Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Monday PhotoShoot - Something Personally Obsolete

John Scalzi's Monday Photoshoot asks we find something we ONCE used but hardly do at all now.  Something obsolete.  This was easy for me, I'm through with smoking dogs!! 

Okay, it's cigarettes I once used them, haven't in years.  It was odd how this happened as it wasn't a bit planned, even considered.  One day in 2002-3, while still having a small bit of trouble ambulating, I ran out of smokes and just couldn't muscle up the nerve (bad pun) to hop on that walker.  (Neuropathy sux)  So I let it go.  Next day I wanted my "coffee and..." but still couldn't get my legs to cooperate.  Since I'm a chicken when asking for help, I just went without for another day.  Which passed into a week then a month then a half year.  Before long I realized it was either my age (53 at the time with the Big M) or laziness working to my benefit.  So I didn't argue with what seemed to be fated.

When offered a smoke, I always decline with no explanation.  If asked, I simply say, "I can't, I'm not a smoker.  So how could I smoke?  Since I don't, I can't.  See?"  No preachy pontification and an answer which causes a knitted brow to appear.  (What did she just say...?)  

Anyway ~ works for me.   

Where I found it:  John Scalzi's Monday Photo Shoot: Personally Obsolete     

  

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well done in kicking the habit, Cathy

Anonymous said...

I used to 'do' John's Monday Photoshoots and then I went private.  Oh well.  Interesting you used cigs for your obsolete -- but a good choice too.  I am now past the 15 month mark, woo hoo for me!   (and I'm glad you're past the 4 years or so mark)

Anonymous said...

Cathy 2 Kathy:  Congrats!  No reason to stop stopping now!  

Anonymous said...

That's an excellent quitting story!

(Would NEVER happen for me!)

xoxo,

Anonymous said...

Everyone should have your brilliance and pluck!  Thank you... you rock, Cathy.

be well,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

I was a heavy smoker until I persuaded myself that I no longer needed it in my life. I used to stop it every night and start again the following morning.

Planned obsolecence? No just too frail to get up and get them and that became a mainstay and a glorious obsession.

My nose can smell it at over 100metres and it still gets under my skin on occasions. The only thing I smoke now is freshly caught fish!

Anonymous said...

Anybody who was a smoker and has quit deserves a pat on the back.  I understand nicotine is more addictive than heroin. It makes me sad when I see teenagers smoking, if they only knew what they are doing to their bodies.    I thank God I never started....which means I've never had to quit.   Good Job !!!!
Linda in Washington state

Anonymous said...

That has to be one of the most amazing "stop smoking" stories I have heard!  Congratulations!  I'm through with smoking dogs too!

Anonymous said...

Wow...that is a great story!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

That is the most remarkable quit smoking story I have heard.  I think my son quit one hundred times before he finally seems to have whipped the habit, but you never know.  But I am glad you did, because you will undoubtedly benefit.  Gerry http://journals.aol.com/gehi6/daughters-of-the-shadow-men/  

Anonymous said...

    With those cigarettes you put aside burn holes and smoke smelly clothing and a bunch of other things you didn't think about at the time.
    I quit in 1990. I caught pnuemonia. All I knew is that my sister, Kathy, gets it every year, and she continues to smoke. I figured screw it. I didn't want to spend every spring sick like her.
    Thirty seconds after I quit, I got pregnant with Becky. After that I told everyone who asked that I would never start again, for fear of quitting again, and getting pregnant again. Of course at my age now, 52, I can't use that explanation anymore.
    Anyway, good thing to make obsolete in your life. Congrats.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

Anonymous said...

I agree that this is one of the best accounts of quitting cigarettes that I've ever read. I'm further impressed that you were also able to give up smoking dogs. :-)
Sheria

Anonymous said...

I suppose God did work all things to your good in that case.  ;o)  -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

I wish I could give them up that easily!! - Missy

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you were able to quit. I bet you feel better now after all of this time. LOL on the photo.
Pam