TGIF

[hootiemomma]

Well, Thank God it's Friday. It's been a long week with the lessening daylight hours. It makes the days seem short but then we're so tired!!! I keep sleeping later and later!

Weekends are super hard for me. I get bored, need something to do with my hands and mouth. Knitting is really hard but I think one day I will get better at it. I just have to keep distracting my self. I can do it. I will survive this weekend.

[jaime77]

Hello! You certainly can do this! I know what you mean about weekends. I get ancy during them myself. I play on Pogo to keep myself busy and last weekend I spent alot of time outside with my daughter picking out leaves (I live in New England). As long as I keep my mind and my hands busy I find it makes it a little easier. Good luck with your weekend!

[pat3]

My vice is drinking.... Now before you get all upset, let me explain. I always have to have something in my hand to drink ( that doesn't sound right either). Ok, I drink coffee, green sparkling tea, white tea, diet pepsi, diet big red, water, moca frappacinno (spelling), orange soda, and orange spice hot tea. So, I have substituted "drinking" for smoking. When I feel like I want a cigarette I have a " drink". I use a special cup, get nice and comfy; sit in my recliner, put my feet up, get my book, and enjoy! When I smoked I was always too worried about getting in all the cigarettes I could that I never took time to really enjoy "drinking". I also eat a lot of fruit- grapes and cheeries. I have found that when I slow down and really enjoy eating and drinking that it satisfies me. I think we "want" a cigarette because we used to think that they relaxed us. We know of course that it is a stimulant. I am much calmer now that I do not smoke. So, enjoy the good things!!!

[vicki-jackson]

I am impressed that you would try knitting. That would drive me to smoking-lol. I did try sewing, but machines don't like me much either. I pet the cat, get up and do something-like dishes, laundry, go to the store even if I don't buy anything. Sometimes I just walk out side and take deep breaths. Right now I am on the computer. I love movies, but have to be in the mood and it has to be a good movie. My next project is to paint my bedroom. I have had the paint for a couple of weeks now. I'm getting there. Anyway, don't give in, you can do it. I just keep thinking about how nice it is not to smell of smoke, not to feel badly about wasting the money, time, and energy in doing something that doesn't help anybody or anything. Hang in there-Vicki

[beth24]

Oh man, do I hear you! Though I have to tell you, I am not working right now so everyday can be pretty boring-haha. Keeping busy, on your own, every day is not easy. Knitting is cool...you'll get better at it the more you do it. As long as it is an enjoyable past time for you...that's all that matters. Pat's idea of drinking is a good one. I drink alot more water these days...that keeps my mouth busy. My hands...now that's a different story altogether. I'm a jack of all trades, master of none. So I flit from one thing to another...i've got a ton of unfinished projects laying around here because i can't get to the one thing I do enjoy. I got interested in stained glass and while I'm not great at it, I sure do like that hobby. Unfortunately, I just moved here and the little shed I could use as a "studio" is filled with junk that I don't know what to do with yet. So, keep up with your knitting and whatever else tickles your fancy to do as long as it makes you happy and you continue your successful quit. Peace

[nancympearson]

Hello, My name is Nancy and I crochet and it saved me from smoking many times when I didn't know what to so with my hands. My advice to you is to start slow and easy. It doesn't need to be perfect---i had a piece i worked on where I made so many mistakes it looked awful but I just continued crocheting for something to do. Just try it and don't be hard on yourself. Take care, Love Nancy

[Leenie]

Hi!

Edith told me you may need some help with your knitting. Just ignore this if you don't need any help. ;-}
The first time I quit, my big quit smoking aid was the Greek fisherman sweater I knit my then husband. It was interesting enough to keep my hands and mind occupied. There are some neat websites I can tell you about: ravelry.com; knitty.com and elann.com. ravelry.com has lots of free patterns and pictures of other knitters' projects. knitty.com is another site with free patterns and elann.com is a great source for very nice quality and inexpensive yarns. It is based in Canada but they send U.S. orders from Washington and prices are quoted in U.S. dollars. There are free patterns when you buy the yarn there. I also like knitpicks.com which is another online store with neat audio interviews with authors and knitters. If I can be of help to you, let me know. Go as slow as you need to and you will automatically get faster. And only do it if you actually enjoy the process as well as the finished projects. Life's too short otherwise. I like to read Elizabeth Zimmerman's books, and Stephanie McPhee's too. Knitpicks.com also gives good previews of knitting books - a generous number of pictures of projects. Don't mean to be a scary-enthusiastic knitter. Hang on to the quit however you can, no matter what it takes. You will be glad you did. I guarantee it.

Leenie

[patricia6]

I have been plotting this quit for a long time. I had lots of ideas for how to make the new time I was finding usefull. I have stuff to do all over the house. A book at every perch. I read cranberry juice helps cleanze the residue and I take a nip a couple times a day. I play the quitar twice a day. I have my mornings where I breathe and do yoga. I eat a little fruit. Delaying the usual routene stuff so that I am alter when I am awake mornings and remember my grand plan.I drink lots of water. I brush my teeth extra times. I write letters and e-mail and keep coming back here so that I am not lingering in the feeling that I need to do something. I just move to the next thing. Or take a nap. Or talk to someone on the phone. Or go for a walk or another walk. I sing songs out loud so that my lungs are feeling the wind and my throat remembers there are oh so many things that feel good. Like a song.I wanna knit now too. I could wear my knit wear and give it as gifts..say..so much better use of the idle hands through a day.Congratualations on your free air breatheing time. Exxy is sexxy.

[victoria-gregory]

Wow so this is what we all are going through? Well I couldn't sit still long enough to knit yet. The internet is my best resource and solitare. I mostly try to forget that I am quitting because it makes me so anxious...or I concentrate on it until it goes away. This is my 22 day. I know it will be with me for a looong ass time no matter what I do. I try to focus on something I need to do and get it done...it's amazing how much you can get done...but I give myself time to space out too...that's what I was smoking for I guess...to have a break now and then, you need 'em too...

[barbara-wilson]

Wow! you're doing great. Hang in there this weekend. I spend a ton of time reading and commenting on here. Knitting sounds like a great way to keep the hands and mind busy.

[rain]

Hootiemomma, you're almost at the one-month mark!! Its time to celebrate, don't you think????!!!
I'm still a new quitter, almost at 2 weeks now, and being a pretty much tactile kind of person (I paint for a living) you could always try doing more kid art-based, not too tiring activities with your treasure of a girl!!! I do wish I could knit, but drawing, reading, playing with play-doh with my kid cousins, doing watercolors etc...got me through weekend 1!!! Or call a friend, send an e-mail, do yourself a nice makeover with your dazzling complexion, finally getting the oxygen it needs!!! Crafts always work their magic for restless hands and minds...If all else fails, send me a mail, typing me jibberish if you want, just work those fingers out!!!! You're already there at one month, you're free, time to plan a party, don't you think??? I'm here most of the time, type, post, anything, I'm here with you on this! Smoke-free and getting happier by the minute thanks to lots of loving people here!!!

[rain]

And Edith is the best person ever, she totally rocks!!! She called me here, and I love her for so many reasons now including writing to you today now!! You're in good hands dearest!!!

[carla-mcdonald]

Hi Rain,Just a short post as I'm not quite sure how this site works yet..I culdn't sleep,so decided to try to figure it out..I'm sorry to say,I'm not very computer literate..I keep trying though..I'm doing okay wit my quit after my relapse...Take care of you.....Carla Five days, 12 hours, 48 minutes and 43 seconds. 110 cigarettes not smoked, saving $27.67. Life saved: 9 hours, 10 minutes.