. Chew gum. 36. Do the laundry. 37. Spend time with a child. 38. Give yourself a treat every day of your quit - no matter how small. 39. Spend an hour filling and enjoying the paddling pool in the garden on a gorgeous sunny day. 40. Play a game of internet scrabble. 41. Create a list of small treats for #38 above. 42. Get your jammies on early, and park yourself in front of your computer for the night. 43. Build something with wood. 44. Refinish a piece of furniture. 45. Digitize the family photos. 46. Paint a room in the house with a faux finishing technique. 47. Create a family cookbook. 48. Try a new exercise routine. 49. Make a terrarium. 50. Whistle! 51. Practice smiling in the mirror (releases endorphins)! 52. Make lists of pros and cons of smoking. 53. Find gross smoking disease pictures. 54. Start a sewing project. 55. Spend some time scrapbooking. 56. Get a camera, and take some pictures. 57. Write a letter. 58. Clean out the closets or overflowing drawers in the house. 59. Crank up the radio and sing at the top of your lungs (works great for driving craves). 60. Crank up the music and dance like no one is watching. 61. Create a puzzle from a family photo. 62. Organize your boxes of pictures. 63. Alphabetize your book shelves. 64. Volunteer somewhere in your community. 65. Clean the car, inside and out. 66. Do your nails. Hard to smoke with wet nails. 67. Take a shower. 68. Take a candle-lit bath. 69. Wax the car. 70. Take a day trip. 71. Try making home-made candles or soap. 72. Run in place. 73. Do some jumping jacks. 74. Start a reward fund - put away the amount you spend on smokes every day and use for those daily treats. 75. Write a poem. 76. Go antique shopping. 77. Start a vegetable garden. 78. Go to church/talk to God. 79. Let your husband cook supper for you. 80. Call your Grandmother! 81. Paint a picture. 82. Eat a hot fudge sundae. 83. Go play mini-golf. 84. Clean the basement or garage. 85. Write a short story. 86. Try a new recipe. 87. Scrub the floor. 88. Treat yourself to a massage. 89. Chop up some veggies for a stir-fry - keep your hands busy! 90. Make a to-do list for the week ahead. 91. Check your car's tire pressure. 92. Start a home budget. 93. Ride a bike. 94. Spend some time in nature. 95. Watch the sun set. 96. Write a goodbye letter to cigarettes 97. Donate blood. 98. Color your hair. 99. Make a greeting card. 100. Write a list of things you are grateful for. The final suggestion in our list comes in the form of a story... 101. Run around in the sand in your socks! And post, post, post...that is why we are here!!

I am eating a lot more fish...trying to do 5 fish meals a week...

We are warming up...three days to go!

Remember, a crave is not a command. Real craves only last 3-5 minutes, and you can stand anything for that long. Try deep breathing...or go for a brisk walk...this will pass.

Good to hear from you and that all is well!

No luck needed...just dedication to Not One Puff Ever...just for today, or this minute. You have promised that for today, you will not put anything in your mouth and set it on fire. Good for you!

Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day!