Starting Chantix Today... Wish Me Luck!!!

Right now's probably not the best time to try to quit smoking, I'm sure most would admit that, with all the stress I've been under lately! lol But... this time, for once, I really think I'm ready! I'm terrified, yes, but I'm sooooo ready!

I've smoked since I was about 14. I quit, as soon as I found out I was pregnant with my first son. Quit for several years, while I had him and two other babies... until my (now 14 year old) son was kidnapped! He was only gone an hour and 45 minutes, but as any mother can imagine.... it seemed like several lifetimes! I wish I never would have picked up that cigarette that night.... but I did, and I just never quit.

My kids have always tried to get me to quit, but it's always been, "I'm too stressed out... I'd probably have a heart attack if I quit..." , all those things that we smokers convince ourselves of. Well, lately, my 9 year old has been through entirely too much stress. And he worries constantly about his Mama. He only recently met his father, so all his life, I've been "all he had", and it's pretty scary to a kid, worrying that something might happen to your "only" parent. He's seen me in the hospital with tubes in me, getting surgeries, etc. Way too much. Anyway, his panic has increased lately, with some of the stress we've been through. And my smoking makes it that much worse. I'll never be a "perfect" mother, but if I can do this one thing to help all my kids... I definitely want to try.

Anyway, I am pretty confident this time. I took Chantix once before, but with many things going on, never refilled it. This time, I already have three months worth prescribed... I'm GOING to keep taking it! When I took it for the short time before, it worked wonders. Within a few days, I cut down from about two packs a day, to just a few cigarettes a day. My ex could light up a smoke right beside me, and I wouldn't want one... which is major for me. Soooo... I know I can do it! Please keep me in your thoughts through this... this is a big step for me, but it's also a huge positive change for my babies!

On a lighter note... I know people tend to gain weight when they quit smoking... well, I gain weight because I have hypothyroidism! lol I got my dosage adjusted yesterday on that too... 'cause I've been sleeping ALL the time, which happens when my thyroid isn't working. Soooo, maybe I'll get lucky, and the Chantix will help me quit smoking, and getting my thyroid working will make me lose weight too... hey, a girl can dream, can't she?!!! lol

But, hopefully, within a few days, with the thyroid meds getting in my system, I'll have more energy and be able to get back to work as usual... God, I hope so, I need the money! lol

Anyway, just an update on what's going on with me!!!!

Happy Earning everyone, and thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Another birthday has arrived

Well, here in Oklahoma, it's officially my thirty-somethingth :) birthday. Another year gone. It's been a rough one... just lost my Grandfather last week, ended a three year relationship a few months ago, had a lot of rough things happen. But, I guess, it's time to, "officially" start the year over... forget waiting for Jan. 1! I'm declaring the new year NOW!!! lol

Even with the rough year, I do have a lot to be grateful for. I look over at my nine year old, sleeping peacefully, knowing we've got a roof over our heads, and he doesn't have to be worried about my ex being "mean to Mama". My fourteen year old is getting ready for school tomorrow (still, at this late hour, but at least he's great about getting up in the mornings! lol). My daughter and I have grown closer than ever in the past few months. My oldest son... while he's struggling with the peer pressure and every day pressures of being an "almost adult", and at times, driving me completely nuts, he's alive and well, and still a good kid. He loves his Mama.

My father, whom I have always idolized, and I had a rough patch a few months ago, but I thank God for the recent communication I have had with him... as, yes, I can be a very stubborn person at times, but I couldn't imagine life without my "Daddy". My Aunt and I have become closer than we have ever been. I never really got to know her until my few months out in California recently.

My Mom was trying to take time off to come see me for my birthday. Doesn't look like it's going to happen, but just the fact that she was genuinely trying, means the world to me.

Things have been really bleak lately, but then, I do have to really open my eyes to the blessings that I do have in my life, and just thank God. Sometimes, things really do seem so overwhelming, and overbearing, but when I really open my eyes, I do see that, despite all the hardships, I DO have a purpose, and I do have four little ones (not so little anymore) that need and love their Mama, no matter how many mistakes I have made in my life... how could anyone not be grateful for that?!

So... here's to another year... hopefully one that's better, easier, and less painful. Here's to doing my part, to try to have a positive outlook and do whatever I can to make that happen. Here's to being thankful that I am still here, getting to enjoy those special joys that are mine alone.

Happy Birthday to me...

Busy Day!!!

Hey all! Thanks for stopping by! I have had such a busy day today!!! I have a lot I want to share, but it'll be sporatic, as I'm trying to catch up on some of my own surveys, etc. tonight!!! Had all kinds of things to do today, and have a dentist appointment and doctor's appointment tomorrow, but hopefully, by tomorrow evening, or definitely Thursday, I can do some more quality work here! I really appreciate all of you, and just want you to know it!

Oh, one awesome piece of news... the contest I listed last night, that was on the blog
Engineer a Debt Free Life... I won!!!! I can't believe it! :) I just discovered their awesome blog yesterday, and am loving it! They've been keeping me busy today, too, with all their great freebies, etc.! They are running lots of great contests, in honor of their anniversary, and I'm proof positive that real people win! lol Here's one they're running now... you can win $50 Paypal! Easy entry, and you can get up to five entries, very easily. They use randomizer software to select the winner, which they will be ending on May 26, so still plenty of time to get your entries in!!!

Anyway, hope you all are staying busy making $$, and having some fun in there too!!!

Happy Earning!

A

A Beautiful, and Great Reminder to Count Our Blessings!

FW: Sleep ez http://www.forwardon.com/view.php?e=Id11fca4a7facfc3fd

I'm Back!!!

So sorry if any of y'all thought I had already abandoned this blog! I have had quite the adventure, the last few weeks! Made a cross-country trip, and finally arrived in California, where I'm with my Dad... yea!!! Quite different from what I'm used to, in Oklahoma, but looks like there are so many awesome opportunities out here, even with their failing economy! lol And I'm so glad to be able to spend some time catching up with my Dad!

Anyway, finally got my computer up and going again, so there will be much more to come soon!!!

Alicia

A Mom's Letter to Santa

Found this on Gather, and just HAD to share it! Here's the link to the original posting:



Gather



Dear Santa,



I've been a good mom all year.

I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand,

Visited their doctor's office more than my own doctor,

And sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money

To plant a shade tree on the school playground.



I was hoping you could spread my list out over

Several Christmas's since I had to write this letter

With my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt

In the laundry room between cycles, and who knows

When I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years.



Here are my Christmas wishes:



I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color except

Purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or

Flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my

Screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.



I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the

Seventh month of my last pregnancy.



If you're hauling big ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint

Resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music;

A television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing

Talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment

Behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.



On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says,

"Yes Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with

Two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip

All the way up without the use of power tools.



I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting

"Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off

Your brother" because my voice seems to be just out of my

Children's' hearing range and can only be heard by the dogs....



If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for

Enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same

Morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room

Temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.



If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to

Brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to

Declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.



It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around

The house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses

Of an organized crime family.



Well Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my

Feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.



Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door

And come on in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to the cookies on the table but don't eat too many

Or leave crumbs on the carpet.



Yours Always, MOM!!



P.S. One more thing . . . You can cancel all my requests if you can

Keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.