Rainie: Did you say "healthy"??!! Hmmm, that's a tough one for me. In my world, everything is chocolate! So, do you think maybe I've just traded one fixation for another?? I know, I know, but it just tastes so damn good! It's all I want! Ok, so to be fair, I will no longer force my wine and chocolate on my shipmates (I will, however, always welcome the company whilst I partake). I, too, am having a difficult time fitting into many of my clothes and I will do something about it soon, very, very soon. (Maybe on a Tuesday!) So, for you, my friend, a plate of low fat crackers, fruit and veggies. (Yawn!!) But, hey, I'm there for you, you know that! Just tell me what you need. Freemom: Listen to Rainie, especially about the breathing -- such an important part of getting through the tough moments and tough days. Her spa idea has some real merit, too. So, we're off for a little casino hopping tomorrow -- that ought to be a fun distraction. (AFTER all our onboard work is done, of course! Aye, aye, Cap'n!!) Keep the faith, all! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 120 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,835 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $960 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 15 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32

Oops! Forgot my stats! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 120 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,823 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $960 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 15 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 33 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13

Now, Capn, you KNEW I was a slacker, but I like to think I bring SOMETHING to the table (well, chocolate and wine, DUH). Clearly, we've all established that I'm musically challenged, but I have a certain, uh, wisdom and uh, charm, yeah, that's it! So, you just give me my orders for the day and I am ALL over it! Just wanting to please, don't you know? Freemom, you're doing such a good job with the music -- you're making me look even worse than I actually was! Keep up the good work! Great choices. Pat and Rainie: You two are just doing so great -- I'm proud of you both, shipmates! Keep the faith

Jaybird'sLady: WELCOME! The more the merrier, I must say! (Of course, I'm kind of a slacker, so don't go by me!) Another chocolate lover? You bet! Dark chocolate it is for you, my dear! White or Red wine? A nice Chardonnary or would you prefer a Merlot or Pinot Noir? The choice -- like quitting smoking -- is all yours! Nice to have another sweet-smelling quitter on board. Keep the faith [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 120 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,833 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $960 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 15 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

Boy, am I on the right ship for a slacker or what??!! Not only am I surrounded by terrific quitters, but the TALENT onboard is amazing! Re-worked fabulous lyrics, great music, better food, no, marvelous food, golf, gambling, no nasty smokers around, and fun, fun people (MOST of whom understand the importance of chocolate and wine in a well-rounded diet)! I have finally figured out my value to you all (we all know it sure isn't being in charge of music)! No, here it is: I'm ON THE BEACH and I know all about it! I want you all to join me there in due time (one must pay one's quitting dues first, don't you know). But I shall reveal nothing about the beach for now, except to say "OH BABY, get those 100 days -- this is one SPECIAL beach!). Phil just joined us, you know. See if he'll break the beach "code" and tell all! I doubt it. Thanks for the good eats, Jaybird'sLady and Cap'n. What's a few more dozen pounds, huh? More chocolate for you? White or red tonight? Pat: I'll meet you in the lounge tomorrow for "Survivor" -- I just can't resist the "oddly demented", as I believe you put it. Freemom: Your music is AWESOME and your lyrics are even better. Keep up the good work, shipmate! Keep that good breathing going, too. Holler if you run into any more nic fits, ok? We're here for you. Rainie: Sorry you're leaving us like this -- stick close when you can. Be a good girl (yeah, right -- that's gonna happen)!! HA! Hugs around -- keep the faith [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 122 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,915 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $976 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 45 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51

Another "OOPS" from me! PHIL didn't just join us on the beach -- hell, he's been there for some time -- it's PETEG that just joined us! Sorry about that -- (I guess Faith has been dipping into the wine and chocolates a little too much lately). [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 122 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,917 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $976 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 31

Pat: VERY WELL SAID!!! THAT's why you're almost to the double digits in this, your FINAL quit! You really do GET IT -- you take this addiction seriously, you've gotten angry about it and most importantly, you're bound and determined to conquer it. And you WILL, too! I'm proud of you. Freemom: Re-read Pat's post -- it's very, very powerful -- and TRUE! You CAN do this! We ALL can! Pat: Looking forward to your "cheery self" tomorrow, but it's always good to see you're still hanging tight to your anger over your addiction. That's working for you -- good for you! Keep the faith [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 121 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,870 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $968 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 15 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 35

Freemom: Welcome back! I agree -- it was indeed a "slip", but most importantly, you learned a ton from it. That one smoke didn't solve a single thing, did it? One issue to take with you: Don't call this a "habit" -- it's so much more than that, you know. This is an ADDICTION. YOU, like the rest of us, are a DRUG ADDICT. Do NOT listen to the junkie voice trying to lure you back to smoking. The junkie part of you doesn't care about you -- listen only to the rational and reasonable and very, very wise Freemom voice (and to ours, of course). I'm so glad you 'fessed up and posted about this. Confession is indeed good for the soul. But so is CHOCOLATE, as you know! Please, sit with me awhile -- we'll enjoy the sun, the sea air, a little wine and mucho chocolate. Take care of yourself -- you're worth it! Hugs from here -- Faith [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 121 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,868 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $968 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 15 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32

Good day, shipmates! Sorry I've been a little AWOL the past few days -- dealing with smoking hubby. Eew, I wish he would quit! The smell is really getting to me. I've taken to leaving my mini-version of the Allen Carr book (subtle, huh?). He's getting closer to quitting and I know is simply stunned that I have actually quit -- very proud. Now I just need him to quit for real, too. Sigh....some day, I guess, when he's ready. RAINIE: I'm so happy your hubby really did notice -- I'll bet he just didn't want to say anything and somehow jinx it for you. Sounds like you've got yourself a real sweetie, there and a keeper! Lucky Rainie! Glad you had a fabulous NASCAR weekend, too. While I don't partake myself and understand zero about it, I can certainly appreciate the enthusiasm (no, fervor -- no, obsession) with the sport you and a certain wacky first mate have exhibited! PAT: So, did you get a picture of whoever #43 is? (Names, please, for the uninitiated.) Your weekend was not altogether unpleasant, huh, what with the beaches, the casino, the fabulous food and the like? OK, here's a BEACH hint: the sunsets are the most amazing and colorful you've ever seen, the sands are white and fine and oh-so-warm between your toes. Look at your meters, shipmates -- you'll be there with us on THE BEACH before you know it! CAP'N: Yes, sir -- the DARK chocolate M&M's are now officially on board. How ABOUT that??!! Thanks for the request. Glad you had time to enjoy the Pebble Beach tournament, as did I. Golf is much more my speed (SLOWER) than NASCAR. I'd love to play Pebble Beach some day. Hmmm, year's reward -- definitely a golf vacation SOMEplace, that's for sure. I'd better start planning it now. JT: Welcome aboard to you! Your food is beyond excellent! (Although, to be fair, my palate, is fairly simple -- a little wine, a little chocolate and I'm a happy camper -- er, shipmate!) Please, sit with me awhile and have some wine and chocolate -- you're working too hard in the kitchen already! Chocolate is a guaranteed crave-buster, you know! Congratulations on your quit -- you'll holler if you need help, right? FREEMOM: I'm so sorry you have so many sicklings at your abode -- get a caregiver for them all and join us onboard s

Rainie: I KNOW I need to listen to you, especially about important gambling matters! So, I, um, well, .....ok, I never did play the 8s and 1s as you suggested. I'm sorry!! I got so busy with my wonderful granddaughter -- I forgot! Oh boy, so now I owe you for your new clothing. No problem -- we'll figure it out and you deserved a reward anyway, now, didn't you? Next time, I promise I'll listen! How's it going for you today? The voices in your head still pretty loud? Just make sure the "good" Rainie voice out-talks the "junkie" Rainie voice, ok? Keep the faith -- your stats are looking great! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 113 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,550 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $904 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 4 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40