Sunday, July 12, 2009

True Colors

With most of the hard decisions made, we're able to catch our breath for a little while. We put something of mine on Craigslist Friday night and have plans to put more. Mr. Skittles is at our storage unit right now taking pictures of things we're going to list soon.

I hope something sells soon though so we don't have to pull from savings again. It's nice to have it to fall back on, but we've used up half of it already since Spring trying to keep our heads afloat. Obviously it hasn't worked.

I've mentioned before that the biggest cut we can make in spending is to quit smoking. I tried Chantix which made me psycho cranky and was told to discontinue it right away. I have now started up on Commit Lozenges. Cappuccino flavor. Yum.. kinda. I did really well yesterday, only smoked about five cigarettes when normally I would have smoked maybe a pack and a half. Yesterday was our day to drive to Ohio where ciggies are cheaper, but we didn't go. And I'm ok with that.

Some people suck on lollipops (or other unmentionable things), some eat celery or carrot sticks to get past the angst of fingers normally busy holding a smoke.. now empty. I have decided to color. I bought a coloring book and a gigantic box of crayons. I sit out at the dining room table and invent new color schemes for the characters of The Incredibles, Nemo, Cars and Monsters Inc. Part of the time I just sniff the crayons. *smile*

Oh sure there are still some big trigger times for me. Those are the times I've given in so far. I have washed and put away all the ashtrays though. If we want to smoke we have to go outside. (Mr. Skittles is trying to quit also.) I don't know why I keep saying "trying" to quit. I should be saying something like "quitting in slow motion."

Slow motion. That seems fitting because I decided something this morning. I am not going to beat myself over the head for not quitting completely yet. I didn't set a quit date. I didn't work or psyche myself up for it. Yeah, some people quit cold turkey or maybe are just stronger willed than me, but I'll admit I'm a wuss. I need slow measured steps. Any start is better than no start. At least in my eyes.

Being at my desk and computer is maybe the hardest trigger to face. If you need me..? I'll be out in the dining room. Coloring or sniffing crayons.

12 comments:

MAGGIE AT COFFEESHOPMAFIA said...

I find coloring very relaxing. Therapists recommend it.

Try washing all your fabrics in your house, curtains, spreads, couches etc. To rid yourself of the cig smell. It might help make the cravings go down. Just and idea.

Queen-Size funny bone said...

good luck....

Terri said...

Here's another thing to help out. Mikey our son hasn't had pneumonia since we quit smoking. He had it twice on top of ear infection after ear infection. He hasn't had a cold since we quit!! Coloring is a great idea!! It occupies your hands. You can hold a crayon like a cig and take care of that urge. (pppssst I love the smell of crayons hehe )oh and not going to Ohio... you saved on gas too! You can do this. I know you can!! Take it one day at a time and one cig at a time. (((Barb))) I'm proud of you!

Coffee Slut said...

Mmmm ....LOVE the smell of crayons! And I still love to color!
Good luck!

Autumn said...

Good luck, my friend.
((((((hugs)))))

Jeni said...

You know too that there are two types of addiction that those of us with the nicotine habit have to overcome too, don't you? There is the physical addiction to the drug itself that creates the dry mouth, yucky feeling in the back of your throat with the initial phases of withdrawal and after that, there is the psychological addiction to the act of smoking. When I quit (did it for 3 months 11 years ago) I used the patch that time and had no issues other than a little withdrawal stuff the first two days but after 7-10 days, I was fine, totally off the patch. After I started up again and when I've tried since then off and on to quit, it's more the psychological aspect that is driving me a bit bonkers -the idea I have to have a smoke while doing various things, etc. I keep telling myself I'll get past this but so far, it hasn't happened but then, I know too I'm not totally pushing myself the way I should to rid myself of this nasty, very unhealthy and also, extremely expensive habit now either!

Sue said...

Best wishes!!! I quit two years ago after 20 years smoking, and it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself and my family. I know how tough it is, BUT if you can get through the first few weeks I promise it does get easier.

You can do it :)

Mom Knows Everything said...

I so need to quit also! It's the coffee that does it for me...if I drink coffee I have to smoke with it. It's going to be hard to give up both. :o(

Tumblewords: said...

Good luck, good luck! I quit about a dozen years ago - cold turkey - when I watched the tobacco magnates arrive at Congressional hearings in private planes, pinstripes and pithy smirks while claiming ciggies weren't harmful or addicting. Bull, I said. Tossed my weeds in water and stayed angry long enough to make it past the roughest part. I hope they suffered more than I did, but I doubt it! LOL Good luck, good luck! Every now and then - when I get an urge - I see those arrogant faces leering again. Pfft.

Rinkly Rimes said...

You can do it! My husband smoked heavily until we left a cheap-tobacco country for an expensive-tobacco one!
He's never regretted it. But it took weeks for me to wash the nicotine stains out of his underwear! I have always been a non-smoker, though both my parents smoked. Life is really lovely without it and Malcolm agrees.

Misty DawnS said...

You can do it! I believe in you.
P.S. Can I color too? Pass me the purple crayon ;-)

Lesley said...

Good for you!! I am such a totally addictive person, if I had ever started smoking I know I'd never be able to stop. I love the idea of coloring as "therapy" - brilliant! Who doesn't love to color??