I think New Years resolutions are a waste of time, at least for me. If I want to do something I don’t need the first of January to get me to do it. 
More than once I have had to take Mark to the hospital because of his lungs. He’s had pneumonia, asthma attacks, and worst of all a collapsed lung. Taking him to the emergency room is one of my least favorite things in the world. First we sit in the waiting room for ages, then they take him into the actual ER where all sorts probing and testing go on while I wait. Then they let me go in and sit with him while we wait for the star of the show, the doctor. After the last time I took him to the hospital because he couldn’t breath, I informed Mark that if he didn’t quit smoking, next time I’ll just dial 911 and let them take him. So I was slightly encouraged a few weeks ago when Mark told me, on January first he was going to quit smoking.
I know how hard it is to quit, I quit in 1984 and to this day I still sometimes get the urge to light up. I see a pack of Marlboro Lights sitting out and like Pavlov’s dog I want one. Smoking is an acquired taste, thank goodness, and on the rare occasion I do give in and light one up, the initial puff is so disgusting that I put it out. How in the hell did I start in the first place.
So how is Mark doing with his New Years resolution? So far dismally, I’ve put 911 on speed-dial. I find cigarette packs hidden everywhere. The ashtray out on the deck is full to the brim with butts, and whenever I get close to him all I smell is cigarette smoke. I’ve tried to help by throwing his cigarettes away, but that only causes more irritation when I have to listen to the whining, and besides, he runs up to the Seven-Eleven and buys more.
My next plan of attack is to hide Mark‘s cigarettes in Carlotta‘s litter box, then when they pick up the flavor of that place, return them to his hiding place. Of course the Marlboro Man was always sitting out in the middle of all those stinky cattle, so I don’t even know if a smoker would notice the difference.
My next plan of attack is to hide Mark‘s cigarettes in Carlotta‘s litter box, then when they pick up the flavor of that place, return them to his hiding place. Of course the Marlboro Man was always sitting out in the middle of all those stinky cattle, so I don’t even know if a smoker would notice the difference.
I wish Mark luck with quitting. I never smoked so I don't understand the difficulty of quitting. As you said, smoking is an acquired taste. I don't know how anyone starts. As far as any suggestions for you. I have none. I came from a family of smokers and none of my efforts to help them quit ever worked. Mark has to want it bad enough. I don't think he does.
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling Mark will quit when it is too late. Has he tried the patch, hypnosis, or other self help programs? As for the original TV/Magazine Marlboro man, I believe he died of lung cancer from smoking.
ReplyDeleteI hope Mark can quit smoking. My Aunt just passed away from throat cancer. She was as adament as Mark is about smoking. Cigarettes need to be made illegal. They are dangerously addictive.
Take the ambulance. You get faster service, plus you areserved treats.
ReplyDeleteThe more someone talks to Mark about not smoking, the harder it will be for him. It sounds like he knows it's the RIGHT thing to do, but doesn't really want to do it. I had to be 4 months pregnant before I was finally able to stop. You know it's wrong but it's habitual. I couldn't have coffee without it, I couldn't even drive. Now, I think it's gross. I craved one once while I was at a concert drinking beer. So, I asked for one, lit it and then put it out. It was so gross. YEAH!!
ReplyDeleteok, so now i figured out that you have to approve my posts before they show up. i'm self diagnosed A.D.D. so i didn't read that notice at the top of the page after i tried to publish my comment. so i did it again. now you'll have two from me. you really only need to approve one though. ;)
ReplyDeleteYes Madonna, I have to moderate these. Some of my friends are real perverts and I have to keep it clean for mom, (your grandma).
ReplyDeleteAlan doesn't have perverts as friends, only friends with perverted senses of HUMOR.
ReplyDeleteIts called having a different point of view than the normal world.
Alan dosen't have friends, just people who owe him money.
ReplyDeleteHey Alan, can I borrow $3,000. I'll be your friend. hehe
ReplyDeleteIf I had $3000 to flush down the toilet, I'd take a trip to Mexico.
ReplyDeleteI said "borrow" not "give". I'll pay you back, I promise. Remember, I'll be your friend. I'll even buy you to a trip to Mexico. You could pay me back later after I pay you back. hehe
ReplyDeleteMadonna, pregnant, beer drinking, A.D.D.? AHHHHH I think you were just 12 when I last saw you in the late 1980's. I am glad you don't smoke.
ReplyDeleteHi Garet (Uncle Alan too)
ReplyDeleteI guess that did sound crazy.
I'm not pregnant.
I wasn't drinking while I was.
We got the smoking clarified.
A.D.D. not really, just an excuse
I'm 28.
:)