Dutchess66

Nice topic. I don’t miss: The panic when I almost ran out of cigs at night. The smell I had around me. The people feeling sorry for me. My empty wallet. My ailing health. But the worst thing was the shame. The shame I could not quit te cigs while knowing they were killing me. Dutchess

Hi Mollie, Thank you for your kind words. Soon it will be your turn! Wow, both grandparents from Friesland, the Netherlands. So somehow we share the same roots right? Have a nice day! Dutchess

Dear Lin, That sounds like a very good idea. And in the meantime we can celebrate many other anniversaries! Helping other quitters is a very important thing. It is something you are very good at. Looking forward to a new year with new adventures. For better and for worse. Hugs, Dutchess

My dear friends, Thank you all very much for your kind words. It has been a very difficult journey for me, but I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. The reward is so very beautiful! My health is better, my wallet is fuller, I have new friends: you!. A place like this (and the old QSMB) means a lot to me. Although it is sometimes hard for me to express myself as I would like, please understand and be patient with me because English is not my native language. Today my family and I went out for dinner to celebrate this wonderful achievement. The picture (made by my husband) I send you was made on the SS Rotterdam, she is resting in the port of Rotterdam, but stil has a Lido Deck. So please dig in and enjoy! Love, Dutchess

Hello from me too!

Dear Beazel, What can I say to a fellow quitter who just settled in on the Lido Deck? You are a hero! Tonight we remember the tough moments, but also the moments of freedom. You are right: the monster still hides somewhere, but not tonight. This is your day of glory! I really hope you enjoy it to the full. Please be invited to the next party ;-) Love, Dutchess

This is getting really serious. After attending the Matthäus Passion last Sunday, this is maybe even more, well, serious? Can I do something for the event for Beazel tomorrow? Shall I provide the drinks again? Dutchess

Dear friends, Thank you all for your kind reactions. I did not write this because I felt sorry for myself. But I was somewhat surprised that even after almost one year of being smoke free, one can still dream so vivid about smoking. Today a smoking friend and I went to the Matthäus Passion of J.S Bach in a midieval church nearby including diner etcetera, In short: the works. She had to smoke when there was an opportunity. I felt no regrets really. Only freedom. The concert was heaven. Dutchess

Hi Gordo, Congratulations for making the decision to make the journey to freedom. The things you describe are part of the job, but we can promise you: they will go away in time. Some fast, some slow, but this is the way to go. :-) Dutchess

Can you believe this? With my anniversary in sight I dreamed I had thrown away my quit for no particular reason. I felt very sad, but I knew there was no way back at that time. I woke up in a shock. I even smelled my fingers for traces of tobacco smell. Thank goodness, no harm was done. But still it was a warning I think to keep up the guards. The addiction still lives in my head somewhere, although mostly quietly these days, and then suddenly it tells me that it is still there. Have a nice day! Smoke free of course. Dutchess

Wow... against all odds, but you did it. Respect! Dutchess

Hi Jordan, This is what I call ‘making an entrance’. ? Nevertheless: happy belated anniversary! Dutchess

Hi there! So you where on the Lido Deck without knowing it? Wow... Dutchess

Hi Mollie!

Dear Lin, Today is the day: you did it! You found your way to beat the beast for a whole year and in the mean time you helped so many other people. I hope your deck chair is comfortable and please enjoy this beautiful day. So very proud!!! Love, Dutchess

Glad you made it!

Did anyone of you watch the broadcast on the BBC last night? I have no idea whether this programme is on TV in the US, but last night I almost cried my eyes out. So heart breaking... Dutchess.

Just on my way to the groceries store for some lemonade, apple cider and of course, champagne. Dutchess

After weeks of trying, refreshing and searching I finally found some of my old friends back. So glad too to be able to participate in the festivities of my good friend Lin very soon. I hope you will have me here. Dutchess Quit date 17-03-2017