Six Months Smoke Free

Wow, I can not believe that in less than twenty four hours I will be half a year smoke free.  I never thought that I would make it past the first week, let alone the first day.  Now I hardly ever even think about smoking, and when I do think about it, it is only a passing craving and nothing serious.  I really believe that I will never pick up another cigarette as long as I live now, and that feels fantastic!  I can say honestly I am a non smoker.  So here are some things that I enjoy most about being a non smoker.
1.  I can go into a restaurant or a movie and not worry about how long I will have to go without a cigarette.  I can just enjoy my time with whomever I am with and be fully present in the current situation.  Cravings do not ruin the fun that I am trying to have, or determine where I will go.

2.  I smell better.  I do not smell like a ashtray.

3.  I can smell other things better.  Can also be a curse sometimes though because I can smell smokers and they smell bad.  No offense if you smoke but I never realized how bad I smelled until I quit smoking.  That alone is enough to make me never want to pick up another cigarette.

4.  I do not get winded when I exercise or clean like I used to.  My stamina is better.

5.  I have my singing voice back.  I can hit high notes again.  And when I wake up in the morning I do not sound like a man for the first couple of hours.

6.  When I get sick I do not cough my brains out.  I still have a stuffy nose and cough occasionally.  But I don't have the hacking cough that I used to have.

7.  My car, my clothes, and my house don't smell like an ashtray.  And all the Christmas gifts that I gave away this year did not reek of cigarettes.

These are the things that I love about being a non-smoker.

Arts and Crafts at Jumping Java

So I finally convinced my best friend that he needed to start painting again, and that we both needed to spend less time on the Internet and more time doing creative things.  So every night when we go to Jumping Java now, instead of bringing our laptops Joe brings his painting supplies and I bring my crochet supplies.  We work on our projects and visit with each other.  I have finished my first project which is this beautiful circles and waves scarf.

This scarf is actually two pieces sewn together.  It is another project that I got from Interweave Crochet magazine.  It was actually very fast to make, and a lot easier than it looks.

And Joe finished his first painting this week.  Here is the first painting that he has done in a while.

I just love it when he does winter scenes.  He does very good with winter scenes.  The cabin in this picture is the perfect size compared to the trees and the river.  Good job, Joe!  Now I am just trying to convince him that he needs to start his own painting blog.  I hope he does.  When I told him that he could blog about his painting technique he looked at me like I was crazy, so I don't know if I will succeed in this.

Book Review; "What Good Is God?" by Philip Yancey

For those of you who want a good book to read I highly suggest this book.  It answers some tough questions about Christianity.  Philip Yancey goes to where there is the most pain in the world and finds God in those places.  Places like Virginia Tech, 9-11, Communist China, the Middle East, South Africa before it was integrated and after, India, Columbine, and into the depths of alcoholism and addiction and asks the question what difference does God make?  It is eye opening and thought provoking.  I definitely recommend this book.
Also, for all of my recovering friends there is a chapter in here about why Philip Yancey wants to be an alcoholic.  I thought that this was a really cool chapter.  Another reason to read this book!

Drinking Coffee for a Good Cause

Tommorrow night at Jumping Java which is my favorite coffee house there's going to be a fundraiser for Transformation Life Center which is a Christian center that helps men with addictions.  There's going to be live music, and a part of the proceeds for all of the drinks sold will go to the center.  This would be a great opportunity to get out and enjoy time with friends and family and support a cause at the same time.  As you all know I am a recovering alcoholic this is a cause that I think is very worthy.  Please come out and get a coffee or smoothie.  You can check out Jumping Java on facebook.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Haven-MI/Jumpin-Java/153975304616848?ref=search&v=wall
I will be there tommorrow night and I hope to see you here too!