Y’know Shayna, I did already mention that I’d like to keep you “busy” for a week. <sigh> How soon they forget, these fickle women. Thanks for the support also.
13 hours, 11 minutes and 52 seconds.
10 cigarettes not smoked,
saving $1.79. Life saved:
50 minutes.
Well, I had a difficult day today. I forgot to put my patch on in the morning, and for my first few hours at work I was in terrible shape. I managed not to smoke, but my god it was difficult.
Shayna, no, I won’t be at Vegas, but there’s been some talk about having a Dublin doper bash in October. Try to make it over if you can!
smoke free for: 1 week, 5 days, 21 hours, 19 minutes, 28 seconds
cigs not smoked: 386
money saved: £73.34
Hello! I’m still smoke-free! I haven’t set up my meter again yet, but it’s been almost four days.
Shayna-- I am so sorry you had such a rough day! I sympathize. I know exactly what you mean about wanting to take the edge off. You are much stronger than I (as evidenced by my slip-ups). {{{{{Shayna}}}}}
Wally-- Are you trying to make me cry? Because, if you are, it’s working. I came in here, head hung low, hoping not to get beat up too badly by my coaches. And there you were, offering nothing but support and understanding. I am amazed. {{{{{Wally}}}}}
Dave-- You’ll get through this. I know you can. Hell, I’ve had how many slip-ups, and I’m still trying. We will both succeed. {{{{{Dave}}}}}
Cristi-- Hey! Do not ever feel like you need to avoid us…okay? You will get through this. Can I sponsor you on Monday (the 29th)? {{{{{Cristi}}}}}
ruadh-- Way to go! I am so proud of you! {{{{{ruadh}}}}}
Everyone, thank you for all the support!
Comin’ clean— I was in Chicago too and was on a binge smoke. I don’t normally, but there were those drinks. My lungs felt like hell on Monday. So, in reparation, I’d like to help especially support Cristi and Jeannie early next week.
Thanks, weirddave, for the explanation. The life saved per cigarette seems fairly constant, 5 minutes per cigarette. However, the money saved per cigarette and cigarettes not smoked per hour seem different for each person. Just curious is all.
Thank you, too, Arnold, for the kind words.
Shayna, thanks very much for the welcome! I’m really starting to like it here.
It’s not quite accurate to say that this thread has no interest to me, as I have a long lost friend who, where ever she is and who ever she’s with, had the “habit”. I really hope she’s kicked it, both for her baby’s sake and hers. Or if she hasn’t yet, that she will someday.
I live in Culver City and work in Century City–not far from you at all. Would love to meet you and the other LA dopers someday–e-mail me (see my profile) if you’re ever in my neck of the woods, or just want to chat.
I’m obviously looking forward to getting to know you–all of you–better on the boards.
My continued support to all of you! Keep up the spirit!
(Finally, if I may be allowed a slight hijack, please take a moment to click on my new thread in MPSIMS–first thread I’ve ever created. I think you’ll find it worth a minute of your time. Thanks.)
DRY- The timers ask how much a pack costs for you, and use that as the basis. Different parts of the country cost different ammounts. You also have to tell it how many cigs a day you smoke.
One day, 9 hours, 22 minutes and 5 seconds.
27 cigarettes not smoked,
saving $4.52.
Life saved: 2 hours, 15 minutes.
Thanks everyone. I appreciate it.
Things have suddenly gotten ridiculously stressful here. I am still going to try to do this again, though. My cigarettes are my crutch right now. I know in my heart of hearts that it’s a crutch I don’t really need, but it’s one that I’m positively terrified of giving up. Things weren’t so bad three weeks ago, when I quit.
I will try again. I made it for almost two weeks last time. I’m sure I can do it again.
Weirddave: 
Elelle: I appreciate your sponsorship. You know you are my beloved friend. Please allow me to return some favor to you someday, because I know that I personally was a major contributor to your binge! ((((((elelle)))))
Wooohooo guys sorry I haven’t been on much this week. This seems to be my night to catch up on posts. Keep up the good work. I’m still smoke free, but the cravings are back but not as strong.
We can do this guys I know we can. And for those that were in Chicago and smoked, hey, that’s ok. I smoked for a week and stopped again. You can do it I know.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
Hi, everyone! Just a quick check in. Congrats to everyone who is hanging in there and making it one day at a time! You are all so amazing and strong to do this. I have nothing but admiration for all of you. For those of you who have slipped up, please don’t beat yourselves up over it. Just get back up and keep on trying. I can only imagine how hard it must be for all of you to do at all, and the occasional slip is nothing to lose heart over. I’ll be happy to sponsor anyone who needs it. I know, beyond any doubt whatsoever, that each and every one of you can beat this!!
I’m here for you, all of you. I’ll keep checking in as my time allows, every day if I can. Even if I’m not posting, I’ll be checking in on you guys, so be prepared to be hassled if you need it!! Or hugged, or cajoled, or whatever you need. I’d offer sex to the guys as an incentive, but Mr Bear wouldn’t take too kindly to that, wouldja honey? :eek:
Be strong. You CAN do this!!! I’ll be right here cheering you on all the way, and picking up anyone who needs it, too!
Hello, DRY, glad to have you aboard! 
{{{{{{{{{{GroupHugs}}}}}}}}}}
To the ones that slid back a little, don’t worry about it. It’s an addiction. If you’ve gotten rid of most of the habits and your system is fairly clean, then all you have to do is stop again. It’s easier right now to stop.
One or two cigarettes today, lead to two or three tomorrow, and soon you are hooked again. Stop now while it is only two cigarettes that you are missing out on. When you have come down from a pack a day to 2 cigarettes a day, you are still on your way, just go ahead and stop, don’t let 2 lead to 3 and then to 4 and on up to a pack again. Just stop while you can.
It isn’t failure till you quit trying.
I do want y’all to know that it will soon be over. The craving will be gone. The habit of wanting one after sex, getting into the car, after a meal, first thing in the morning, when you’re drinking, they’ll all go away.
But like any addiction, you have to avoid falling back into the trap. Drug addicts didn’t know they couldn’t stop either. Once you stop smoking, then you know how hard it is to stop, you just can’t let yourself back into that again.
If you slide back for a day, let that be that and get back on track, don’t let it take control of you again. It surely will if you let it.
You guys are so much stronger than I was and I succeeded. I would never tell anyone that I was trying to quit for fear of being looked down on if I failed. I quit in private. My wife, at the time, didn’t even know for 3 weeks (she didn’t pay much attention to me, that’s why she’s an ex).
Y’all are putting it right out in the open, I applaud every one of you. If you are willing to put it out for public display, you are stronger than I, and I beat it, so you can too.
I know I’m rambling a bit, but you all are doing great and you can all do it. Don’t let minor set backs keep you from your goal. If a boulder is in the path, just go around it and keep going, don’t turn back.
Jim
How about a status report, people. I won’t stop nagging. I’ll chase you guys all over the board if I have to.
Anybody need a sponser?
A cyber dopeslap upside the head?
A hug? Absolution? Maybe a sandwich?
I’d rather be hated than ignored. Tawk to me.
Hello, hello! Anyone out there?
dave, I must have had a brain freeze - please forgive me. I also just noticed in another topic on another board that you are married. Yikes! I don’t know why I thought you were a single guy. Guess that means the prospect of a real kiss really isn’t all that enticing to you afterall. I’ll offer you anything you want, though, if you’ll promise not to smoke!
ruadh, what awesome news that you managed to make it through a difficult day without wearing a patch. I just know you’re going to make it this time. And if there is any way I can make it to Dublin this Fall, you can bet I’ll be there with bells on. And not smoking! 
Jeannie, ahem, get in here. I know you have some news to share but I’ll let you do that yourself. I’m just gonna give you a {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{GIANT HUG}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
elelle, I didn’t even know you smoked. Well it sure doesn’t sound like you did all that much, so it’s not like you’re gonna need sponsors or anything. But I’ll give you a hug, too. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{elelle}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
DRY, Culver City is actually nowhere near me - LOL. But you can bet you’ll be at the top of the invite list for the next LA Dopers Gathering! And thanks for the continued support. That’s very sweet of you!
Cristi, believe me, I empathize with the whole stress thing. Are you still on for Sunday? Am I still your sponsor? You know I’ll do whatever it takes to help you with this!
ultress, congratulations on keeping this up. It should be easier this time around, but that doesn’t mean you wont’ have some rough patches. Do you need a sponsor again? I’ll be happy to oblige!
purply, you know I love ya! Thanks for checking in on us. You’re such a doll!
JimB, you are so wise with your advice. Thank you so much for caring. I have to say, though, that I don’t consider myself stronger than you because I’m quitting publicly. In fact, quite the opposite. As I’ve said before, I’ve tried this numerous times with no success. I believe that part of the reason I always went out and bought a pack of cigarettes is because I hadn’t told anyone I was trying so there was no one to disappoint if I failed. I knew that if I was going to make it this time I was going to have to have a TON of support because I simply couldn’t do it on my own. So don’t sell your own strength short, ok? And thanks again for all your support!
Wally, I missed you!!! Who loves you mostest, honey?
Where is everyone else? We haven’t heard from beatle, Lissa or BratMan007 in a while. Wassup guys?
My timer now reads…
3 weeks, 4 days, 23 hours, 20 minutes and 12 seconds.
311 cigarettes not smoked, saving $48.31.
Life saved: 1 day, 1 hour, 55 minutes. :D:D:D
Just checking in to lend my support to everyone!
I gotta bump this thread back up to the top where it belongs! I’m soooo proud of you guys! Cristi and anyone else who has temporarily fallen off the wagon, don’t beat yourself up. You haven’t given up, you still have a goal, that’s the most important thing.
Attention! Attention! Listen up, people! I can’t do this alone. I may be nearing the one month mark, but I still want a cigarette every single day. I need to know all the other quitters are still with me here!
BratMan007, did you fall in?
Cristi, today was supposed to be your quit day and I’m sponsoring you. Please tell me you didn’t smoke today. Or if you did, that you have an alternate quit date so I can sponsor you then. (BTW, I hope your move went really smoothly!)
Jeannie, I’m comin’ to Chi-town to spank you, that’s all there is to it. Check in!!!
dave, ruadh, ultress, you still with us?
Democritus, I know you went to the doctor on Thursday to get your Zyban scrip. When do you start taking it and what is your target quit date? Let us know so we can start lining up sponsors for you. I hope psycat checks in here and sponsors you, too!
BeerUser, Auntie Pam, I haven’t forgotten about you two, either. The time you said you’d be quitting is drawing nearer. Are you still on track?
{{{{{{{{{{Wally, evilbeth, Kyla}}}}}}}}}} You guys are so awesome for caring so much about us.
I’m still smoke free after 3 weeks, 6 days, 18 hours, 24 minutes and 51 seconds. 333 cigarettes not smoked, saving $51.65. Life saved: 1 day, 3 hours, 45 minutes.
Ok everybody - we can’t let this thing die. I’ll have none of that. So come on. Tell me what’s cookin’!
Okay I’m feeling guilty here. No, I haven’t smoked. Now that would be just terrible don’t you think? I’m feeling guilty because I have let this topic go down and to the next page. I have been thinking about you all everyday and hoping that y’all are not smoking.
Quitting the smoking habit is the best thing you will ever do for yourself. I know it’s difficult to do but think about how worth it, it is to quit.
Howdy, everyone! Just me, checking in on everyone. Glad to see that this thread’s still doing well. You all deserve it! I’m proud of all of you who are working towards beating this beast permanently!
Shayna, thank you so much for that. I’m so sorry that I’ve been too busy to check in every day.
Does anyone need a sponsor for Thurs or Fri? Let me know, I’ll be happy to do it!
Hang in there, everyone! I’m thinking aobut you, and cheering you on, even when I’m not posting here.
{{{{{{{{GroupHugs}}}}}}}}
yes, I’m still here! I wanted to smoke many times this weekend, but didn’t.
It is really amazing how much better I feel in general and after an alcohol filled night in particular. I am still coughing a bit though.
smoke free for: 2 weeks, 3 days, 6 hours, 19 minutes, 27 seconds
cigs not smoked: 517
amount saved: £98.23
Okay, here I am. I have been really busy this weekend.
I had a cigarette at work on Thursday and one on Friday. And that’s been it since then. I am still not back to my regular habit.
I will try to check in more often from now on…
Hey everyone! How’s everyone doing today? Everyone (anyone?) make it through the Memorial Weekend without smoking?
Updates please.