minty fresh
1 hour ago

Well done Chrissie - it was wild wasn't it - I felt like a drunken sailor trying to get to the door - worst thing was....I was sober!!! I hope that you're feeling a little more settled now - I know it's not back to normal but it's better than it was and the Sun is shining. Great day for catching up on the washing ...the wind is there too.

Talk more later. Be good and remember to boil the water!! What area are you in? I'm in Spreydon.

chrissie34
1 hour ago

hey minty fresh

I am in St Albans we have been spared compared to some parts of the city!! Went for a drive yesterday and cannot believe the disaster around the city!! My sister lives in Spencerville and she is lucky but 5 houses around her are completely destroyed... Yes catching up on some washing good day for drying!!!

steve76
4 hours ago

Thats awesome Shane. Big shout in 10 days??

rubytuesday
4 hours ago

Good on you, isnt it so good to see the days roll past and know the cigs get further and further away. I'm 4 months clear and over the worst..

Dentarthurdent
3 hours ago

Awesome Stuff Shane. 100 Days is nearly there!!!!!

steve76
2 hours ago

Dentarthurdent, you must be in the final stages of preparation for a 100 day party yourself??

1Lyn1
2 hours ago

Really well done Shane. Hope smokefree life is getting easier for you now. Started getting easier for me at about the 90 day mark.

Dentarthurdent
1 hour ago

Thanks Steve, 96 days for me so yeah, about to sneak up on the century.

pukeko
18 hours ago

Hey struggling dl.....we are a team...watch your back....read about marie being allergic to those patch things coz we are the "patch club" lol

minty fresh
15 hours ago

Hi there DL - nuisance isn't it when these quit smoking aids don't suit....I'd make an appointment with my GP and see what he/she can offer me as an alternative - I believe that there are some out there. Good Luck DL and let me know how things are going with you. ☺

minty fresh
15 hours ago

Wow Pukeko - death really rocks a community and makes us all think. Just had another after shock here (in chch) so gonna switch off now as the monitor is shaking quite badly again.

Dentarthurdent
1 hour ago

Sorry to hear that pukeko. Glad to hear your's are fine. That sounds awful I know, especially when another family has just lost a child but I hope you know what I mean.
Kia Kaha

pukeko
19 hours ago

lisa2...I am so happy for you!!!
There is a website...I should know it coz that was one of my meltdown nights with my kids... ....FOUND IT
....http://www.dedicateddesigns.com.qk?

I too am worried debz30.../ even if you are smoking....get back to us....we are a team...this is a crisis moment....I know what I would be reaching for......we love you...we stand by you....like yas01 walk the walk....then understand........................................I(we) are all here for you guyz.....xx

minty fresh
15 hours ago

Hi there Lisa - the Quit Keeper you're looking for is at www.dedicateddesigns.com/qk - Pukeko was close there lol. Just hop on over and input your details (no identifying details needed) and you'll be able to add your stats by pressing Ctrl F12 in emails and blogs. The great thing about this is IT'S FREE!!!!

Good luck Lisa and well done for your stats so far - great work. This quit keeper is really motivational as it ticks over in real time so you can just sit and look at it and inspire yourself!!! lol Well done Lisa ☺

lisa2
19 hours ago

Hi Hollie and welcome you have come to the right place everyone is very supportive here, i am sorry to hear about your mother and am sure its a great motivation for you, i am a newby hear to but have fast learnt this group of amazing people is exactly what i have needed to finally become smokefree, every time i think about wanting a smoke i come on here and just read peoples blogs of there own personal journeys from day one till present day the information we need to stay quit is endless on here anyways good luck we all with ya and welcome again.

redhead72
18 hours ago

agree with lisa2 100% this site gives continous support and motivation

pukeko
17 hours ago

Hey Hollie...hard to deal with...hey...when it happens close...to home...it is always in our lives harder to actually deal with....so until you walk the walk
how can you talk the talk....
grief..omg...I only just learnt about grief...& the guilt of grief... my father was an absolute mfker frm hell...any wonder why i smoked....yeah had the counselling...as your journey in life goes......I have finally learnt....I AM SAFE!!!......I am actually safe....no one can ever hurt me ever again...
I learnt this with ...you guys ....xx talk later ...yep a journey...as we all have xx

minty fresh
15 hours ago

Hi there Hollie - well done on making two really good choices, firstly setting a quit date and secondly jumping onboard the quitters wagon with the rest of us bloggers! lol It's great that you're really investigating your personal smoking habits and looking at them for what they are. I used to work in the hospital and knew lots of nurses and docs who smoked, they didn't like what they were doing either and wanted to stop - some of them did before I left there and have since found out that most of them are now smokefree - the ones who are still smoking look REALLY old. You have so many incentives to quit Hollie - you're young and so the smoking damage probably isn't visible yet (i.e. smokers lines), you have a possible health risk with the link to breast cancer, you're working in the health field and you know that you're mother would be so pleased with you if she knew that you'd thrown the cigarettes away and given yourself a chance at living a full, real, honest, fun, adventurous life. You know what Hollie that is precisely what you will be doing.......in order to succeed you have to be determined to push yourself through the 'urges' and 'cravings' despite being tempted. You are not allowed to succumb to excuses and you have to remind yourself that you are doing the best thing for YOU. Let's see if with our help you can push through the first three weeks and beyond. With determination Hollie YOU CAN. Onwards and upwards and keep on blogging ☺

maggie
14 hours ago

Hey nurses are the worst as smokers i did a study once to present at conference on how many nurses smoked it was a high percentage i know but i gave up and so far a sucess story 16mths and still going strong stay with it and this very supportive site i have been in touch with quitline today to tell them this is the place that quitters need to have and great members who will be with you all the way on your quit journey.

Dentarthurdent
3 hours ago

This is the right place for you right now. There are lots of blogs to read and they are full of advice and inspiration.
Everyone has slightly different experiences when quitting so there is no strict right or wrong to this. You will get the advice you need here though as this place is that is full of people who know exactly what you are about to go through.
Great stuff on making that first tough decision which is to quit.

tiggie
19 hours ago

I think the wind is with me!!!
Down in Dunedin, it is soooo windy, just waiting for my shed or roof to take off,then i will chase frantically round after them which is better than smoking.
Just coming to end of day 5 and so far so good. I am finding it really easy, this can't be right, going from 35 a day to 0. Maybe it's because i know i have u load of awesome peeps to disappoint and not just myself which is weird cause i don't really know any of u if u get my meaning. Thanks for being here anyway. :)

polhigg
17 hours ago

wind is supposed to hit us tonight Minty! I'm from bishopdale/harewood area. Was asking about Dallington as that got hit the worse. Took a drive by town (as close as i could get) last night and its pretty horrifiying stuff. we are lucky it happened while most people were sleeping. uni is shut for another whole week, seen pics of the library and it is munted. communial clean up in halswell tomorrow!
hope Debs is okay!!!
amazingly, i have not smoked. though once the quake stopped, it was the first thing i thought it.

xoxoxox

pukeko
17 hours ago

Hey guys thinking of you all...we are dealing with death in our community.....omg...I think thank god not my child but it is someones child...& I know of them not personally but what if.....so proud of you if you have not....but wtf still proud of you if you have....hey....we are a team !!!together xx

Dentarthurdent
3 hours ago

Glad to see you guys are all safe and well.

minty fresh
20 hours ago

Hi there Mags - alls well in Christchurch - a few dips and hollows, sand and bricks for miles but a lot of comradery and even a few laughs. We've been really lucky - just glad our situation is not as bad as it is in Pakistan......now that would be hell!!

Great to hear that all is well with you - keep on blogging Mags ♥ I'd love to see your stats ♥

pukeko
16 hours ago

minty fresh...no wonder you are who you are ...always so inspirational....thank you xxx I need this at the moment...xx

maggie
14 hours ago

Keep safe matey thinking of you all down there yes true could of been much worse i know Maggiexxxxxx

horlicks
1 day ago

Hi yas01. Go easy on yourself, you have just been through a bloody scary ordeal. Its ok for us to sit here and judge, we are not in your position. I think that if I were in your position I might have given in to the temptation too. Just concentrate on looking after yourself and your family at the moment and go easy on yourself, as you said you are only human. Take carexx

yas01
1 day ago

Thanks horlicks, just read your blog with tears flowing down my face. Just had another big shock. They start with a big bang then rock & roll.
We are very lucky so far though we live out in Hornby no where near the city thankfully.
Will go make a cuppa at least we have power now!
Will be in touch soon, thanks xx

steve76
23 hours ago

My thoughts are with you and everyone else from canterbury. We had quite a big one in Gisborne in 07 so can understand the stress and uncertain feelings. Stay strong everyone.

Kind Regards.

tea addict
22 hours ago

Hope you are okay - it must be so scary. I am thinking of you and everyone in Xchurch - all the best

pukeko
22 hours ago

Yas01 it is a bloody hard time ...each to their own of dealing with stuff...do not beat yourself up you have a game plan !! We are all here for you ..all of you...........
life throws curve balls & this is one hell of a ball ...........take care ...if there is anything we can do ....xx

pukeko
22 hours ago

Horlicks you are doing an o for awesome job !!! One month keep it up ,totally agree with you re this site
One Day At A Time xx

maggie
14 hours ago

Good for you keep up the great work i was there last year now nearly 16 mths smokefree you can do it !!!

pukeko
22 hours ago

You are all so brave....incredible amazing people thinking of you ....xx It really is a miracle ! take care of yourselves xx

pukeko
22 hours ago

Read back on blogs pretty sure it is normal...I felt like sometimes my chest was caving in & could not breathe..kept thinking wtf....but now starting to breathe one hell of a lot better.....went back to yoga after 3 months....if I had still been a smoker I would have had a heart attack.................lol...learn to breathe again xx

ozwald
17 hours ago

Hi CC60 Yes I had exactly what you are going through.
I blamed it on giving up smoking and battled on for three weeks.I found it hard to breathe when doing any activity, finally went to the Dr and I had a bad chest infection needing anti biotics etc.
Please go and see your Dr. I waited too long.
Yes it gets better quickly with help.

Dentarthurdent
3 hours ago

Yeah, It won't hurt to get checked out just in case.
However, I was the same. I had read all these things about coughing up all this gunk as your lungs started to clean and heal and must admit I was disappointed that it hadn't happened. About 10-12 days into my quit it started to happen and I started to feel better and breathe easier after that but getting it checked out is usually the safest way to go.
Some people don't cough up the gunk though so it is an individual thing. You will learn that there is no such thing as "Normal" when it comes to quitting:)

Dentarthurdent
3 hours ago

5 Days. Pretty awesome stuff by the way. The first week or so is the hardest and I see from your previous blog that you are now two days further than you have been before.
Stay strong and just focus on an hour at a time or a day at a time, whatever timframe feels comfortable for you. Together we can do this and we can help each other out when we are feeling alone, lost and ready to light up. It gets better, trust me.
Kia Kaha

horlicks
1 day ago

Hi Sue, glad that you and your family are ok, it must be bloody scary for you all at the moment. Be proud of yourself for not caving and buying some ciggys, thats really great. Hope you all stay safe down there, you guys have got the whole of NZ behind yous.

pukeko
22 hours ago

Sue proud of you.....thinking of you ...surreal for me xx

minty fresh
20 hours ago

Hey Suzie - so what did you put in your basket???? I chose water and loo cleaner as my essential items...what were yours??? lol (a bit like Survivor isn't it?) I should have opted for flint, machete and a tarp! lmao

pukeko
22 hours ago

Get that bottle of champagne ready.....countdown on....how fast it is xx

rubytuesday
1 day ago

Nah, you right onto it Tiwi.

pukeko
1 day ago

Tiwi you are back cool as !! Nice to be in control hahaha you sure are an awesome friend , everyone needs a shoulder xx

lisa2
1 day ago

people are sure made of different stuff in the south a (if you tell anyone i said that ill deny it) but really if i seen the same tv footage iv been watching all day.. but with Auckland as the back drop well i think i would've seen alot more tears than an elderly lady devastated by losing the things she was keeping for her grandchildren. minty fresh you are spates (spell check) to me even tho im a northy now i entered this world as a dunedin baby very happy to hear from you xxoo

pukeko
1 day ago

Whew glad you are ok minty fresh...I feel there are a lot more other bloggers down there too to hear from .
Hahahaha the first thing I thought of too was the toilet hygiene thing hahahahahaha ...who needs smokes chocolate & wine sound damn fine to me toooo xx
Thinking of you lots ..surreal watching & listening on the radio ...anything we can do ....xx

just jag
1 day ago

I agree with Lynne and I am sure all the quit family are thinking of you. I know Mittens is in Christchurch and it must be her one year breathday about now. Keep safe everyone.

pukeko
1 day ago

MY thoughts are with you all ... I cannot say anything more than already said kia kaha friends xx pukeko

minty fresh
1 day ago

Hi there Lynne, just jag and pukeko - thanks guys. Hope you're all doing great. Off to bed now, absolutely exhausted. Be back on soon. ☺

maggie
1 day ago

Yep to everyone in Christchurch thinking of you all here in top of the south Keep safe

Lese37
1 day ago

I agree 100%, Luv to all of you in CHCH!

rubytuesday
1 day ago

Far out. My father gave the tobacco away at 70, he's coming up to 84 and i know it was hell for him but he was old school and nevr said a word. Like him i quit cold turkey as i dont see the point of replacing nicotine with nicotine..in any form. That was 4 months ago and i still really miss that big first drag that hits the back of the throat then the glazed eyes and the hit of wellbeing..but what the hell, one drag means the walk to the drugshop to buy more and i cant be having it...

cojy
1 day ago

Hey Hang in there after four months your over the hill so to speak, the crave is short duration , big drink of cold water helps.Your right about the replacement patches but if you need the help to quit do it.

cojy

rubytuesday
1 day ago

No I wont be going back to the nicotine. I'm very glad to be free, no longer have the anxiety it caused, not to mention the lungs/cough/flu fears and the money ive saved is nice...

cojy
1 day ago

way to go rubytuesday, it only gets better you have the right att. you will make it . I was lucky so far after all the years of smoking and still in good shape. Just got the pictures on our late night news about the quake in Christchurch, hopefully it is only Property damage. By the way how much are cigs in NZ they are aroung six US dollars on the low end.name brands a lot higher.

rubytuesday
1 day ago

Think Christchurch Ok, just very shocked..we all expected Wellington to cop it.
As for the price of cigarettes here- lots. I used to smoke rollies and a 50gram packet is now $41.00..can you believe that. I think tailor mades are maybe $15 a pckt. Not sure but you have to be rich now to have a nicotine habit here.

cojy
5 hours ago

Hey minty fresh, thank you for the excepting a visitor from another planet. :-) This is pretty neat talking by computer half way around the world and to the Southern Hem. I'm in the upper mid west of the States by the shores of Lake Michigan. Going into fall right now.
I was looking this morning at a few hundred pictures in CHCH I understand that is where you are. It is amazing no one killed so far as the early reports. But the damage looks to be extensive.
I was in one quake in Japan in 1954 at night also was quit a shock as not use to have the earth moving.
I always thought NZ and Aust. would be a great
Vacation. It is great you can still smile and laugh after what you just went threw.Hope it isn't enough to think about lighting up lol.
Sounds like we have the same weather men .

rubytuesday
1 day ago

Watching all the devastion in ChCh on the TV here in Orkland, bludy hell you got a wallop..good thing the laptop didnt sink..and i just know what that drag of the fag was like...

pukeko
1 day ago

OH Tiwi are you ok...........you are nice lol glad your humour is back///...have missed you xx
So spooning now hahahaha you go into overdrive with that giving up huh lol wow glad you not hurt....not quite sure...you did just breathe deeply ...yeh!! hahahaha

Tiwi
1 day ago

hahaha no no I'm not in Christchurch, I was speaking in 'general' that we're sinking.
So I'm fine, apart from a scratched earlobe and some pretty scuffed up trainers.
I'm in Tauranga, quite safe, for now at least.
But yeah those poor buggers, I can't imagine for what they must be going through.
Christchurians are a pretty robust folk, they'll pull through, we're kiwi's eh, that's what we do