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Day 11 has come and gone and it’s on to day 12. So far it’s been a good day, kinda lazy day but good so far. Been working on my computer stuff and watching Stargate SG1 on a video stream. Today I’m going to install either Ubuntu or Centos on a server which will serve as my back up DNS and file repository as well as attempt to get Windows 2008 server installed so I can play around with that as well. I also need to find some time to review and study up on my CCNA exam as I want to take that test in two to three weeks before school starts.

After going down to the university I found out that I will have to take the remaining 16 credits of classes at Western as the rules they have regarding transfer credits and their FIFO (First in First out) method of transfer credits. Basically you have to have taken your last 60 credits at that institution but 15 can be from another college. Well I am at that point now, but if i take 16 credits elsewhere then I can’t graduate from Western. So I am going to have to bite the bullet and just go there.

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So far so good this morning, urges are fading more and more (thankfully) but Cyndi has failed. I am going to push on and stay a non-smoker. I have a feeling Cyndi will be one of the fatalities of tobacco as I don’t think she wants to or will ever quit smoking unless it becomes a life threatening issue. I was hoping that we both would quit and stay quit, begin working out at the gym and doing more outdoor stuff as smoking is what was holding me back, or should I say the lack of “lung power” was holding me back.

Anyways, I think I’ll go get a massage, get a haircut, then drive down to Monmouth to talk to the Writing Center about getting a waiver for 3 credits of a “Writing Intensive” class as they don’t seem to call anyone back nor answer their damn phone.

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I’ve been discovering different smoking triggers that I never would have imaged. For instance, when we were planting shrubbery and digging out a small area along the fence line for said shrubbery, I decided to take a break and sit down. A massive urge to light one up came over me! It was crazy, but made me realize how much smoking is a habit as well as an addiction.

Last night Charlie and I went shooting pool and I’m thankful that Washington is now a non-smoking state for bars, but it still doesn’t take that old trigger away. Yesterday was definitely one of the worst for fits / urges and I’m happy to say I’m still nicotine free.

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Well, it’s day 6 and while the fits are becoming farther and farther inbetween, they are still lurking around. Cyndi is outside cleaning up the front flower bed and I’m about to clean the garage a bit and help transplant some shrubbery we got from the parental units. So it appears it’s going to be a yard working day. What fun! I’m so excited, can’t you tell?

Didn’t get to the gym like I wanted to last night as we went and visited my parents, but I did score a nice pair of New Balance sneakers so walking on the treadmill at the gym won’t be so hard on da feets!

Also found out what my grade was for my Math class, I got an ‘A’ so I’m pretty excited about that, worked hard in that class, pretty sure I got a ‘B’ in my other class, but I’m waiting on those grades.

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We took this picture of Robert and my second grandson Kurtli from Karl’s family when they came to visit us in July of 2008.

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So far this morning, it’s been better than yesterday. I think the main part of the withdrawl is mostly over but now it’s time to fight the habit portion, you know the hand-to-mouth thing that all smokers develop as well as the “Gotta have a smoke after a meal” bit.

I wanted to hit the gym yesterday with Cyndi but when I thought of the idea, it was 8:45pm and a bit late. Hopefully we’ll go today and try out our set of lungs with some exercise and then a dip in the spa. I’ve just been so paranoid about leaving the house the last few days because I’m afraid that I’ll break down and buy another pack of smokes, however, I think today I will.

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Today has been a bit harder than the other days, it’s being more subtle at trying to get back in and break me down. I’m staying focused on deep breathing exercises, drinking lots of fluids (like fruit juice) and chewing my gum. (Polar Ice from Extra)

I’m freaked out that if I leave the house I’ll break down and buy another pack of smokes, I only need to hold out for another few days and hopefully these fits will mostly be gone. I know a great deal of what I’m going through is habit as well as addiction, but Cyndi and I are hanging in like champs.

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On last Sunday, Cyndi and I ran out of smokes and as we agreed have quit smoking. Today is day three and the withdrawl symptoms have gotten easier, thankfully the first day I had the gum to lean on but yesterday I didn’t use one piece. I’ve been saying to myself, “This is the beginning of the rest of your healthier life, you can do it and get healthy again.”

Monday was Cyndi’s grandmothers 100th Birthday party at the nursing home that she lives at, the history that woman has in her head is amazing. I’ll have to upload the power point presentation at some point in the future for everyone to enjoy.