I DID IT!!!!

   You might be able to tell that I am no longer baby-sitting for my grandkids---I have become a regular "chatty cathy" as of late! You might say that I am back in full force.

               Now, as to the title of today's topic. I have a meter that tells me how long it has been since I smoked. That meter now says...I have been quit for 1 Year, 8 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days, 10 hours, 56 minutes and 58 seconds (625 days). I have saved $1,641.81 by not smoking 21,890 cigarettes. I have saved 2 Months, 2 Weeks and 10 minutes of my life.

             Twenty Months. Awesome! I kept putting it off for years. My only excuse? The cigarettes were stronger than me. How did I know that if I never tried to quit? That's right, this is my FIRST TIME at quitting, and I hope it is my ONLY TIME of doing it. What finally worked? Sheer will power. I have beaten drugs and alcohol abuse in my lifetime, why not tobacco? I knew it could be done, and I would somehow do it.

                Well, before I start patting myself on the back too hard, I have a LOT of people to thank for helping me. The first, and closest would have to be my wife.....the constant threat of her doing REAL bodily harm to me was pure inspiration!! Thank you, dear! Next would be my oldest daughter, who has dogged me since she was eight years old to stop....you finally got through, girl.

                  And now to some special people, my "online family". Jean, I just don't have the words for all we have shared. Alece, same for you. Kilguard, I hope you are well. Marc, take a coffee break, and a bow. Michelle, Jen, you two are great, and I hope that all is well for both of you,also. You both hold a special place in my heart, just like little sisters. BOB, aka Mr. Death, what can I say, man? I knew you were "trouble" when I first met you!! (HAHAHA) I hope fortune smiles down upon you.

              Sally (Mustang Sally), I love ya' gal. Stay just like you are. Take care of those boys of yours. I haven't forgotten you.Tina, my "blondegirl" in Tennessee! I hope you are well. I would also like to send a shout-out to "Softmtnrain" in Kentucky. A beautiful lady tasked with taking care of the sick and injured. There are special places for "Angels of Mercy" like you. DKB's Nurse---please continue to keep me posted on your impending "arrival". I never tire of hearing from M'Lady Fair.

                 Mollie, my dear friend. I used to love your phone calls, just to talk about "stuff". I hope Florida is all you thought it would be, and more. Mairia, firey, flame hot Mairia! Go to your local market, and buy some "Earl Grey" english tea. Brew a nice hot cup in the late evening, and try to calm down. Things always even out in the end, they really do! You are a beautiful person, I have seen it, so I know it is there. Don't let people tell you there is something wrong with you, you are just special. No matter how much you hate me, I still admire you for who you are.

             There are so many others, I just can't get all of the names straight. For good, or bad, everyone who touched my life when I was quitting smoking played some part in that action, and I thank you all. I think the hardest part to get through was the death of my mother last June. I really wanted a smoke right then. But I had seen so many quitters fall by the wayside from just this sort of thing. Too much stress, and they turn to temporary comfort. I was determined NOT to do that. And I succeeded in not smoking. In the end, I won out over the cigarettes, and that is all that matters.

                  If you read this, and are contemplating quitting, please, don't keep putting it off! Do it now. Go buy some "Smoke Away". It worked for me. And no, I do not get paid for saying that.

 

         Holla' If You Hear Me!!!