There is a truism in golf. Whenever you miss a shortish putt, you can guarantee that on the next hole you will be faced with a similar shot...it is a psychological war!

 

Tomorrow, La Bandita and I are flying to Prague for a few days. I used to live there, and La B has never been. Tomorrow will be her 10 months from quitting. All good.

 

This morning I had a text from my Mum. She lives alone in Cyprus. She is in hospital. A nose that won't stop bleeding. She has COPD. Not quite so good.

 

I spoke with her and her nose has been packed, (very painful, I'm told) and she is likely to be there for a few days. We discussed me coming to Cyprus and decided no. Not right now. However, clearly some big discussions and decisions will need to be made pretty soon.

 

Still with me? Finally..the test.

 

As you may imagine, I'm concerned about my Mum. Worried. Stressed. Upset. Yep all of those.

 

I started packing for the trip to Prague and dug out a good coat, suitable for a Czech winter. What should be in the pocket? Why 20 Rothmans of course.

 

Feeling stressed, La Bandita out, just me and this unexpected packet of cigarettes.

 

What else could possibly happen?

 

I opened the packet, pulled the foil, and held the packet under the tap, before throwing them in the bin.

 

How the **** was a cigarette going to help me?

Prayers for your Mum and Cheers for you !

 El B & The Lady B don't smoke.

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Yep

 

I mean NOPE...

 

Oh you know what I mean!

No worrying me, I'm getting old!!

 

((bandit)) I know you hate the hug thing and all, but strength being sent to you and healing to your mum. xx

Never doubted for a moment that you would pass that test!  Well done Bandit!

 

Prayers for your Mum.  xx

Marti

 

Thank you sweetheart.

 

Put all the energy into the healing please.

 

We can hug once she is better.

 

The silver lining is that I had motive (woe is me I'm stressed) and opportunity (found pack of favourite brand) and really only had a fleeting thought of a smoke. When the chips were down, I wanted the quit more than the smoke. All should take strength from that I think.

Stu, so sorry to hear about your mum.  Sending healing prayers for her.

 

Tell Mrs. Stu congratulations on her 10 month anniversary!

 

Bravo for you soaking the Rothmans!  NOPE NOPE NOPE

EB, prayers for yor mom hope she gets better soon, and congrats on soaking the cigs. You The Man !!!!

Soaked and binned and then honestly never crossed my mind until I posted here...

I never doubted you, you wouldn't think to smoke one, those days are done. 

 

x

Aww stu.....mixed post with mixed emotions.....

Sorry to hear ...your mum is not too good.....I pray things improve....

Congrats to La B a great achievement.....

Wow finding cigs in a pocket.....now there's a crap reminder of a life you have left behind.....No way would you have smoked....

Your too smart for that.....no brackets my dear friend.....just my best wishes to you ..

And a sneaky few xxxxxxx

Well done stu, sorry about your mum

 

Hugs and prayers, not too big for either!!

 

Xxx

Stu, healthy vibes for your mom. I know you wouldn't smoke those. Imagine how it would feel. I always think of a quit in reverse. No more good health, good skin, back to clogged lungs, bad teeth, coughing, fear. Eeeuuu.

I will pray for comfort and healing for your Mom.

 

Good for you...but of course you would not smoke.

 

Congratulations to La Bandita!

 

I hope you can enjoy your trip without too much worry!  We will be thinking of you, and please post pics!

I like and also dislike your post. Hope your mum is better soon. Congratulations on holding firmly to your fantastic quit! :)

So sorry to hear about your mom EL B, sending prayers for her and your family, 

 

Congrats to you an mrs EL B on your 10 months quit,  congrats to you for not smoking those found in your pocket,  but then you wouldn't smoke, you're quit.

Hope your mum gets better soon. .. and its amazing that you were able to hold firmly and not giving in .. keep it up :)

Bravo Stu!

 

Best wishes to your mother, and congratulations to your la Bandita :)

Sorry to hear about your mom. Congrats on Mrs. B's 10 months and good for you on soaking the cigs.

Don't know rothman but know it's not sausages or they would all be in your belly even if mrs was home. I figured that's what you hide in your good coat. Candy in the other.

 

Almost didn't read when I saw golf. Thought this is going to be boring. Paint drying fun.

 

But you don't fail to suprise with making no sense between topic and actual post.

Great job buddy and I will take a hug too from you. (Or smarti)

As I was saying...when you get over one test, another comes along. Prague was fun. Visiting old haunts.

 

Pulled up a chair in my favourite Irish pub chatting to a barman that I knew 15 years ago...

 

Had to cut it short, the smell of smoke in the bar was unbearable and was catching in my throat.

 

How things have changed! The lack of an effective anti-smoking lobby was one of the things I cherished about Prague, now it's one of the very few irritants about the place...

Did an old haunt two nights ago- could cut the smoke with a chain saw. Had a headache after two beers so figured I was drinking too slow....but once outside it cleared except for the smell. Had to shower and wash clothes before going to bed. Fun watching tv in the dark naked downstairs though waiting on washer to end cycle.

A mental image that I could have lived without....

invite me as a guest and I will ballsak the entire livingroom, or half it, so you don't know if the chair your in was done or not

what makes you think that your equipment would be the first on those chairs?  :P