Glory . . . tomorrow morning is my "quit," but I see you have a diet in mind for me??? I will be back on here early in the morning. You can bet on that!! I was unable to open the diet link. Thank you, and I will be whining away in the A.M. One more cigarette left in my pack. No more in the house. I'm ready to throw away the ashtray. Thank you, Everyone, for your wonderful support. I will write more tomorrow. Have a great night, and stay strong!! Kendall

Thank you, Karen! :-) And congratulations! Kendall [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Sandra . . . new candles! And do you know how long it's been since I actually purchased perfume? These are some wonderful ideas. I've also been scoping out some shower gel at Bath & Body Works. Why not enjoy smelling good again? I haven't had someone tell me how nice I smell in years and years and years. Thanks for your ideas, Sandra! Today is Day 1. I'm not feeling the greatest . . . Kendall [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Island Girl . . . thank you for your wonderful ideas and your kind thoughts. Ashtray is thrown away, no cigarettes left, tons of water in the refrigerator, and I skipped my morning coffee (just orange juice for me!). I picked up some licorice and my favorite hard candy last night. Mentally I'm feeling good, but I keep reaching for a cigarette which isn't there!! I'll keep you posted throughout the day. Best wishes! Kendall [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

BluePanda . . . I'm SO relieved to hear that this can happen . . . that there were a couple of days when you didn't miss your cigarette!! How wonderful that must feel! I can't wait to look forward to a taste other than smoke. Right now, though, I miss smoke. Thank you for the support. :-) Kendall [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Vick . . . not so good. I'm very ashamed of myself, for I had a "slip." I'm not going to call this a failure. I realize this is a part of the healing process. Still, all didn't go as well as I had expected. I made it until about 10:00 A.M., and I've been beating myself up. I feel that I've let everyone down. I want you to know that I'm renewing my determination to quit but pushing for 5/4. Tomorrow has "meaning" to me, and I realize this may help. I tend to be quite emotional and attach significance to dates. My son will turn 17 on 6/4. I quit tomorrow, and I will be smoke-free for 30 days on his birthday. This is so important to me. I'm very sorry I've let everyone down. I've learned something, though, and I'm asking for any advice. I have a trigger which I can't seem to get past. Coffee. I didn't make my usual pot of coffee this morning. This is how I've started my day for years!!! Orange juice wasn't "cutting it." I broke down and made some coffee . . . then, guess what?? It was unbearable. The coffee is leaving the house today. But I feel I need to replace it with something. Hot tea? Maybe? I'm planning on going to the grocery store later to try to find some flavored tea. So, here I am apologizing to everyone. Still, I'm letting you know I WILL do this. I will not fail at this. Tomorrow is VERY important to me (and is a significant "date"). Would anyone be available to IM me tomorrow in the morning hours? I would greatly appreciate it, and I know it will help me. I may be quite irritable without my coffee AND my cigarettes . . . but I know everyone here understands this. So . . . I've learned I also need caffeine in the morning, but I just can't quit that right now. I'm more concerned (MUCH MORE CONCERNED) with quitting the nicotine. Coffee is one of my major triggers, so I'm switching over to hot tea. I hope everyone is having a better day than me. :-) I won't let you (or myself) down twice, though. Everyone here has helped me to analyze my smoking. I've done this before, but never with the intensity or structure I'm doing now. Again, thank you. I'm going to hide in my shell now for awhile. Feeling pretty awful . . . Kendall

Kendall - How are you doing? Let us know! Vick

Kendall, Wow, such great posts and I can't really add much. I am excited for you and send you many virtual positive thoughts your way as you approach your quit tommorow. The stressed feeling you are haveing can only be compared to that of a race horse at the starting gate...you are about to run the race of your life and every part of you is tense in anticipation of that gate slamming open for you to take off. These first days are gonna be tough...but there is zero doubt in my mind that you can do this. We are here when you need us...just holler! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/29/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 34 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 348 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $54.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 48

Kendall, Don't be so hard on yourself. I've been exactly where you are and most people here can relate to how you're feeling right now. I'm glad that you've already set a new date, a new plan of action and have the right attitude for moving forward. I've relied on coffee stir sticks to help me with this quit and I discovered by accident that if I sip a bit of the hot coffee or tea thru the stir stick it gives me an odd sense of comfort. Maybe in the back of my mind the hot coffee being sucked thru the stir stick reminds me of the smoking sensation... I'm not sure what it is but I don't try to examine it too closely. I'm just thankful for any relief I find in whatever form it comes. Take care of yourself - you can do this! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 30 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 611 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $120 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 26

Kendall - Just wanted to let you know that I'm cheering you on! I also had a habit of lighting up right after my workout. I have replaced that cigarette with a peppermint and ice water. At first I resented doing that because I missed my cig. But, now I've found that I look forward to that refreshing taste and actually have had a couple days where I haven't even remembered or thought about the cig I was "missing" but just looked forward to the mint and ice water... I never thought that would happen! Do whatever it takes to keep the quit and Good Luck! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 30 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 607 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $120 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 52 [B]Seconds:[/B] 9