Five Years and OOF Status

Thanks Summer! You look wonderful wearing nothing but... air...
SteveS

Summer C wrote:
> (((((((((((((((STEVE)))))))))))))))
>
> What a beautiful post. I hope you don't mind but I have saved it for future
> reference!
>
> Big HUGE MAMMOTH congrats to you for five years smoke-free!
>
> ~C~O~N~G~R~A~T~U~L~A~T~I~O~N~S~
>
> /me strips off and does the dance of the wild fairies
>
>
> {\ /} {\ /} {\ /} {\ /}
> >`.()'< >`.()'< >`.()'< >`.()'<
> {@ /|\/@} {@ /|\/@} {@ /|\/@} {@ /|\/@}
> `/'|`~' `/'|`~' `/'|`~' `/'|`~'
> \\ // \\ //
> // \\ // \\
> '' '' '' ''
>

Thanks guys, your meter looks fantastic!
SteveS

Steve and Sarah wrote:
> That is a wonderful post, SteveS! Congratulations of 5 great years!! Woo
> Hoo!!
>
> Sarah and Steve
> Nine months, 20 hours, 21 minutes and 47 seconds. 6846 cigarettes not
> smoked, saving $2,738.48. Life saved: 3 weeks, 2 days, 18 hours, 30 minutes.
>

Thanks Becky, but to be honest I have no idea where that money went! All
I know is it is gone! Glad to see this quit sticking for you...
SteveS

Becky wrote:
> Hi Steve!!
> Congratulations on 5 years!! Awesome!
> Excelent post,thanks for sharing! So what did you use your 10thousand bucks
> saved on?
> Becky
> One month, one week, two days, 59 minutes and 20 seconds. 1952 cigarettes
> not smoked, saving $181.54. Life saved: 6 days, 18 hours, 40 minutes.
>

Thanks Cat but we who quit smoking are ALL winners. Especially you.
Thanks for all you do for this group!
SteveS

CuckooCat wrote:
> Wow.
> What a fantastic post from a fantastic man.
>
> Congrats on 5*Y* Steve! You are a true winner!!!
>
> Cheers!
> xoxo
> Cat
>

Thanks Tihomir. I say go ahead and think about it. When you actually
get there you will find the reality of it that much more meaningful.
Take care...
SteveS

Tihomir wrote:
> SteveS <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote:
>
>> Dear AS3,
>> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
>> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
>>
>> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
>> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.
>
> 5 years is such a fantastic achievement Steve I dare not think about
> it LOL.
> And your post is a definite keeper too!
> We need more people like you. And I don't mean AS3, but as a whole.
>

LOL!! Liar! :P

--
Lots of love
Summer (007) -- HOF
_________________________________________________

e-Mail: summer DOT cashmore AT ntlworld DOT com
http://www.summcash.blogspot.com/
"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."
_________________________________________________


"SteveS" <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote in message
news:BOOdnRDhr9ND6wrbnZ2dnUVZ_ubinZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Thanks Summer! You look wonderful wearing nothing but... air...
> SteveS
>
> Summer C wrote:
> > (((((((((((((((STEVE)))))))))))))))
> >
> > What a beautiful post. I hope you don't mind but I have saved it for
future
> > reference!
> >
> > Big HUGE MAMMOTH congrats to you for five years smoke-free!
> >
> > ~C~O~N~G~R~A~T~U~L~A~T~I~O~N~S~
> >
> > /me strips off and does the dance of the wild fairies
> >
> >
> > {\ /} {\ /} {\ /} {\ /}
> > >`.()'< >`.()'< >`.()'< >`.()'<
> > {@ /|\/@} {@ /|\/@} {@ /|\/@} {@ /|\/@}
> > `/'|`~' `/'|`~' `/'|`~' `/'|`~'
> > \\ // \\ //
> > // \\ // \\
> > '' '' ''
''
> >

A big congrats on your OOF SteveS!!! aww hell come closer and I will kiss ya
{smack}

--
Lynn <---VOF Leaper

"SteveS" <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote in message
news:koSdnVhHBYo2hQnbnZ2dnUVZ_v-tnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me five
> more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my mother
> from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good. I say
> Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford to
> let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard was a
> certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was emotionally,
> physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at the jumping-off
> spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The next morning, when I
> woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been hit that hard ever again.
> Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good times
> and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual whose
> viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still quit
> today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read a whole
> lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys seem
> to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You guys are
> hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat this thing.
> Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you never have to
> worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes to avoid that
> first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a crave, you will
> make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the gym
> and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my life
> (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum, or
> use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't support
> me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough times.
> I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment to see it
> all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was in
> front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I just
> couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit, and lean
> meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin, Edna,
> ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all you do
> for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your service
> work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You guys
> are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good and
> I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

On Jul 10, 9:02?pm, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Steve S! > I am vigilant and take this quit one day at a time as I lost a 3+ year
> quit in 2001 as I got smug and lazy. >
> FlatironMike
> FSS
> Four months, four weeks, one day, 23 hours, 32 minutes and 23 seconds.
> 2999 cigarettes not smoked, saving $899.63. Life saved: 1 week, 3
> days, 9 hours, 55 minutes.

Hey, Mike, now that you know I am here watching your progress. you
also know that any time you need a helping hand, a hug (virtual or
actual), I am here. You are so helpful to others, you give of
yourself, and we are never going to let you get "smug and lazy"
again. What's a friend for if not to hit you upside the head whenever
you set out to do harm to yourself?

Be strong. Don't smoke. Not even one. Especially not one.

Joyce

On Jul 10, 7:39 pm, SteveS <inyo...@spamm.ers> wrote:
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me
> five more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my
> mother from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good.
> I say Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a
> pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford
> to let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard
> was a certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was
> emotionally, physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at
> the jumping-off spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The
> next morning, when I woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been
> hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya
> get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good
> times and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual
> whose viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still
> quit today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read
> a whole lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys
> seem to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You
> guys are hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat
> this thing. Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you
> never have to worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes
> to avoid that first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a
> crave, you will make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the
> gym and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my
> life (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum,
> or use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't
> support me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough
> times. I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment
> to see it all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was
> in front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I
> just couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit,
> and lean meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin,
> Edna, ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all
> you do for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your
> service work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You
> guys are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good
> and I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

What a remarkable achievement and what a great, wise post. Thank you
and congratulations! Stephanie

Steve, I've said this before but I'll say it again; it's been an honor and a
pleasure walking this path with you.

ODAAT indeed. Amazing what a powerful yet simple concept this is, eh?

Lee
OOF

--
Hawaiian trapped in a Minnesotan's body


"SteveS" <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote in message
news:koSdnVhHBYo2hQnbnZ2dnUVZ_v-tnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me five
> more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my mother
> from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good. I say
> Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford to
> let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard was a
> certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was emotionally,
> physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at the jumping-off
> spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The next morning, when I
> woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been hit that hard ever again.
> Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good times
> and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual whose
> viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still quit
> today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read a whole
> lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys seem
> to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You guys are
> hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat this thing.
> Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you never have to
> worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes to avoid that
> first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a crave, you will
> make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the gym
> and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my life
> (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum, or
> use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't support
> me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough times.
> I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment to see it
> all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was in
> front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I just
> couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit, and lean
> meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin, Edna,
> ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all you do
> for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your service
> work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You guys
> are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good and
> I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

mmm thanks!
SteveS

Lynn wrote:
> A big congrats on your OOF SteveS!!! aww hell come closer and I will kiss ya
> {smack}
>

Thanks Steph. You are doing well yourself.
SteveS

Stephanie wrote:

>> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
>> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.
>
> What a remarkable achievement and what a great, wise post. Thank you
> and congratulations! Stephanie
>

You betcha Lee. It works when nothing else does. I have been
privileged to follow in your footsteps.
SteveS

Lee in Duluth MN wrote:
> Steve, I've said this before but I'll say it again; it's been an honor and a
> pleasure walking this path with you.
>
> ODAAT indeed. Amazing what a powerful yet simple concept this is, eh?
>
> Lee
> OOF
>

thanks for being here, steves!
you've been a great friend and quitbuddy

take care,
Joy
Five years, seven months, one week, two days, 14 hours, 20 minutes and 45
seconds. 61427 cigarettes not smoked, saving $15,356.98. Life saved: 30
weeks, 3 days, 6 hours, 55 minutes.

"SteveS" <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote in message
news:koSdnVhHBYo2hQnbnZ2dnUVZ_v-tnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me five
> more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my mother
> from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good. I say
> Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford to
> let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard was a
> certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was emotionally,
> physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at the jumping-off
> spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The next morning, when I
> woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been hit that hard ever again.
> Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good times
> and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual whose
> viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still quit
> today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read a whole
> lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys seem
> to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You guys are
> hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat this thing.
> Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you never have to
> worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes to avoid that
> first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a crave, you will
> make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the gym
> and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my life
> (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum, or
> use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't support
> me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough times.
> I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment to see it
> all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was in
> front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I just
> couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit, and lean
> meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin, Edna,
> ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all you do
> for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your service
> work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You guys
> are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good and
> I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

Thanks Joy, you are one of the special ones....
SteveS

ok2bwild wrote:
> thanks for being here, steves!
> you've been a great friend and quitbuddy
>
> take care,
> Joy
> Five years, seven months, one week, two days, 14 hours, 20 minutes and 45
> seconds. 61427 cigarettes not smoked, saving $15,356.98. Life saved: 30
> weeks, 3 days, 6 hours, 55 minutes.
>
> "SteveS" <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote in message