Sorry I've been missing!!

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. Penny seems to hit it right on the dot with what is going on with me too so I always just read hers and say yeah, thats how I'm doing too!! The emotional touchy, impaitient, crabby stuff gets to me too.Luckily Rick has not decided to divorce me yet , he's a good guy he just stays out of my way. Basically I've been keeping real busy too.The 30 year old teenager living with us is more nerve racking than anything!! But he quit smoking too so hey what can I say?? oh and by the way ~~ I like Cheetoes!! and some dip with mine Thanks!

Kim

Down, Down, Down

I don't know why the rest of the links haven't been on. The physical addition is long gone, but the emotional part is killing me. It seems that every relationship I have has suffered. I'm not handling day to day pressure or problems very well. The things that used to excite me and get me out of bed in the mornings just aren't doing it for me right now. I haven't spent much time with Justine, Carol and Randy in the last 4 weeks and I hate that. Bobby is about ready to vote me off the island. Some good news though is my American Express bill was $200 lower this month. This is the first time I have quit smoking and really saw the financial savings.

Anyway, sorry everybody for my lack of Penny lately. I sure hope this passes. I am miserable. I'm sure glad kitten season is slow right now because I don't even know if I could muster up the energy to help them right now.

Even my relationship with God right now is not right and that alone is knocking my socks off.

Maybe just blogging will help. I even asked Santa yesterday for a real estate loan modification for Christmas. Is that sad or what?

Don't worry. I'm not going to commit caticide or anything. Just one day at a time..
$

30 days...hummmm

Well, here we are. 1 Month...Seems like 2 years ago, just wish I could control my emotions better. Peri is here right now and she is doing well, but mentioned that we shouldn't hang out at gas stations or AM PM markets. I was thinking the other night that we are recovering smokers. Do we get to earn chips? I like Sun Chips..French Onion. hahah.

Hey Kim, Justine, Followers...Ya out there???

All forgotton about....Lets light up.. No not really.

Month #2 coming..PAY UP!!!

XOXOX, Penny

The hoopla is over

It's been 3 weeks. Thats 21 days..I hear it takes 21 days to start a habit, but I think it might take more than that to break one. I think all the links are doing ok. Carol, Justine & Patrick are all off the patch, and I haven't talked to Kim in a few days. I'm going to stay on for the whole 10 weeks. I failed twice with the patch before,(didn't do the whole 10 weeks) much later then within the 10 weeks, but I have always wondered if that is why I wasn't successful long term. The urges are just as strong, but not as often.

I was spending $50 wk, will be glad when that shows back up.

Love to all,
Penny

New Granddaughter

My new granddaughter Tilly Ann has arrived! I was at the hospital all day with my daughter and new baby ~ even got to give her first bottle to her!They are doing fine and I never even thought of going out for a smoke break! Kim Cairnes

2 weeks ago tonight

Justine and I were talking on the phone every 30-45 minuets, smoking and discussing our new life......1/2 way to 1 month. HURRAY

Wendy

That picture of Wendy on our list of followers is a fake. I know Wendy and she is much thinner that that. The humor is still there...I'm feeling better today. My buddies Carol & Randy (Fellow links) came over for a visit today and they are just as miserable as me...HURRAY!!

Misery loves company!! Come on back over soon!

Love you all!
$

Another Day.....

I know how you feel Penny! Things just don't seem right! I hardly spend time outside anymore ~ thats where I always smoked.I have really had to watch the grumpiness too.I do hope that all this will get easier soon.But I am still determined not to smoke so I guess all is good!! Kim Cairnes

Day 13

13 days-seems to be getting better physically-not sure. I try to think of how good I smell and how disgusting cigarettes smell to get me through a really tough moment. Hi to all the links-have a good day!

Blue, Blue, Blue

Just hung up from Justine...It's not just me. It's like the dynamics of life have all changed. It's not nearly as much fun as it once was. I don't miss smoking at all. I don't want one either. It's just weird. The things that really used to make me happy just 2 weeks ago just don't seem that important. My kitties aren't even doing it for me right now, and I have never felt like that in the 4+ years I have been with Fieldhaven......Hope I get my spark back and soon...I hate feeling like this....Oh damn, it's a pity party for Penny...boo hoo..

Carol & Randy

These two don't blog, so I thought I would update you. Carol is doing well for the most part. Kinda like the rest of us, wants one when she wants one, but she is working though it. Randy is chewing gum like a son-of-a-gun and is very tired. Wants to sleep a lot. He isn't using the patch. He's a tough guy!

As with all of us, we are tired. Our metabalizum (sp) is slowing down. Thats one of the nasty changes our bodies are going through. So, leave a message when you call, we are napping!!

Hey Patrick???? Where are you? Your not at 7-11 are you?

A Whole Week!!??!!

It sure seems like it should be more than just a week!!I have my moments when it is a struggle but the store is quite a drive so that takes care of the urges!!I was actually around a smoker the other day and really did not feel that tempted so I must be making some headway.Well hope the other links our doing well too ~~ Kim Cairnes

Sunday November 8th

Wow, its been a week and i am so proud. I have had a few moments where I was very close to going down the road to buy a pack of smokes-but i didn't. I don't handle stress well-then add a change of jobs and being a non-smoker....eek..where is this strenth coming from? I hope all the other links are doing well-would you all call me once in a while..I would love to hear your voices. Oh by the way-Mr. Obama is the funniest cat at times-he fell in the toilet today and just walked away like "I don't care who just saw that"...He is so well behaved. I can't seem to get him on the couch or the bed-and he is allowed. His sister Sierra(dog) loves him..she wants to be with him and loves to wrestle with him. Never an aggressive sound out of either of them. My home should now be called "Justine's Ark." Love you all! Justy

Happy Birthday!

I would like to wish my other links a Happy 1 week Birthday. WE MADE IT! Dang though when it's hard, it's hard. Some days are better than others and stress is a big no-no, at least for me anyway. Stll looking for monthly contibutors though. IS EVERYBODY ALIVE OUT THERE??

Crappy day

Lungs are either feeling better or very angry....Lots of junk in there and I can take a much deeper breath then just 5 days ago. Rotten day though, lost a kitten that was very sick and I didn't have my stress reliever/reward when all was over, and the bake sale on top of everything else. I'm with Kim, I think I'm very tired. Looking forward to the one week mark on Sunday. It's funny today was harder then day 1 or two. Hanging on..........

Another Day.....

Well I've made it this far.... The patch was too strong and it made me sick and just very very tired so I went without for a couple days but I didn't feel good so I wasn't very tempted to smoke. Now I cut the patch in half and I'm not sick but boy the urge is there more!!My hard time is from dinnertime until bedtime ~~relaxing time.I'm holding in there though!! Like Justine said one minute at a time!!
Kim Cairnes(formerly Atchley)

Day 5

Well a few days ago I would have already smoked 2-3 cigarettes this morning. I am really happy everytime I don't have one. I honestly thought I wasn't going to be able to quit. I have a long way to go but I am taking it one minute at a time. Hope you all have a great day. Love Justine

Day 4

Joy said to check in, so I'm checking in. I still feel like I'm forgetting something, all the time. Also, I think Berta's Primorye Gold may be helping keep me calm. THANKS BERTA. Too busy most of the time to give the cravings much thought, but when I do have down time..KABAM! Sleeping is a good escape. Going to be very busy next 2 days with the bake sale, but will try to check in with all of you on Saturday. Bye for now..NOT ONE MORE PUFF...EVER!

1st Weekday

Some rough spots today, mostly feel like I am forgetting something. Smoking also told me to take a break and go outside and light up. I will try to find another way to relax for short times during the day. Thanks to Bethany and Fox 40 News for coming out to the shelter this am for a couple of live spots. They helped get out our message and showcased some of our beauties and the kitties too!

Until next time...

NOT ONE MORE PUFF...EVER

Day 1 (The Ranch)

Well, we all made it through the day and nobody got hurt. We are having a mini slumber party since JOY is making us be over at Fieldhaven at 6AM for Fox 40 News. Me, Patrick,Peri and Justine are all here together.

Thanks to all of you supporters for all your help and companionship. Oh, and we collected $240.00 this morning at breakfast for the new shelter!!

Love to all from the Ranch!!

End of Day One !!!!

Made it through today. I did struggle while driving Penny's Tahoe, because we spent so much time smoking in it while running errands for Field haven. After returning to the ranch I was able to get over the cravings. Hope to hear from you all.

Day 1

Made it through the first day!! Yeahhhh!!There were a couple times out of habit I thought hey cigarette time...until I remembered I don't do that anymore.So anyways heres some facts to think about:
When you quit smoking ~~
~ In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back to normal.
~ In 8 hours the carbon minoxide (a toxic gas)levels in your blood
will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal.
~ In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased.
All nicotine will have left your body.Your sense of taste and smell
will return to a normal level.
~ In 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax,and your energy levels
will increase.

The next update at the two week mark!!Little by little we will feel better so everyone keep fighting the urge!! I am! Kim Cairnes (formerly Atchley)

Two More Days to Go!!!!!

This is Kim -- Two more days to go and I am ready!! I have really been wanting to do this for a long time~~ I don't know what my excuses have been??!!?? I have a new grand daughter coming anytime now and a wonderful supporting (hes new too!!) husband so WHY NOT????I started smoking when I was a dumb teenager (we've all been there) because my little brother always pissed me off and smoking calmed me down ~~ well actually it made me dizzier than heck but you know~~that calmed me down.Can't use that excuse anymore!! There just are NO EXCUSES so gang LETS DO IT!!!! Kim Cairnes (formerly Atchley)

Justine's thoughts for Thursday

It is Thursday and I keep thinking..in a few days my morning routine of coffee and cigs will be no longer. I am scared but excited at the same time. I am such a creature of habit-this will be a hard habit to break. I am so looking forward to the big picture-no more coughing, smelly breath, spending $39.00 every week on a carton, and worrying that I smell like an ashtray. I have been smoking for 24 years...a good year to quit-24 is my favorite number. It is time-I have my friends to share this journey..and a whole group of people supporting me wherever I go. How can I NOT try. Thanks to all for your support, I will need it! Love ya-Justine

The FieldHaven Chain Gang to Stop Smoking Sunday, November 1st

Several volunteers at FieldHaven Feline Rescue in Lincoln, CA have made the ultimate pledge for their shelter - donating $10 for each month they quit smoking. The public is invited to sponsor the "Chain Gang" in hopes this will raise much needed funds to build a new shelter.

"The Chain Gang" Web Page

FieldHaven's New Shelter Campaign

Best of luck to Penny, Patrick, Kim, Randy, Carol, Justine and Peri! Keep your eye on this blog for the progress of the Chain Gang and the New Shelter Fund.