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New Year--New Outlook

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First of all, let me apologize to all my subscribers for being absent for so long. As you probably know; especially if you read the discussion threads—the baby and I had pneumonia. It struck me suddenly on Christmas Day—while I was cooking a gorgeous Christmas dinner for my family and company. I felt so extremely ill, that I couldn’t smoke even one cigarette. Being a hardened smoker of 25 years (I am 43 years old) this was an unusual occurrence for me. I really wanted a cigarette, but my body wouldn’t oblige. Which leads me to my next sentence—I have actually given up smoking. I haven’t had one since Christmas Day—not even a puff! I still can’t believe it myself! Me? Give up? Nooooo……..But, yes I have given up and feel very proud of my accomplishment. I still have my moments when I really need one, but I fight the feeling until it goes away. I can’t say I have saved any kind of tangible money, though—so the financial aspect of my abstinence is moot. The health aspect is wonderful, though—no smoker’s cough in the morning, or choking in the middle of the night. No shortness of breath, either. No kids breathing second-hand smoke from the heavy blue layers that used to continually frequent my house. I have a house smelling of mountain fresh air, and no stale tobacco!

Withdrawals were a nightmare. I threw things around, and yelled a lot, got madder than heck and was bad tempered for about two weeks. Neighbors and friend’s were patient with me—as were my kids. Yes, I was a psychotic maniac! So, one could say that I had cold turkey twice over the Christmas holiday! I really don’t recommend the cold turkey method of quitting; it’s really hellish on your brain. Good luck to all that try to quit smoking this year. Nicotine’s actually harder to quit, than heroin, they say, so you’ll need all the luck you can get!

I don’t smoke, drink, or take drugs—but I do enjoy an occasional game of black jack. It’s quite some time since I went to Las Vegas or Laughlin. I get totally wrapped up with those bright lights and all the neat sounds and the hopeful look on gambler’s faces, as they spin the reels of their slot machines! It’s as though I’m transported to another dimension—the only thing anyone wants to do, is WIN! The atmosphere is so intense, that friends have a really hard time trying to drag me out of there! I guess casinos are my one and only weakness. I only go out to a casino about twice a year, as a treat. Sometimes it’s good to reward yourself with a treat now and then.

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