Oh I am so glad I have made it to a new day, and still smoke-free. What a wonderful thing. I love to be a non-smoker. Thank you all so much for yesterday. I really needed it. Although I am not sure why it was so important and bothering me so much yesterday. Each day is about the same, just some days seem much harder to get through. Hubby and I are working on moving out of this place, to where we have more room and are happier. I can't wait!! Since the wedding in '04 we have been living with my family and it is so not good for us. As soon as we are able to come up with the money, we are outta here. Thank the good Lord above that we were able to quit smoking!! That should give us the money we need to get out of this place. I love to be around my mom and dad, we missed them (as did the kids) when we were out of the provice, but we have had more than enough. We have learned that we want to be near them to visit, but not with them all the time. We have been feeling helpless, like we can't care for our family since being here, but getting an apartment and getting out is just so darn hard. We need help and since we have never really asked for it before, we don't know how to start, or accept it. Any ideas? Or maybe someone knows of a magic money tree we can use till we are on our feet?? [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/15/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 31 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 786 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $255.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 45 [B]Seconds:[/B] 47

When did this happen. One day, this quit became easier. Accomplish-able. (That's probably not a word, eh?) Life is hard. This quit is just something that I have to do to get through life, to be where I want to be. But why is it, that no matter how hard I try the people I love don't seem to notice. Aside from my hubby, who quit 4 days after me, not one person I know has asked how I am doing with my quit. I know, I should be doing this for me, not for the accolade, but it would be so nice to have the people I love notice that I am a month into this. But to them, the process is over. I haven't had a smoke in awhile, so I quit. That's the end of it. HA, Yeah right! This feeling all started because of my little brother. I hate how he acts (he's 25). Everyone I know looks at me as though I always mess up. I had a baby at 15, dropped out of school, and have been in bad relationship after bad relationship. But at the moment, I am 27. I got my GED in 1999, am now a Certified Bookkeeper, married to a very good man (we have been together for 6 years now), 2 beautiful kids, and I spend each day taking care of those around me. But, no matter what I do now in my life, everything I am judged by is what happened in my past. I never hear good job for anything. But, little bro who is on baby number 2 with girl number 2 ( at least, he won't admit to one so this may be number 3), who finally got his GED after he was bought the study book, driven there and someone else paid it for him, who is sitting on welfare, but staying with mom and dad and working, or driving everyones vechicles with no license or insurance. How does he get away with it? I try to live life by the rules (at least most of them) and can't get anywhere. Maybe, I should do what he is doing. It seems to work for him. But I can't do that because it's not right. All I want is for my family to be proud of me for a change. Instead, they look at me like I am the loser. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I need to get away from them. It's killing me here. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/15/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 30 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 759 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $247.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34

Some times people don't ask about the quit because they for whatever reason are uncomfortable asking. You have gotten some wonderful feed back I just wanted to add for me I am really facing the realties of life now and making hard choices. For one, limiting my time aroung people that are not supportive and accepting them for who they are. Disappointing sometimes but necessary. Also being a little older I have already accepted that life and acceptance or the perception of acceptance is easier for some. But you know the quit is wonderful I am so absolutley tickeled with myself and you. What a wonderful job you are doing. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/15/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 30 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 619 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $90 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 28 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

First of all, congrats on the 30 days! You are doing great. People who have never smoked do not understand. Just like I don't understand the herione addiction. This website is your support group. Everyone here understands, from several different states, countries, stages of the quit, etc. Quit worrying about everything else. Feel blessed that you have this website. As for the rest of your accomplishments, be proud of YOURSELF. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/8/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 68 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,026 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $285.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22

Girlfriend, you don't need your family's approval. It'd be nice to have but you don't need it. You know how much you've accomplished so you stand tall and proud.....CONFIDENT. Hell, be snooty if you want to be. ha ha ha Prance around and act like a genuine snob. ha ha ha Come on now, you gotta laugh just imagining that. Whynot, there's one in EVERY family. One problem child and your brother is the real problem child in your family. My brother was in mine. My youngest son is the problem child of my three kids. The thing about those problem children, the parents really KNOW that those problem children NEED more, can't or won't stand on their own, they aren't strong, their a constant worry for the parents, and so many prayers have been said for those problem children that you couldn't count them all if you tried. Your parents KNOW that you are strong, they never doubted you for a minute, and even though it's wrong, they feel you don't really need their praise. This is wrong too but parents tend to mess up by bringing up your past mistakes to make that problem child feel better about the way he's living now. The fact is, your parents aren't being fair but at the same time, it sounds like they just don't know what else to do. So, they make excuses for your brother's behavior. I'm sure they're flat out embarrassed by his behavior. Girl, you're dong wonderful. We're all so proud of you but what really counts is that your husband and children are proud of you too. In the long run, when it's all said and done, it's going to be just you and your husband. You're doing great!!! You have a terrific quit going here and, you've accomplished so much in your life. I truly admire you. So you stand tall, proud, and confident. And that snooty thing won't hurt anything from time to time either. LOL Hugs, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 27 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,234 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $96.93 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 52

Tutti...you are absolutely Right! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 76 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,825 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $361 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8

Oh Whynot, I hear you! I think your quit is absolutely wonderful More importantly, you have done it at such a young age. proving yourself strong, and goal orientated and mature - way before some of us have figured that out! (Me for a very big sinatnce!!!!!) I salute you for those things. As for making mistakes, we ALL do that, but my word, your achievements and the way you have overcome past things, is just so highly inspiring. Look what you've got and look what you've done. Well done you. As to your brother - my "poisonous person" that I am hating right now, is my ex husband. My kids have two parents but right now I am the ONLY one who is parenting them. And I tell you after 9 years - I am getting very, very tired of that. very tired ofME having to be strong, grown up, a parent, self-sacrificing, while he gets off scot-free. And yet STILL our kids seem to think he's OK???! I am trying to analyse my feelings. I wonder if you are in a similar place of resentment? it sounds it. resentment at a perceieved lack of consideration for YOU while he gets it all. We sounds the same. It's a kind of childish or animal instinct response, isn't? the kind of "woe is me" thinking that would have had you/me reaching for a smoke in the past. It's another trigger we need to work through. It's a painful one. I am very aware that I am posting negatively just now. I am very aware of drawing on the strength and compassion of others on this site. I am trying to figure stuf out. We can't change other people for sure. We can't "make" other people reward us, respect us, consider us, make us feel good or even stop us smoking. So while we refuse to smoke any more, what can we do to change our feelings in response to stuff going on around us? That's kind of where I am now. So - I hear exactly where you are and how you're feeling. You are doing fanatsically well. And as I know - even more so given that you have this internal conflict and resentment going and still, you know what? You know what is the REALLY big deal? YOU ARE NOT SMOKING. Neither of us are. We'll get there. hang in with me and tell me of any insight and change you find. it really can only get better. Love to you. S x [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/10/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 97 [B]Cigarett

Whynot, You've gotten some great responses from your fellow quitters. I can only echo them. The only suggestion I can make is to talk to your parents and let them know how you're feeling. Congratulations on 30 days! Danielle ______________________ The SSC Support Team

WhyNot, We are happy that you made it through too! Have you ever though of seeking financial counsel? Keep persevering! Danielle _______________________ The SSC Support Team

Hi Whynot, Congrats on ONE MONTH of not smoking! Truly that is a huge accomplishment and everyone here knows exactly how big of an achievement it is. One of my pastors calls negative people Dream Assasins. They are like ninjas - they come in, get you all turned around and really it is because you are going after things they are afraid of. So they try and knock you down. Recognize it and find your worth in other things. You have a husband that is proud of you, you are both doing the right thing for your kids by quitting, and you are probably setting more of an example than you realize. Odds are no matter what you do, it won't be enough for some people. I know what you should do...keep putting one foot in front of the other, another smoke-free day behind you and moving toward the horizon. You are doing greeeaaatt! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/5/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 954 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 19,096 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4293 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 73 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29