Posts made by Jodie

You guys…you are just the greatest! Your support means so much to me! I had a rough morning (don't worry..I didn't smoke). Then, I went to see my mom in the rehab center. My stepsister was already there. Boy, did she stink!;) She must have just had a cigarette. Did I smell like that? No one ever told me I did (maybe they were just being polite?):rolleyes: Who knows...Anyway, I am finding it the hardest when I am driving in my car. Sounds funny considering that cars don't even come with cigarette lighters and ashtrays. I bought myself a new CD (Dreamgirls..the movie) and blast the music to drown out my desire for the bad stuff (or as my friend lovingly calls them, cancer sticks). So generally I don't think about it that much, but, when I do, I remind myself that I quit and I am not going back!
I think I saved about $ 40.00 so far.
Thanks again...
Jodie:)

I got Lillie a pink party hat that states "Happy Birthday". It is put on like a headband. I will take pics on her birthday which is on 1/18.
Meanwhile, I made it to 8 days smoke free! Yay for me! Thank you for all your support! It has meant so much to me.
Jodie:)

Hoping C3PO gets better soon!
Jodie:)

Thank you, thank you all! Good news! My mom does not need surgery. She has a fractured knee but not a torn tendon like they thought. Thank you to the doctors in West Palm Beach, Fla. Hopefully, she will be coming back home to Staten Island tomorrow and will start rehab. As for me, another day I can pat myself on the back. Totally forgot about cigarettes because my mind was so preoccupied. Oh, also, today at work…I became one of those "reformed smokers" and gave the "lecture" to my co-workers as they were going outside on their break. Ha, ha:D
Thank you again for letting me vent! You guys are the greatest!
Jodie:)

PS I went out tonight and bought Lillie her party hat. She will be 2 on 1/18.

OK-so far, I have been very good. I am going on a week of being smoke-free.
Stress…I am stressed. My mom broke her hip in Oct. Long story short...she went thru rehab and was doing well. We convinced her to fly to Fla (instead of driving) as she and my stepfather are snowbirds. My stepfather was also recently diagnosed with alzheimers. Here's the stressful part...2 weeks in Fla and we find out she was hit by a car. She is OK, considering it could have been really bad. Fractured knee and a problem with a tendon above the knee. Probably will need surgery. My sister spent over 7 hours arranging her and my stepfather to fly to NY today and bring her to Manhattan for surgery. After all that time, her blood pressure went up and she cannot fly. My sister was frustrated...she took it out on me...I feel helpless and stressed!:eek:
Oh well, feel better now that I vented. I know everything will work out..I need to do my deep breathing and reach for a straw to chew.
Thanks for listening!
Jodie:)

I still have 5 more hours before 2008 arrives. I would like to wish everyone a very Healthy and Happy New Year and to thank everyone for all the support, advise and friendship you have provided for me and my Lillie!
Jodie:)

Congrats Basenji Boy to you and your family on your accomplishment. I can't wait until I can say that I have been smoke-free for 3 months!

I just figured it out…I smoked 1/2 pack of cigarettes a day. At $ 8.00 a pack...I will be $ 1700.00 richer in a year. I can buy lots of goodies for myself!:D

Today was alot easier than I thought it would be. Who knows about tomorrow? Thankfully, I have alot of bags of the 100 calorie Nabisco chocolate chip cookies. I am taking it one day at a time. That's the best I can do!

Thanks to everyone!

Jodie:)

Happy Birthday! A brindle reminds me of a delicious chocolate chip cookie!
Beautiful dog. Enjoy your birthday!
Jodie:)

Thank you again for all your support. Jennifer-I am so sorry for your sister's friends family. The thing is I know how bad smoking is. My father died of a heart attack at the age of 50. It's such an addictive habit and for so many years I have used my stressful life as an excuse for smoking. Now that I am getting older (and not that far from my father's age when he passed away)…I think all these horror stories are starting to sink in. As you know, my son has autism and I need to be here for him. I need to make sure his life is in order. I need to do alot of things. Sorry, I know I should get off my soap box. I am very proud of myself. I hate to fail and I believe that is why it took me so long to quit. I am determined (in my father and friend's memory and especially for my son) to stick this out. I appreciate all your support and advise. Thanks again.
Jodie:)

Thanks for all your support. It has been difficult. Almost at the 48 hour point. Someone told me a disgusting thing to do if I have the urge for a cigarette. It was told to a senior adult by her doctor. Here goes…hold your stomachs...mix cigarette butts with water. Everytime you reach for a cigarette, take a sip of that disgusting water. Just the thought of that discourages me from smoking. I hate to admit it...I miss it. I know I am doing a smart thing for me and my family. Hopefully, these cravings and desires will get less and less. Now, I will take Lillie for a long walk!
Thanks again,
Jodie:)

Happy 12th Birthday Senji! Wishing you many, many more healthy birthdays to come!
Jodie & Lillie:)

I didn't realize how much this was affecting me. I can't even count! When I first posted it was 10:30 AM and I stated that I had not had a cigarette in 32 hours. It actually was longer…41 1/2 hours. Four and 1/2 hours more to go and I will have made it to the 48 hour mark! Yeah for me! There is literally nothing left of this straw I have been chewing and I have no laundry left!
Jodie:)

Pat-

Thank you, thank you for your support. I have been thinking "one hour at a time". Of course, as you said, it is difficult when you are doing things associated with smoking. I am trying to breathe alot (ha, ha) and trying my best to keep myself very busy. My house is becoming very clean! I can literally feel myself going thru withdrawal…does that make sense? I have been chewing on a straw, chewing lots of gum. I just hope as each day goes on... it gets easier. And yes, it would be great to do this in Maureen's memory! That should be incentive enough!
Jodie:)

I know this subject is taboo..however, I need support! I have not had a cigarette in 32 hours. I am so sorry I even started this horrible, disgusting habit. I have stopped several times…always going back for different reasons that don't make any sense. Anyway, I received an e-mail from my old friend on Friday. She told me that a mutual friend (my age) passed away from a stroke (directly related to her smoking). Scared me quite a bit. Anyway, I haven't had a cigarette since reading that e-mail. Any past smokers out there who can offer me some advise how to get thru this. I am not using the patch...cold turkey.
Thanks alot.
Jodie:)

I called the contact person regarding the tri basenji. She seemed very nice. They will not adopt this dog to anyone out of state. So, even if I could take in this dog…the answer would be no. They are very strict with adoptions as far as references go...they will not give this dog to anyone. He is doing much better...his scars are healing. She said he was a stray and could only guess where his injuries came from. Don't really want to say as I can't imagine someone purposely hurting him. She told me someone from BRAT contacted her but she does not want to give the dog to anyone without checking them out first. I'm not sure if he is being fostered or in a shelter but she assured me he is being taken care of. Hopefully, someone who is kind to dogs from New Jersey will adopt him soon.
Jodie:)

I'm always reading how some people on this website are associated with BRAT. I was looking at the petfinder website and saw an adorable tri-colored basenji in New Monmouth, NJ (Mostly Shepherds). It stated that he had been abused and his scars are healing. I wish I could take him! I attached a pic of Benji! Can anyone out there help him??
Jodie:)

Happy 1st Birthday, Daisy - from one tri b to another!

I will be 2 years old in 3 weeks!

Jodie & Lillie:)

Beautiful pics! Sorry about your loss. I love Helldee's curves..they look great on her!
Jodie

When Lillie had stitches in her paw, I needed to keep the paw dry. I tried everything. What worked and fit the best were natural rubber, waterproof dog boots by Pawz. 12 disposable boots…slips on, stays on. I believe they were around $17.00. Their website is www.PAWZDOGBOOTS.com. Of course, as soon as we came in from our walk, Lillie was trying to get them off.
Another waterproof dog boots we tried were waterproof nylon boots with non-skid soles and Velcro straps for a snug fit. $9.99 They did not fit as snug as the pawz. There is no website on the package. The company is Signature Fashion Pet Collection…#130 Waterproof Woof Boots.
Good luck!
Jodie:)

I know this has been discussed before…I really need help deciding on the best collar and/or harness for Lillie. I have tried many collars and harnesses because every once in a while (when she spots a cat or squirrel) she wiggles herself out of her harness. Unfortunately, she has gotten loose a couple of times which we all know is extremely scary. I know the martingale collar has been discussed before. There are no pet stores in my borough that sells martingale collars so it is difficult for me to choose what is the best one. Does anyone has any suggestions for me? I need a collar and/or harness that Lillie cannot wiggle out of. I appreciate any help.
Thanks.
Jodie:)