03/27/2006 STATS PARADE

Well good morning Duffis, had to drop in to share this special day with my extended family. I am 1 yer old today so very happy for making the decision to quit :) Gooooood Morning! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 367 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 11,019 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1445.98 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 38 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 26 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14

Happy Birthday to me

Well folks its been a long a bumpy road to get to this birthday. I must say when I started this journey I never thought so much about me would change. Through finding the courage to face my addiction I have also faced several more of my fears. I am now working outside the house, and found the job on my own even! I am going to college online, going for an associate degree in health administration. For the first time in about 5 yrs. I can honestly depend on me again. Facing my addiction taught me a lot about me. The journey was not only body cleansing but mind cleansing as well. It seems the more you have to face life with a new attitude to get you through those rough spots, you change from inside, the negative has to make way for the positive influence. Wieght, wait.. who cares. I used to be one of those women that stared in the mirror, smoked 2 packs a day because i gain a few pounds, beat myself up mentally..how could I have let those pounds get on my hips... NO MORE!! I decided if positive talk got me through my quit, it could get me through anything. Now when I look in the mirror I smile and say, yes I am doing exercises to get fitter and to stay healthy. If i skip a few days, its okay, I no longer beat myself up but just tell myself, okay breaks over, you need to exercise to be healthy, so lets get a move on. I use that positive talk with my work, school work and home life as well.I try very hard to find the positive in all things, the negative is easy to find, the positive is there, if you look for it. Many of you may remember I quit because my mom's influence on me. She is doing pretty good, though she was put on oxygen last week. She simply waited too long to quit. But she celebrated her 1 yr birthday 2 months ago and I am very proud of her. I guess what I am trying to say here is this... Quitting is a journey, a life changing journey. You get out of life what you put into it, and this journey is no different. Be proud of who you are and where you came from, with each step forward mark it with praise, for every stumble, lift yourself up, brush off your knees and give yourself the love and support you need to continue on.Pretty soon life becomes much easier for you, because you choose it to be. Bad things happen, oh yes they do, but

WOW 2 years already!!

WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOTTTTT!!!!! ITs been a crazy roller coaster ride but... We ended on top!!! Congrats Sweety, GREAT JOB!!!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 757 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 22,724 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2982.58 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 82 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38

Penitent has 35 months!

WOW 3 yrs looks gorgeous on you :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 757 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 22,724 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2982.58 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 82 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 46

and suzy hit 2 years yesterday!

HEy Ladybugg..thank you sweety :) Been so busy had a hard time slipping back in here. Congrats to us all we have met our monsters and faced it, over and over, but that's okay because we are winning, every day we win!!! Love ya'll

What Momma taught me

When I came to this forum 3 years ago, it was because I had decided I was done with cigarettes. My mother had quit smoking at 72 yrs old, diagnosed with advanced emphysema cigarettes were killing her. I held Momma's hand last week as she drew her last laboured breath. Her lung capacity was down to 8 percent, the biopap machine was forcing them to expand enough to take in oxygen. It was her wish to die peacefully, not gasping for her last breath the way she had lived for the last year. It was a hard decision to make, but Momma had expressed she did not want to be on life support and that is what the bio pap machine had became. We children just had to decide when, the next several hours were the hardest hours of my life. The nurse started a morphine drip that eased her into a deep sleep, the steroids that had misshappened her arms to a grtesque bloated size where no longer administered, for they had ceased to help her lungs for over a week.Myself and family memebers held villigence as she slipped away from this mundane world. I was reminded during those hours of the strong woman she has always been, diggig fish ponds, training dogs and training and riding horses.Momma did not know the word impossible, she lived life the way she wanted, full of love and life,vibrant and alive. I am so very proud of Momma, she taught me how to live life, to embrace ife with all you have, to hold to those you love, support and nurture them along the way. Most expecially she taught me to believe in me, to live life the way I want it to be,not a slave to an addiction, but free and at peace with me. I love Momma and miss her every day, but she isnt struggling for breath any more and she can dance for hours now, no oxygen tank or shortness of breath to slow her down. I pray each of you who read this gain strength to carry on with your new lives. Happiness and love are not found in a drug but in our capacity to share them. In strength, love and kinmanship, suzy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/25/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1040 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 31,200 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4,097.60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 116 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40

What Momma taught me

Islandgirl, you stick with it! 8 days is a wonderful accomplishment, and I promise, as you grow stronger, the quit gets so much easier. Post and read here often, this is where I have came so many times in the past for support and knowledge. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, be strong and remember.. take good care of you too! suzy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/25/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1040 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 31,200 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4,097.60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 116 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 55 [B]Seconds:[/B] 5

What Momma taught me

Thank you all for your condolences,and you are absolutely right... I wanted to share that feeling of understanding, that moment of "got it" that revelation, that epiphany that was reveal to me during those hours. Now I carry her love like a banner proud and bold, and try to be careful no to branish it like a club, but sometimes, with those I care for who are still smoking...well thats another post I guess :) Oh Penit,I see you are still on the beach, awesome job Love :) Be strong and couragous, life is yours to live. suzy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/25/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1040 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 31,200 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4,097.60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 116 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

Sharing what works

Greetings again, it's great to come back to share information this is how we all learn to live better. Today I would like to share a little informationtion that I hope may aid you on your evolution in healing. A few months ago I found a few sites on Yoga and started doing some research, primarily because in the mornings the pain in my back and leg was such I dragged my foot to the desk where I promptly ate 4 alleves. To date I only use alleves once in a while, my breathing and endurance have both increased dramatically. my eating has changed to an only need to eat basis, I am much more conscious of how and what I eat now. More centered I can address other problems easily instead of allowing the frustration level to go through the roof. There are many free sites out there to help a seeker on their journey. They teach that Yoga "yokes" mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of the practioner to heal all aspects. There is no religous doctrine to follow, and is very nurturing and paced for all levels. Not sure if linkscan be posted, I will instead give a few search words that will help you. iyogalife yogabasics yogatoday Namaste [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/25/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1121 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 33,630 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4,416.74 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 126 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 38 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29

Hello, again!