Based on what a lot of us have spent or are spending on cigarettes, we could probably pool our saved moneys and in a few years buy a small home/apartment in Southern Italy or Sicily. A Gente di Mare Timeshare! Now how cool is that?!

Biff

Now there is an idea worth saving for!!!

When I quit before, I learned to realize what my triggers were, talking on the phone, driving, the computer, after a meal.......and it wasn't the actual cigarette I missed, but having something in my hand. So I substituted Twizzlers for cigarettes...and it worked, until my hubbie came home from work one day with a cigarette in his mouth....
I had banned ANYONE from smoking around me or in the house, and as we had quit together, my resolve went right out the window when he "lit up" again.

Funny, all my kids grew up around smokers, yet none of them smoke....
my one son will throw a fit if you light one up in the car.....it could be 20 below out and he would roll down the window and lecture you on polluting his lungs with second hand smoke.

My husband had tried the Chantix, gave him very vivid nightmares....so he wouldn't take it after that.
Lee

All these wonderful ideas on how to stop smoking... But I was a three packs a day person for many, many years, and I didn't WANT to give up!

I rarely drank alcohol - not that I didn't like it - it didn't really interest me. The last time I went to a cinema was to see the 'premier' of JAWS (late 70's??)!!! I worked hard, sometimes 16-18 hours a day, travelled with my job often driving (or flying) up to 1500 miles a WEEK!

Now with such an exciting life - why the hell would I want to give up the one thing that provided me with some pleasure? And don't try and tell me (you smpkers out there) that you've not used similar arguments/reasons for your smoking habit. Oh - I forgot one... I paid for my cigarettes and I told 'others' who didn't like me smoking that when THEY paid for my fags then they could tell me what to do! (Bet that sounds familiar too - am I right?)

Early grave? Early schmave.... NOT ME! At least not 'til 31st March 2004!!!

That's when - having paid a 'deposit' on my house here in Italy - I was preparing to return to the UK to pack everything up and move.... BUT that night I had a massive heart attack and spent the next couple of weeks in the 're-animation' unit closed into an 'oxygen helmet'. My son was told to come to Milan in the next 36 hours if he wanted to say goodbye! Well - long story short - after those days in re-animation, then a further three weeks on the regular cardiac ward, and THEN another two months at a cardiac rehabilitation clinic just outside Milan - the thought of lighting up another cigarette never crossed my mind ONCE!

And this was my celebration on my April 'blog' on that fact on 1st April this year....

Sunday, April 01, 2007
Another year - HOORAY!



Yep...another year without 'the weed'!

I've now gone for THREE YEARS (at 11.45pm last night) without lighting up a fag!

No - I'm not going to say it was easy...well it was when I was in hospital thinking that 'My Maker' had come for me - but gradually that addiction and need lessened to the point that now I can freely admit (to myself) that "I don't smoke"....now that can't be bad.

Just think, if I had still been playing at being a chimney then I wouldn't have been able to get the house painted ...but I suppose I could have puffed smoke over the walls and had a delicate nicotine hue on the walls - hahaha

It still doesn't bother me at all when others smoke near me....It's even sort of nice (?) sometimes just to smell tobacco smoke. I can say that now because I KNOW I'll never be tempted again.

posted by Carole B @ 10:05 AM 4 comments links to this post

Biff83 wrote:

Based on what a lot of us have spent or are spending on cigarettes, we could probably pool our saved moneys and in a few years buy a small home/apartment in Southern Italy or Sicily. A Gente di Mare Timeshare! Now how cool is that?! Biff

That is just about the coolest idea ever!!

Carole wrote:

All these wonderful ideas on how to stop smoking... But I was a three packs a day person for many, many years, and I didn't WANT to give up! I rarely drank alcohol - not that I didn't like it - it didn't really interest me. The last time I went to a cinema was to see the 'premier' of JAWS (late 70's??)!!! I worked hard, sometimes 16-18 hours a day, travelled with my job often driving (or flying) up to 1500 miles a WEEK! Now with such an exciting life - why the hell would I want to give up the one thing that provided me with some pleasure? And don't try and tell me (you smpkers out there) that you've not used similar arguments/reasons for your smoking habit. Oh - I forgot one... I paid for my cigarettes and I told 'others' who didn't like me smoking that when THEY paid for my fags then they could tell me what to do! (Bet that sounds familiar too - am I right?) Early grave? Early schmave.... NOT ME! At least not 'til 31st March 2004!!! That's when - having paid a 'deposit' on my house here in Italy - I was preparing to return to the UK to pack everything up and move.... BUT that night I had a massive heart attack and spent the next couple of weeks in the 're-animation' unit closed into an 'oxygen helmet'. My son was told to come to Milan in the next 36 hours if he wanted to say goodbye! Well - long story short - after those days in re-animation, then a further three weeks on the regular cardiac ward, and THEN another two months at a cardiac rehabilitation clinic just outside Milan - the thought of lighting up another cigarette never crossed my mind ONCE! And this was my celebration on my April 'blog' on that fact on 1st April this year.... Sunday, April 01, 2007 Another year - HOORAY! Yep...another year without 'the weed'! I've now gone for THREE YEARS (at 11.45pm last night) without lighting up a fag! No - I'm not going to say it was easy...well it was when I was in hospital thinking that 'My Maker' had come for me - but gradually that addiction and need lessened to the point that now I can freely admit (to myself) that "I don't smoke"....now that can't be bad. Just think, if I had still been playing at being a chimney then I wouldn't have been able to get the house painted ...but I suppose I could have puffed smoke over the walls and had a delicate nicotine hue on the walls - hahaha It still doesn't bother me at all when others smoke near me....It's even sort of nice (?) sometimes just to smell tobacco smoke. I can say that now because I KNOW I'll never be tempted again. posted by Carole B @ 10:05 AM 4 comments links to this post

Carole, first of all congrats on the THREE YEARS!!! That is wonderful!

I have known people who were given the same sort of "give it up or else" ultimateum and have chosen to ignore it. You showed so much strength in your decision to quit and never look back, I look to you as an example (and I sure do need one right about now, it is kind of rough at the moment).

Thanks everyone for all your advice and support, you all really are giving me strength!

*Giant Hug*

Well, Jim I am glad you are stopping! Carole, Biff, congrats to you too. I will never smoke! I buried 2 grandfathers, and listen to my mom hack and cough everyday. Please all you smokers try to stop, we are all here to help, and think about how your kids would love that.

I don't smoke, I have smoked my first cigarette to 12/13 and then I have decided that didn't like me...
My youth father smoked 2 packages of Marlboro a day, him decided to stop because the bellows were as those of an old man.
He ate packages of candy, it put in mouth of it 2/3 to the time. Even this method can help you.

I am trying to find things to do to make me not think about smoking, like cook... about the only thing I am good at baking is my Cherry Cheesecake (I even crush my own graham crackers by hand). The different thing is that the cherries are inside the cake, my family goes nuts for it, and since I need to occupy myself a bit more than usual I made two of these last night...









yeap ... Riccardo was spot on, the weight should start piling on now...

(I am 6' 150 so it might take a while, think of all the fun I can have in the mean time!)

WOW!! Those look great. Cheesecake is another weakness of mine!! I'd like a slice, please!

OMG James..They look amazing! Can you post the recipe for it? If we make it over there James, you know you have to bake for us, right?

My absolute favorite........cheesecake......yummy!!!!!!
And those look sooo good.....
Can ya figure out a way to send me some???

On another note........I am going to try this one more time......I have two packs left, and I am not going back for more. Seeing the weekly cost added up over a years time is a real eye opener, I can think of numerous things to spend two grand on!!!!!

And I still have hard candy from my earlier attempt this year......now Biff...
can ya get started on that "time share".......
Lee

Lee I was thinking the same thing. I have one pack left..tonight at mid night maybe?

Of course, I'll have to send everyone to my mom's for a few days..I can just tell what kind of a mood I'm going to be in!

wldspirit wrote:

My absolute favorite........cheesecake......yummy!!!!!! And those look sooo good..... Can ya figure out a way to send me some??? On another note........I am going to try this one more time......I have two packs left, and I am not going back for more.

I wish I could!! Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts too! (and these are mega rich, I don't mix in Sour Cream like so many people do)

That's fantastic Lee that you are going to try again, it's really tough I know, never give up trying!

Nuccia.....we talked about this earlier in the year, of course I failed....but now with so many of us......why not give it another shot??

And think of the extra money to be saved!!! Had I done this two years ago....I already would have been to Italy and back again.......

As for being a "moody witch" with a capital B....I've been one all week.....so I might as well have another reason to play Oscar the Grouch...

And with Lou's recent heart problems, well it's just another motivator.....
like James said, never give up trying......WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!
Lee

Wow James!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

A man who's able to cook such a wonderful cake.... James, do you want to marry me?!?