Deda
02-12-2004, 04:51 PM
Hey my wonderful non-smoking co-horts--
Could you please give me your thoughts and any suggestions you might have regarding this upcoming event, which I'm already starting to worry about, (a little)!!...
Hubby and I are going on trip up to L. Tahoe next weekend, (the 21st) for 3 days. We invited some very close friends of ours. She's a good friend of mine, altho we don't see each other very often. (She owns her own business and works another job too). Anyway this is the way they smoke...I can't really say they are full time smokers, cause they're not, but they smoke (when at home) only 1 cig a day. When she is with friends that smoke, she smokes a little more, (bums em). But normally just 1 cig a day. But I just found out that when she goes to the casinos, she buys a pack and smokes throughout time spent in casino. (My dad does the same thing). We'll be going out to eat together while we're there, but I don't really want to sit (yet) in the smoking section. I know I won't be spending every moment w/ her in the casino as we play different games, BUT, we will be spending some time together. I'm just a little worried I guess, worried how much this is going to get to me or not. I know I have 4.5 months smoke-free, but I don't feel I'm THAT strong yet. I still sometimes want to smoke. Now, I went to the casinos 2 weeks after I quit, and stayed for 4 days, and even sat by my dad for a while while he smoked, and I was strong and did okay. Sometimes I think I did alright because it had only been 2 weeks and I didn't miss them that much yet. I still miss them, I'm not gonna lie.
What do you all think???? Any suggestions??? :rolleyes:
DEDA
ps--I reserved them smoking rooms cuz I knew they smoked some, but she asked me to please switch that reservation to non-smoking rms, because she said she can't sleep in a room w/ cig smoke cuz it feels like she's sleeping in a big ashtray!!! :confused:
Could you please give me your thoughts and any suggestions you might have regarding this upcoming event, which I'm already starting to worry about, (a little)!!...
Hubby and I are going on trip up to L. Tahoe next weekend, (the 21st) for 3 days. We invited some very close friends of ours. She's a good friend of mine, altho we don't see each other very often. (She owns her own business and works another job too). Anyway this is the way they smoke...I can't really say they are full time smokers, cause they're not, but they smoke (when at home) only 1 cig a day. When she is with friends that smoke, she smokes a little more, (bums em). But normally just 1 cig a day. But I just found out that when she goes to the casinos, she buys a pack and smokes throughout time spent in casino. (My dad does the same thing). We'll be going out to eat together while we're there, but I don't really want to sit (yet) in the smoking section. I know I won't be spending every moment w/ her in the casino as we play different games, BUT, we will be spending some time together. I'm just a little worried I guess, worried how much this is going to get to me or not. I know I have 4.5 months smoke-free, but I don't feel I'm THAT strong yet. I still sometimes want to smoke. Now, I went to the casinos 2 weeks after I quit, and stayed for 4 days, and even sat by my dad for a while while he smoked, and I was strong and did okay. Sometimes I think I did alright because it had only been 2 weeks and I didn't miss them that much yet. I still miss them, I'm not gonna lie.
What do you all think???? Any suggestions??? :rolleyes:
DEDA
ps--I reserved them smoking rooms cuz I knew they smoked some, but she asked me to please switch that reservation to non-smoking rms, because she said she can't sleep in a room w/ cig smoke cuz it feels like she's sleeping in a big ashtray!!! :confused:
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Invincible
02-14-2004, 03:47 AM
Hey Deda ... everytime your friend picks up a cigarette .. imagine the smoke turning her lungs black .. imagine how her gums are rotting and how her face is wrinkling ... mind over matter!
Start a mental mantra ... "Eventhough I miss cigarrettes, I've chosen to be healthy, free and strong" (or something like that) ... make it something powerful to you.
Start a mental mantra ... "Eventhough I miss cigarrettes, I've chosen to be healthy, free and strong" (or something like that) ... make it something powerful to you.
Deda
02-14-2004, 02:13 PM
I'll try that Invincible....thank you. Just hope we don't have to sit in that smoking section when we go out to eat!!!!
Happy Valentines Day Invince!!!! :blob_fire
Love,
DEDA
Happy Valentines Day Invince!!!! :blob_fire
Love,
DEDA
Leanea
02-15-2004, 03:38 PM
You have the right (and the responsibility) to refuse to sit in the smoking section.....even if it means sitting all by yourself. When I used to smoke I would never smoke at the same table as a non-smoker and certainly not a new ex-smoker! ....if you wanted to smoke you would, you don't need second-hand smoke instead! The casinos are full of smokers though, I guess gambling, smoking, and alcholol are all one lifestyle... anything addictive etc......esp. if you don't have a choice it sounds like? It should be fun to go to a casino, but I guess it just depends on who you're with. Aren't there non-smoking tables? There should be.....Anyway, in the end you can only control your willpower. Some people won't stand for second hand smoke, you may decide to become that kind of person! Nothing wrong with that! You have been so strong for four and a half months, that's important, and that's what you need to keep up.....good luck and have fun! :wave:
LL29
02-15-2004, 11:36 PM
Hi ladies and Deda I think the same - DO NOT SIT IN THE SMOKING SECTION.
It's just not worth it if you're feeling that weak and you don't need any crutches or excuses (not saying an excuse but you know what I mean - don't want you having any relapses when you knew what was coming up). I would explain to your friends that since they smoke VERY little - would they terribly mind if you ate in the nonsmoking section because you quit 4 1/2 months ago but yet are feeling a little weak and need all the support you can get.
If they refuse, then I guess you and hubby will choose to eat alone in the nonsmoking section. If they're "friends" - then they'll appease you. It's not like they're full time smokers anyway so it really shouldn't be a big deal.
DO NOT forget why it is that you quit Deda -= you've come WAY too far to turn back now. Remember - we don't know which one will do us in and it's not worth it to play russian roulette just to stink and smell like an ashtray.
BE STRONG Deda and if it came down to it and I felt that weak - guess what - suddenly I would become VERY ILL and couldn't go. LOL You do WHATEVER it takes but don't you dare smoke. :)
Stay strong and say your prayers Deda - he's brought you this far so don't stop now. :)
Love ya chic
Laurie :bouncing:
It's just not worth it if you're feeling that weak and you don't need any crutches or excuses (not saying an excuse but you know what I mean - don't want you having any relapses when you knew what was coming up). I would explain to your friends that since they smoke VERY little - would they terribly mind if you ate in the nonsmoking section because you quit 4 1/2 months ago but yet are feeling a little weak and need all the support you can get.
If they refuse, then I guess you and hubby will choose to eat alone in the nonsmoking section. If they're "friends" - then they'll appease you. It's not like they're full time smokers anyway so it really shouldn't be a big deal.
DO NOT forget why it is that you quit Deda -= you've come WAY too far to turn back now. Remember - we don't know which one will do us in and it's not worth it to play russian roulette just to stink and smell like an ashtray.
BE STRONG Deda and if it came down to it and I felt that weak - guess what - suddenly I would become VERY ILL and couldn't go. LOL You do WHATEVER it takes but don't you dare smoke. :)
Stay strong and say your prayers Deda - he's brought you this far so don't stop now. :)
Love ya chic
Laurie :bouncing:
Deda
02-16-2004, 05:40 AM
Oh, you guys are terrific! I will print this out and take it with me when i go, and if I get weak I'll pull it out and read it. I'll write more later as it's very late and I'm heading for beds. :yawn:
Love,
DEDA
Love,
DEDA
Deda
02-16-2004, 05:58 PM
Hey you guys...You are absolutely right, I should not sit in the smoking section whatsoever. Yes, they do have a nonsmoking section, (which is loaded with teens from the local area, gosh teens smoke alot in Nev.) which is a lot bigger than the smoking section. Yeah, the trouble with casinos is there are a lot of smokers in there. (these addictions do go hand in hand). But after I quit I did take notice that the non smokers outnumber the smokers. The great thing about this particular casino is that they have an awesome ventalation system in there, so you don't see any smoke "hanging" in the air. I appreciate that, and the only time smoke would really get to me in there is if a smoker is sitting right beside me at a slot machine. I can avoid that one, and think I'll stay away from the poker tables.
Thanks girls, (all 3 of you) for your suggestions and words of encouragement!!! :angel: 's
I think I'll be okay, and tonight I'm talking to this girlfriend and I'll let her know how I feel about it. She's very sweet and caring about others feelings so I think it will be okay.
Thanks again,
DEDA
Thanks girls, (all 3 of you) for your suggestions and words of encouragement!!! :angel: 's
I think I'll be okay, and tonight I'm talking to this girlfriend and I'll let her know how I feel about it. She's very sweet and caring about others feelings so I think it will be okay.
Thanks again,
DEDA
Leanea
02-18-2004, 07:29 AM
I used to go to Atlantic city and Foxwood's (with my boyfriend when I was underage, I know very naughty! but I never played, I just "supported" my boyfriend "proffessional gambler" and got lot's of free drinks!) and I think there may have been some non-smoking Blackjack tables, but I may be remembering wrong because I was a smoker at the time and I was more interested in not getting caught (never did thank God!) etc...anyway when you go can you see if there is that option, good for future reference and all.... :D
Invincible
02-18-2004, 11:59 AM
I think I'll be okay, and tonight I'm talking to this girlfriend and I'll let her know how I feel about it. She's very sweet and caring about others feelings so I think it will be okay.
That's great Deda, tell her how you feel!
That's great Deda, tell her how you feel!
Deda
02-19-2004, 04:15 PM
Hey Invincible and Leanea--
I will check on those table games and see if there's such a thing as non smoking tables. :confused: Actually this isn't a large casino we're going to, it's more mid sized, and I have this feeling they don't cater to non smokers in any way INSIDE the casino itself. But I will check.
I did speak to my friend, and everything is cool with her and her DH as far as sitting in the non smoking section, so YAY!...that's a relief. and she told me she would not smoke if we are playing side by side. It might not even bother me...who knows. Just as long as I don't have to sit in the restuarants with the smoking people, I'm happy. :D
You all had great suggestions and I thank you.
DEDA :jester:
I will check on those table games and see if there's such a thing as non smoking tables. :confused: Actually this isn't a large casino we're going to, it's more mid sized, and I have this feeling they don't cater to non smokers in any way INSIDE the casino itself. But I will check.
I did speak to my friend, and everything is cool with her and her DH as far as sitting in the non smoking section, so YAY!...that's a relief. and she told me she would not smoke if we are playing side by side. It might not even bother me...who knows. Just as long as I don't have to sit in the restuarants with the smoking people, I'm happy. :D
You all had great suggestions and I thank you.
DEDA :jester:
Leanea
02-20-2004, 02:49 PM
I don't know about non-smoking tables either. It was a few years back so I'm probably totally remembering wrong....Anyway good to hear you have such caring friends! It sounds like you will do great....maybe make some cash too! Good luck!!! :wave:
Deda
02-20-2004, 03:11 PM
Thank you Leanea! This is my lucky casino too as I won 10,000 $$ there in June 2000. :blob_fire ($1.00 slots) I'm feelin' lucky about this trip too. we'll see...
I'm going to kinda look around over there and see if the smokers outnumber the non-smokers. We all know that's not the case anywhere else these days. How about there in Turkey, Leanea? I thought I read once that the rate of smokers there was on the high side. With cigs being so cheap over there it would not surprise me a bit. And how have you been since that 1 cig relapse? Hope you are doing well! :)
DEDA
I'm going to kinda look around over there and see if the smokers outnumber the non-smokers. We all know that's not the case anywhere else these days. How about there in Turkey, Leanea? I thought I read once that the rate of smokers there was on the high side. With cigs being so cheap over there it would not surprise me a bit. And how have you been since that 1 cig relapse? Hope you are doing well! :)
DEDA
Deda
02-24-2004, 02:33 PM
Hey Guys--You smart non smoking guys and gals....
I'm back home and still smoke free too...YAY!!!! We had a fun time and others smoking didn't turn out to be a problem. My girlfriend and her DH were out there gambling the whole time, and to tell you the truth I didn't see them a whole lot. We did get together for meals and they were very gracious in not smoking. So I'm happy, albiet a few hundred dollars less, but oh well, we had fun!
Oh.. and today is my 5 months smoke free!!! :blob_fire
Hope everyone is doing well here and I'll catch up on the list later today!!!
DEDA
Leanea...No such thing as non smoking tables at this casino.
I'm back home and still smoke free too...YAY!!!! We had a fun time and others smoking didn't turn out to be a problem. My girlfriend and her DH were out there gambling the whole time, and to tell you the truth I didn't see them a whole lot. We did get together for meals and they were very gracious in not smoking. So I'm happy, albiet a few hundred dollars less, but oh well, we had fun!
Oh.. and today is my 5 months smoke free!!! :blob_fire
Hope everyone is doing well here and I'll catch up on the list later today!!!
DEDA
Leanea...No such thing as non smoking tables at this casino.
Tobias
02-24-2004, 03:59 PM
Do some casinos have non-smoking gambling areas? I live near a riverboat casino and it has a non-smoking area.
I'm with the others who say stay out of smoking areas. Really you have to do this for yourself. You may not be far enough along in your quit to tempt yourself. I lost what I thought was a solid quit at four months while on a vacation.
I've reached two years quit and it doesn't seem to matter whether I sit in non-smoking or not; we usually say that it doesn't matter when asked where we want to sit because we want to avoid having to wait for a table. I don't feel tempted.
I agree that smoking hotel rooms are AWFUL. Even as a smoker, I hated it when I walked into a hotel room that had been totally polluted by a smoker. Yuk. The very worst that I remember was a hotel in Arlington, VA near the pentagon that had no windows that opened. I thought I'd die from claustrophobia and my own smoke!
I'm with the others who say stay out of smoking areas. Really you have to do this for yourself. You may not be far enough along in your quit to tempt yourself. I lost what I thought was a solid quit at four months while on a vacation.
I've reached two years quit and it doesn't seem to matter whether I sit in non-smoking or not; we usually say that it doesn't matter when asked where we want to sit because we want to avoid having to wait for a table. I don't feel tempted.
I agree that smoking hotel rooms are AWFUL. Even as a smoker, I hated it when I walked into a hotel room that had been totally polluted by a smoker. Yuk. The very worst that I remember was a hotel in Arlington, VA near the pentagon that had no windows that opened. I thought I'd die from claustrophobia and my own smoke!
Leanea
02-24-2004, 05:19 PM
Congratulations on your 5 months smoke-free!!!! :bouncing: Sorry, you lost that cash, but better to gamble with your money than your life... Also, with that $10,000 you won along with all the cig money you're saving up you may not be losing after all....;) I can't wait till I get to the five month mark (I'm almost at two months, although I recently cheated once, that's scary!) :eek:
Deda
02-24-2004, 06:55 PM
I've reached two years quit and it doesn't seem to matter whether I sit in non-smoking or not; we usually say that it doesn't matter when asked where we want to sit because we want to avoid having to wait for a table. I don't feel tempted.
Hi Tobias--
Congratulations on your 2 year quit. Do you ever still have cravings? Are they a lot less, (if you do have them), than they were the first 6 months? I'm doing pretty well most of the time, but I find at times that I will still have a strong craving, and not necessarily when I'm around smokers either. It can be at night when i'm here all alone by myself, no stress or anything. Maybe it's just boredom. But I would like to hear from someone...anyone, for once saying that someday this all will pass!!! :confused:
DEDA
Hi Tobias--
Congratulations on your 2 year quit. Do you ever still have cravings? Are they a lot less, (if you do have them), than they were the first 6 months? I'm doing pretty well most of the time, but I find at times that I will still have a strong craving, and not necessarily when I'm around smokers either. It can be at night when i'm here all alone by myself, no stress or anything. Maybe it's just boredom. But I would like to hear from someone...anyone, for once saying that someday this all will pass!!! :confused:
DEDA
Deda
02-24-2004, 07:03 PM
Congratulations on your 5 months smoke-free!!!! :bouncing: Sorry, you lost that cash, but better to gamble with your money than your life... Also, with that $10,000 you won along with all the cig money you're saving up you may not be losing after all....;) I can't wait till I get to the five month mark (I'm almost at two months, although I recently cheated once, that's scary!) :eek:
Thank you Leanea!!! Don't worry, I'm sure you'll make it to the 5 month mark, and way beyond. :) Anyone who has a small relapse like you, me and Invincible, must be pretty determined to quit, since we bounced right back like we did. So hang in there, 5 months will be here for you before you know it!! But I know what you mean, as when I see people like Tobias (above) with 2 years quit under their belt, I think the same thing, "I can't wait till I have 2 years"! I need to slow down here and be grateful for the 5 months I do have and try to take it as they say, "One Day At A Time".
As far as the gambling and $$$....well I have put a bunch back but I think I'm still ahead as I've won a few times since the big win. Like you say tho, better to gamble with my $$ than my life...very good point there Leanea. How is your quit going these days? Getting easier with time?
DEDA
Thank you Leanea!!! Don't worry, I'm sure you'll make it to the 5 month mark, and way beyond. :) Anyone who has a small relapse like you, me and Invincible, must be pretty determined to quit, since we bounced right back like we did. So hang in there, 5 months will be here for you before you know it!! But I know what you mean, as when I see people like Tobias (above) with 2 years quit under their belt, I think the same thing, "I can't wait till I have 2 years"! I need to slow down here and be grateful for the 5 months I do have and try to take it as they say, "One Day At A Time".
As far as the gambling and $$$....well I have put a bunch back but I think I'm still ahead as I've won a few times since the big win. Like you say tho, better to gamble with my $$ than my life...very good point there Leanea. How is your quit going these days? Getting easier with time?
DEDA
Tobias
02-24-2004, 07:46 PM
Hi Tobias--
Congratulations on your 2 year quit. Do you ever still have cravings? Are they a lot less, (if you do have them), than they were the first 6 months? I'm doing pretty well most of the time, but I find at times that I will still have a strong craving, and not necessarily when I'm around smokers either. It can be at night when i'm here all alone by myself, no stress or anything. Maybe it's just boredom. But I would like to hear from someone...anyone, for once saying that someday this all will pass!!! :confused:
DEDA
Hi Deda:
I'd like to say I never think about smoking but it just isn't so. Sure I think about it, but I don't do anything about it and I guess that's the difference between smoker and non-smoker. Plus I have to have several substitutes for smoking. Because boredom and idleness were triggers for me, I cannot allow myself to be at odds, to be idle. I always carry a book to read, a crossword puzzle, a handheld game, a piece of candy or gum to suck on, something to occupy myself. Another trigger for me was to use a cigarette as a break from activity so I had to adopt another activity as a substitute for the cigarette. A beverage suffices sometimes, a cup of capuccino or espresso seems like a treat to me, or sometimes tv and a game of solitaire. Whatever works.
I don't want to tell you that it never gets better because it really does. I truly loved to smoke, I loved the ritual, even the smell of fresh smoke. I could resume the habit in a minute. But I don't think about smoking all the time like I did at first. I don't miss the panic when I was in a place where I couldn't smoke. I'm taking an airplane trip soon and I remember the times when I walked a mile through the terminal to get outside between flights so I could smoke. I had arthritis so bad I could hardly walk but I trekked through the terminal in pain nevertheless. How dumb is that?
We've done a number on our brains so they will cry "yippee skippee" when they get an iota of nicotine, and then they'll want more more more.
Congratulations on your 2 year quit. Do you ever still have cravings? Are they a lot less, (if you do have them), than they were the first 6 months? I'm doing pretty well most of the time, but I find at times that I will still have a strong craving, and not necessarily when I'm around smokers either. It can be at night when i'm here all alone by myself, no stress or anything. Maybe it's just boredom. But I would like to hear from someone...anyone, for once saying that someday this all will pass!!! :confused:
DEDA
Hi Deda:
I'd like to say I never think about smoking but it just isn't so. Sure I think about it, but I don't do anything about it and I guess that's the difference between smoker and non-smoker. Plus I have to have several substitutes for smoking. Because boredom and idleness were triggers for me, I cannot allow myself to be at odds, to be idle. I always carry a book to read, a crossword puzzle, a handheld game, a piece of candy or gum to suck on, something to occupy myself. Another trigger for me was to use a cigarette as a break from activity so I had to adopt another activity as a substitute for the cigarette. A beverage suffices sometimes, a cup of capuccino or espresso seems like a treat to me, or sometimes tv and a game of solitaire. Whatever works.
I don't want to tell you that it never gets better because it really does. I truly loved to smoke, I loved the ritual, even the smell of fresh smoke. I could resume the habit in a minute. But I don't think about smoking all the time like I did at first. I don't miss the panic when I was in a place where I couldn't smoke. I'm taking an airplane trip soon and I remember the times when I walked a mile through the terminal to get outside between flights so I could smoke. I had arthritis so bad I could hardly walk but I trekked through the terminal in pain nevertheless. How dumb is that?
We've done a number on our brains so they will cry "yippee skippee" when they get an iota of nicotine, and then they'll want more more more.
Deda
02-24-2004, 08:08 PM
Hi again Tobias...Thank you for your reply. Yours is a very good post for newbies coming to the board as well.
I pretty much have my little bags of tricks, substitutes if you will, just as you do. I guess I was just hoping to hear that maybe someday we'll all go back to "normal"...you know, the way we used to be pre-smoking?? (Never thinking about a smoke...yeah right!) Guess that would be asking too much tho. Yeah, I know you're right about that...really doing a number on our brains after all of those years of smoking. Just curious about something else...what's your weight gain been like after 2 years smoke free?
Thanx again for your thoughts on this...
DEDA :D
I pretty much have my little bags of tricks, substitutes if you will, just as you do. I guess I was just hoping to hear that maybe someday we'll all go back to "normal"...you know, the way we used to be pre-smoking?? (Never thinking about a smoke...yeah right!) Guess that would be asking too much tho. Yeah, I know you're right about that...really doing a number on our brains after all of those years of smoking. Just curious about something else...what's your weight gain been like after 2 years smoke free?
Thanx again for your thoughts on this...
DEDA :D