Hi Quit Buddies,

I will be getting my 11 th star soon and I an so excited BUT it is also a tricky time. I am seeing some of us fight the demon just as hard as in the beginning and some of us aren't protecting our quits as carefully because we have come so far that we think that we can have just one--or we think we proved that we can quit so let's smoke and we will quit when we have to--or we quit or tool a break so we can smoke now--or the weight gain has gotten to us or life is just hard right now or all our buddies are doing so good with there quits so something wrong with us. Yes we do a lot of cheering on our buddies but we have to remember to share the tough times too, I know that we don't want to scare the newbies because it us so much better now but there are still pitfalls and it even seems like they are a bit predictable - triggers and certain timelines in the quit, Also, we get farther away from the cigarette and we forget we are and always will be addicts - one will takw us back!

This has been a topic on a FB page and we need to educate each other in this tricky time so that we ask for help and support. One other issue that comes up during these months is that the individual threads seem to become a bit more quiet and for me that is an issue, I have ventured out into all the threads but some times now my thead is lonely and that is bad so keep posting as you beat this demon ...with every post you help others.

If you are in the 8 - 11 smoke free months or farther along please share if you have hit times that are still difficult and how you have handles it...also. how do you keep track of friends, Someone just mentioned someone who missed getting their key and I just realized I missed him,,,it was a simple email that saved me from a relapse and I wish I could do that for someone who might need it.

Whatnare your thoughts?
Penny

Oh J ,  ( not the murderer whoops accused I mean, more like the sweet juice )

   Finally some relief to an annoying month filled with so much negative and pain.  I so needed some outlet, but instead buried my head in the sand and dreaded each day that called for me to be Susy Sunshine or Perkie Portia when I felt like Shitska Seva and Porky Pitta.  Yeah, I still name my emotions and attitudes......easy way to describe what's going on in the noodle without getting so melodramatic or serious.  Frustration and fatigue visited this month and the Seven Deadly Sins of the previous months had taken a toll and left me with the 8th full of sadness and depression.  That was how it went for me, a true divine comedy ala Dante.  I see evidence of their wake in my home, occupation, personal relationships and physical being.  I had periods of jovial meanderings, and spurts of ' I got it now, I am wonderwomen hear me roar ', but the ambivalence would settle in again and I would sit and contemplate life as life marched on without me.  I am working on it AND not smoking, but I do miss the instant rush of the 'fix' , temporary and deadly as it was.  I know I won't do it, but it leaves me kind of sad.  Maybe because I have not found a good replacement or that too much negative abounds around me.  I have kind of morphed from a doormat ( sweet words from a 'friend' ) into a reclusive dull doorknob without a keyhole.  Or some say a selfish itch.  Oh well, so much for pleasing the masses.   I am just tired....but will not smoke.  And I need a few laughs, to keep the blues at bay.  And I need to Squeeeezzze ( literally, dang Gluttony, Sloth, Greed, & Lust are quite evident from the top of my moon pie faced head to my this little piggy toes) back into those big girl panties and get on with it. 

 Blame it on Sponge Bob and my love of an Irish jig... a video and a tune to commemorate the past months

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ITmqurGeE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqewyGMTZzc&feature=related

Love ya J,

Tigs

I just found out that this is a new place to check in... seems many are able to move straight away... not me... I still feel I need to check in here and there and to reaffirm all I have learned....  I smoked for way to long to be able to reach a year and think it is over.... I believe it will be a forever thing for me and as I have said before.. that is just fine I will keep the gift.....and do whatever it takes...