Thursday, December 24, 2009

The 8th Day of Christmas


I found a colorful surprise in the bread tin. Doesn't this look a bit like Noro Silk Garden? I started sneezing and coughing. But the hacking was not from the bread mold, it's from not smoking.

At risk of saying much more... I have not had a cigarette in 8 days. I actually started the process two weeks prior. My last cigarette was from a stale Venezuelan pack that I stashed away in my sock drawer four years ago. I took the nicotine gum out of the freezer and made a list of things that inspire my smoking.


I had to disassociate myself from certain behaviors like meeting up for beer, hanging out over coffee, and oddly enough knitting. I even walked home a different way.

Day 3 was the hardest — I would have stabbed a man in the eye for his cigarette. But after that I didn't miss it as much. I have noticed that I often run short on energy but I've been advised to expect it for two weeks.


I actually don't like nicotine gum, it reminds me of when I got into a regular "Skoal" and "chaw" habit (Colorado circa '83). But for a short while, fits of uncontrollable coughing, ruthless chewing, and being a shut-in will be a part of my life. I'm slowly putting myself back into familiar settings. I even made myself a new hat — a simple watchman's cap ("Savanna" GGH Yarn).





So on this 8th night, Christmas Eve, I celebrate with friends. Tomorrow Stephanie and I are making dinner for her parents.

5 comments:

knithound brooklyn said...

Good for you. I'm kicking it too. Only I am going the Chantix route. 2nd week and I am down to 4 a day. I reckon another two weeks and it will be gone forever.

Unknown said...

Maybe we should start a knitting support group. Hmmmmmm.

Beth said...

It gets so much easier! I used to smoke like a chimney. Maybe I'm five years smoke-free now. See, I don't even know. I quit gradually and did a TON of yoga. Keep on keeping on.

Unknown said...

Tony, so nice to see your smiling face. good luck kicking a very long habit, it will be well worth it. Big hug!

Anonymous said...

I hope it's still going okay with the not smoking. I know what you mean about habits - changing my career (from film to teaching) was my biggest help in kicking the habit. Though I never could deal with chaw - my one attempt (ski team, Maine) ended up with me gagging and everyone laughing. I hadn't though of that day for forever until I read your post!