Thanks. Today was the worst, but I knew it would be. I work for the US Govmt during the week, and for the church on weekends. Saturdays are always about sermon and flowers (I do the church flowers, which I really like doing). BUT... for 20 years, I've always done them at 5 PM on Sat with a glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other. And wouldn't you just know that tomorrow (Sun) is a "special" day, honoring someone's 90th birthday; a woman who almost single-handedly rebuilt and re-opened the little church where I work. Stakes are high; sermon needs to be top-notch, and flowers need to be top-notch. Hell of a time to do both without smoking. The fear threads helped a lot -- the craving threads helped, and I was able to do the flowers without too much trouble, but when they were done, and the sermon was done, I went nuts. Friday night without cigs is one thing, but SAT night, when all the work is done, is another story! NEVER have I faced a Sat night, especially the night before a huge service, without a cigarette (or hundreds). But as I said in a different post, we don't "return to normal;" we create a new normal. Who KNEW what a ***** that would be!! Flowers are HOT; sermon is HOT; I deserve many cigarettes, but I deserve more to keep them away from me. Next big test is Sunday, when everything is finally finished. Ever since I've been ordained, my biggest joy has been that post-final-service cigarette when everyone is finally gone. Been doing that for 20 years-plus. It won't happen tomorrow, and that will be okay. NOPE. Better to be an ex-smoker who occasionally wants a cigarette than a smoker who constantly wants to quit, right? But I was born and raised a Southern California boy, riding the waves. I can ride these craves. (I sure don't like it, though!) Now I'm in Northern Virginia, and after 30 years, they still don't know what to make of me! Thanks for listening -- peteg [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/30/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 294 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $27.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

Hope I'm not babbling too much, but I sure learned something huge this week and wanted to mention it. I discovered it was easy not to smoke at work (even though I was one of those who went out every hour), because I'm happy there and love my job. It was HELL going home, because who knew I was unhappy and didn't like my home life?? Who knew that instead of facing it, I just smoked and drank for hours on end? You all showed me about power and control, and I'm like, "Wait a minute! This is my friggin house!" So I started controlling my environment. (It was just always so dirty, animals were out of control, spouse was out of control, I was feeling jerked around by everyone and everything, so I escaped into Camel and Gallo.) What a fabulous day I'm having today -- cleaned every inch of this house within an inch of its life (not to "keep busy" but to take control of my environment and stop letting it make me feel powerless over it). Spouse is like, "Holy Sh**t!! Look at this place! I feel great, and I thank you all. How embarrassing to have been so controlled by all those chemicals wrapped in a piece of paper for all those years!! Yikes; time to reclaim some basic human dignity. Okay, stick a fork in me; I'm done. Gotta get back to my weekend job. Sending you all tons of thanks... God knows I'll be in very bad shape before too long! peteg [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/30/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 279 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $27.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 34 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36

WOW, I'm with Phil, come on over and clean my place, too! I've been extememly sleepy all the time and haven't had the energy to do much more than work and come home and collapse! I'm so glad you are taking control, that's what it's all about. Unless it's really the hokey pokey?!!!???? Do you have a garden? Can you do work in it on Sunday when you are finished with all else? I have found digging in the garden to be a great stress reliever and, you get the beautiful benefits next spring. But maybe it's already snowing in N. Virginia? Brrrrrr, this native California gal is too spoiled! Keep on posting, you are doing great! Read lots of stuff here, too, there is an amazing amount of information to be found. Almost anything and everything you could possibly experience has been done and written about here! Denise [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/16/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 20 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 603 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $150 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 3

Pete, Like you said, we have to create a new "normal" and yes, it is a challenge! But to me it sounds like you are off to a great start! Staying busy, chugging water, reading and posting on SSC have been a tremendous help to me. Everyone is here to support you when your day or hour has not been great, but they also lavish you with praise when you have a good day. And remember, we're all here for the same reason, to free ourselves from a nasty hateful addiction. Debbie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/26/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 10 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 207 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $37.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14

Good luck with everything today! Distract yourself at the end of the day - no smoking! Sounds like you're doing very well, Peteg! Deli [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/1/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 96 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,445 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �288 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 49

Hi mate Can you come and clean my house please? thanks Phil [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/9/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 88 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,762 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �462 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32

Hi Peteg, I did the same thing in the first 3 days: Cleaning, cleaning cleaning. My house smelled so nice after that. I washed the curtains and all and I could smell better after 3 days of not smoking. I still clean more than I used to but that;s because I have 3 hours a day more....lol. I feel fantastic!!!! Fini :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/1/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 218 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,455 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �643.1 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 30 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36

Peteg, My goodness you're a hard worker! I know the weekend is proving to be difficult but as you said: "we never return to normal, we create a new normal". This is my suggestion to you. If a cigarette was a reward for your hard work, you need to find a replacement. Find something you love whether it be food, something material or a little time for yourself to do something you love and reward yourself with that instead. Hope this helps. Danielle ______________________ The SSC Support Team

Wow Peteg! You've been busy this week! You're really catching on quick. It's funny what you realize when the smoke fog is lifted? Be sure to reward yourself well this week for making such great progress! Danielle _______________________ The SSC Support Team

Good for you peteg! Taking back control is what quitting is all about. You are doing a great job and finding the benefits of quitting early. Taking your life back is the most rewarding aspect. Congratulations and remember how you feel right now when the quit gets to you. Keep a journal so you can see the progress you have made. You are doing an awesome job! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 491 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,835 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1718.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 43 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 9