Aw, Julie, you're TOO sweet! All for me, huh?? Whoooooeeeeeeeee!! Ok, MomMom, I'm definitely in for Vegas (although I will need a chaperone, as gambling can be one of my wee addictions -- who will volunteer to keep an eye on me near the tables?). Perhaps our friends the Chippendales will be available in Vegas! Dancing boys! Alright! What is my pleasure for food, you ask? Well, I AM the chocolate and wine queen, so that pretty well suits me. I do love seafood, so perhaps a little lobster is in order for the occasion. Yum!!! Thanks, shipmates! You're the BESTEST ever! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 151 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,078 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1208 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 19 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

JULIE: 2 Months??!!!! No way -- you just quit, didn't you??!! I'm SO proud! (Of course, your quit always seems to go much faster for me than for you, I'm sure.) CONGRATULATIONS! See the Stats Section for more props for you! FREEMOM: Your very honest post was a wonderful thing to see. Obviously, I'm disappointed that you will have to start your quit over, but I'm heartened that you say "I like myself better as a nonsmoker". You know we're here for you when you're ready. No shame, no blame, but we will stay on you to make sure you've prepared yourself to become the nonsmoker you CAN and WILL become. You're an important part of the Magic Ship, but of course, it's nonsmoking only. We need our smoke-free Music Director back! I'm touched that my shout-out to you was "heard" and felt. That's what the SSC is all about, you know. The word "support" isn't there by accident! Sending a ton of hugs your way --- keep the faith, my friend! As for the rest of my shipmates, it's Monday -- take a deep breath -- it shall be over soon! Welcome back, Miss Rainie! Now dish already -- we need DETAILS, girl! Love you all! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 155 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,218 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1240 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

JULIE: I was going to send you a thread in STATS for your two awesome months, but now you've got the math-challenged Faith VERY confused! Your stats meter says you quit on January 15th and you're at 56 days. Uh...wouldn't that mean your two month mark would actually be on Thursday the 15th? Hmmmmmm. Don't want to jump the gun, so let me know where I've gone wrong. Otherwise, I owe you one on Thursday! Keep the faith, darlin'! (And that almost-2-month quit) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 155 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,218 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1240 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 55 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30

RAINIE: Well, it's interesting that the entire day went by and you haven't yet received a response. C'mom shipmates -- let's talk about it! Here's my take: It is getting tougher to keep people on board regularly (you know, life getting in the way and all) and with spring and summer coming, it could get even tougher. BUT, this ship has meant a lot to a number of us and has kept some quits going. THAT's important stuff. So, if we can find a way to still "find" each other when we need to, or start a new thread, I'm ok with that. But I don't want anyone to feel abandoned either. When Freemom comes back, she needs to know she can find us. Let's hear from some of the others on board -- hello, anybody here??? Talk to me, talk to Rainie. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 157 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,317 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1256 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 37 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

FAITH reporting for duty! I am the ship's official greeter and wine and chocolate "specialist" (or hander-outer, as Pat would say). I also laugh a lot at my shipmate's silliness (quite a valuable trait, I would think). In Ladycigevictor (or Pat)'s temporarary absence, I will report that she is the Magic Ship's First Mate and Resident Wit (I so proclaim). Freemom, of course, is our stellar Music Director. Freemom, where are you? We miss you! You hanging in there ok? Now, we have several new shipmates who have yet to be given duties: Lynne, we discover, is also a nurse (quite handy for us all, eh?), but perhaps there is yet another talent lurking which would be so useful for her shipmates. Redytoquit, we haven't heard a peep from her in awhile -- SHOUT OUT for Redytoquit: You OK? What task shall you perform on board ship? And of course, Nursehubby -- we have NO idea what talents he may have. We'll ask Nurse and MomMom -- they'll know! That's my report -- of course, no smokin' here! Wouldn't dream of it! Keep the faith, my friends! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 141 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,675 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1128 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Welcome, Lynne! Hey, gang, we got us TWO nurses now. How about THAT?! Phil sent you, didn't he, Lynne? You specialize in mental health and he could tell we needed a little extra attention in that regard, is that right? The more the merrier, I say! So welcome aboard! You DO pledge your allegiance to chocolate, correct? That's very important here, as you know. Happy to have you here -- the others will be along soon, I'm sure, to welcome you as well. Keep the faith [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 140 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,620 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1120 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 52

Redytoquit: WELCOME, girl! Happy to see your shining "no way am I smokin'" smile! The more the merrier on the Magic Ship! I am, of course, the ship's official greeter and wine and chocolate "specialist". So, come sit with me awhile while we partake of the goodies. What's your pleasure? The others will be along shortly, I'm sure, to welcome you in their own inimitable style. Rainie: Good to hear from you again (you're working too hard, my dear!). Sorry that Pat won't be with us for a bit -- hope it's nothing too serious. This means, you know, that you will need to step up to the plate now with wit and wisdom on top of your usual to make up what we'll be missing from the first mate. Cap'n: Yes, indeed, we BOOMERS are going to take over the world. Bwa ha ha ha ha! Freemom: Touch base here, ok? We need to know how you're doing. We WORRY, you know! In the meantime, do you have a special song to welcome Redytoquit on board? Keep the faith, gang! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 139 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,593 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1112 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28

CAP'N: Thanks for the great "Happy Birthday" blues version -- loved it! I don't look a "day over 30", huh? Oh, you're such a suck-up -- I like that about you! Your notion of the Chippendales stopping by for tonight's party is a GREAT one -- in fact, I think I'm beginning to perk up even as we speak. Good call, Cap'n! MOMMOM: I asked for a ride to a place where I could feel 1000% better -- and you provided me with my own nurse?!! Wow -- talk about going above and beyond the call of duty -- you're good! NURSE: Welcome, welcome, and welcome again! Boy, your timing is perfect! Is it too late for a flu shot? Poor me -- I am indeed feeling sorry for myself, but I know this can't last forever either. Poor Rainie -- I hope I didn't get her sick! Because I'm a mite down and out today, I will have to OWE you your welcoming chocolate and wine, unless one of my shipmates would be willing to spot me for the day. Tonight's big talent show and the Chippendale's will go a LONG way toward taking my mind off being sick. Thanks, everyone -- you're the best! Keep the faith, all! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 137 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,500 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1096 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 17 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 36 [B]Seconds:[/B] 46

Freemom: Is it YOUR birthday today, too?? Or did our shipmate JT get us mixed up? If so, JT, you'll have to sing again! Thank you all for your birthday wishes for me -- I'm 55 today and feel 155! I've been down with a flu/cold -- don't know what -- but it sure feels like a big truck rolled over me night before last! Is it ok to feel sorry for yourself on your birthday? You know what's funny? I haven't felt this sick in years and I thought about smoking more yesterday than just about my entire quit. Not sure I'd have had the energy to light one even if I'd had one available, but I thought it strange that it poppped through my little pea-brain so much yesterday. Well, on to a new day today -- feeling a little better and looking forward to a fabulous show from my wonderful shipmates. RAINIE: 28 days! You go, girl! I'm so proud of you -- boy, those quit meters just keep rolling and rolling! The party will never end on the Magic Ship because there will always be new celebrations -- that's just the way we like it! KYGIRL: You've probably already baked the cake, but I do so hope it's chocolate (would the ship's Chocolate Queen have any other kind??!!). Thank you for doing such a great job as our new pastry chef. With JT as our new Fitness Coach, we can't go wrong! Ironically, I had just purchased a fancy-pants pedometer and was trying to figure it all out the other night when the truck came through my living room! The sun was out and it was gorgeous all day yesterday (figures, after a week of rain and hail) and I couldn't get out to walk. I couldn't even walk downstairs unassisted yesterday. BUT, I will get back to it and see if I can't crack the pedometer code. I have been walking four to five times a week and I'm truly inspired now by all my shipmates. MOMMOM: Such a nice offer to helicopter me anyplace I want to go! Right now, I want to go to "I Feel 1000% Better Land" -- can you get me there? PAT, CAP'N, FREEMOM, Are you all practicing your fabulous talents? One of the shows better include some get-down blues on the harmonica! Hint hint. Keep the faith, all! Have a wonderful day [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 137 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,493 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $

Freemom: Did you say CHOCOLATE? You know I'm there for you -- here, sweetie, take all you need. Wine, too? Or maybe you've had too much of that with all these parties in the last few days, hmmmmm? You deserve your chocolate -- you earned it what with conquering a monster crave tonight. You're getting so GOOD at this! Sleep tight now -- and keep the faith [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 135 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,438 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1080 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 17 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 41