Page one of Ricko

[Ricko]

So I am once again 2 weeks off with the family. It really is kind of good. My daughters are fun to take out and explore Houston with and I like to say random things to see if people are listen, like "which Christmas song Makes you want to pull out your machine gun and shoot up the mall? " Or turn to a stranger and ask if he knows which one of the people in that group over there has the bomb? Then say oops, your not my contact.

Walking around in the mall is like being in a spaceship for a long time. Imagine never getting out. That was it. I am liking the Earth. So Happy Christmas to you for reading this bit of my times of quit.

I think it is very important to know that not all of your problems are going to go away. Some will get magnified. Some change into others. It is a good choice to stick with. I do not like being controlled by it.

[Ricko]

DCHOGS is the person I referenced in the first line. It is crazy how a perfect stranger can quickly be a new friend.

I am so excited I have a new best friend in Quit. For what ever reason I kind of took a 50 or so day vacation from KTC, Syndrome texted me about your post and then Butch asked me to post for him and yea I am back in. So first start with what you know about what your up against. Here is your state's grade: http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org/st ... /virginia/

Texas is not any better.

I am a high school counselor and I was very fortunate that I could go into my office when I quit and shut the door. I chewed for 23 years and I was a complete mess. I squirreled away cans all over the place in my desk, in my file cabinets, behind bookshelves in the Library, I kept finding them.

about two weeks in I was have having a really bad day and our quarterback had come in to talk to me about college, but I basically unloaded all my grief of dipping to him. Luckily we had a great relationship and he knew that dipping sucked and could see people struggle with it so he was a great support for me and others became great support as well. I really wanted to fix every body and not let anyone dip. that part did not work out so well.

So I made it through my first year dip free and so at the beginning of last school year, I was determined to make a difference in hopefully deterring people from starting tobacco, chewing or smoking.

At first I really had no support from anyone, it was going to be another distraction from testing and curriculum stuff. (They cover it in health class and that is enough.) I signed up for a kick butts day at their website: http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/what_we_ ... butts_day/ , This has been a really helpful website for me and others. It sparked lots of interest and because the State of Texas mandated that schools start public messages against bullying, tobacco, and alcohol, I got some support because nobody else really had to do anything.
I posted this in DCHOGS into place and I wanted to make sure I kept a copy for review. This place is awesome and works.
My most favorite of all clubs I have come across is the REBEL clubs of New Jersey. http://www.monroetwp.k12.nj.us/HighSchool/Clubs/REBEL/

The name is catchy, the wording is great, and the target audience are a bunch of Rebels that need a voice.

I have tried several times to form an accountability program for students in need in a group setting, but without much success, but I have found that as I have put myself out there as a person people can talk to about withdrawals and facts of tobacco I have been sought out by students.

The catchy posters that are available from state programs are very helpful. I have a couple of extra ones I do not mind sending you. my email at work is richard.armstrong@cfisd.net send me your mailing address at school and I will ship them to you.

When you let everyone around you know what your doing, then your accountability circle gets really big.

I quit because I was sick of being a slave to nic. My own kids (three daughters are my biggest cheerleaders).

[Kdip]

Nice work Ricko!!! you need to come work at my daughters's school

[Smokeyg]

So I found myself on the thirteenth page of introductions.  It is really weird going back and seeing what a mess I was.  My whole intent is to add to my saga this thought:

There is not a reward you can give yourself other than the quit.  That is itself the biggest reward in life.  It leads to freedom and life without the chains of nic sneakin chillin in a place so that no one knows your there. My biggest struggle from time to time is the little thought in my head that says, "hey you showed everyone you have quit, time for a reward."  I have my reward and that is freedom.  Do not get fooled and do not think it does not lurk around and is ready to pounce when you least expect it. 

I am at 835 days quit today.  I do not post everyday like I should.  There are two buddies that post more than I in my group, Syndrome and Justquit.  LTCD and ButchTN and a few others come in from time to time.  When I was looking for my into I ran into many names I remembered that did not get all that far, some have come back again, disappeared and come back again.  I plan to stay here and keep posting from time to time. 

I am starting up a tobacco free awareness group at my school I work at that is going to go by the name of REBEL.  I picked that up from another school in south carolina and they have several across the nation cause 1. it is a cool name, 2. all the letters mean something, I just cant remember what it is again, 3. and that is what we are going to do.  Stir up the pot and make people feel uncomfortable about tobacco and how we have turned a blind eye to what it is doing to our friends.

Anyway, keep quit and never give up.

Keep me informed on this. I've never been open with my nicotine addiction to students. I know open discussion on my part could be eye-opening for students, I always worry that it could be detrimental for others. Keep it real counselor.

So the end of the school year for me this this week. If you do not know I am a High School counselor. Today was the last day of school for the kids, tomorrow the teachers, and Sunday is the graduation. This year has been significant in my life in so many ways. this is what learned this past year.

1. I am addicted to Nicotene. I realize that I will never be SAFE from the love of wanting nic. This is significant to realize because my goal was to get rid of the thoughts and not think about it. For me that is dangerous, cause as soon as start not worrying about signing in and expressing myself here, I then begin to think I do not have a problem and that there is no big deal with dipping.

2. Sharing and spreading the word of the evils of tobacco is challenging. I have moved my quit to a whole new level. I have actively spread the word of the evils of tobacco and sucky slick manuevers of big ass Tobacco. My conclusion at the moment is that it is most helpful in maintaining places where people randomly run into sick pictures and catchy slogans. A huge step in my quit was the ground work laid out by the montana campaign for no spit tobacco on college campuses. I kept seeing different poster in unique places and it really started to sink in. Searching for more support is a key part of the quit process. We have all done some sort of search and that helps us be more respectful of quit and each others struggles. this is definately not given to us and then we say "Ok thanks for the quit, that was easy". this is hard as I have ever done and am actively doing. I have to remind myself that once upon a time I was not ready. I pray that everyone I talk to gets to the readiness spot, but I do have to be respectful and not forget that I was a 23 year slow learner before I quit. it is definately rewarding to help support any age quitter.

Smokey Q asked me how my sharing has worked with my school. I have done esentually done some intense, passionate coming out story about how crazy in love I am about tobacco. I have found it positive and my Principal even stated in my year in meeting that she was happy I got envolved in the promotion of a tobacco free environment. When I went to the convention in Austin in April she was reluctant to give me the time off beacuse of the testing we were doing at the time. I am so thankful I was able to go.

Now I am tired and ready for bed, Please keep it quit and make sure that you do whatever it takes wo that you break the cycle of taking a short break from nic to a total quit.

:wub:

[Ricko]

So I found myself on the thirteenth page of introductions.  It is really weird going back and seeing what a mess I was.  My whole intent is to add to my saga this thought:

There is not a reward you can give yourself other than the quit.  That is itself the biggest reward in life.  It leads to freedom and life without the chains of nic sneakin chillin in a place so that no one knows your there. My biggest struggle from time to time is the little thought in my head that says, "hey you showed everyone you have quit, time for a reward."  I have my reward and that is freedom.  Do not get fooled and do not think it does not lurk around and is ready to pounce when you least expect it. 

I am at 835 days quit today.  I do not post everyday like I should.  There are two buddies that post more than I in my group, Syndrome and Justquit.  LTCD and ButchTN and a few others come in from time to time.  When I was looking for my into I ran into many names I remembered that did not get all that far, some have come back again, disappeared and come back again.  I plan to stay here and keep posting from time to time. 

I am starting up a tobacco free awareness group at my school I work at that is going to go by the name of REBEL.  I picked that up from another school in south carolina and they have several across the nation cause 1. it is a cool name, 2. all the letters mean something, I just cant remember what it is again, 3. and that is what we are going to do.  Stir up the pot and make people feel uncomfortable about tobacco and how we have turned a blind eye to what it is doing to our friends.

Anyway, keep quit and never give up.

Keep me informed on this. I've never been open with my nicotine addiction to students. I know open discussion on my part could be eye-opening for students, I always worry that it could be detrimental for others. Keep it real counselor.

So the end of the school year for me this this week. If you do not know I am a High School counselor. Today was the last day of school for the kids, tomorrow the teachers, and Sunday is the graduation. This year has been significant in my life in so many ways. this is what learned this past year.

1. I am addicted to Nicotene. I realize that I will never be SAFE from the love of wanting nic. This is significant to realize because my goal was to get rid of the thoughts and not think about it. For me that is dangerous, cause as soon as start not worrying about signing in and expressing myself here, I then begin to think I do not have a problem and that there is no big deal with dipping.

2. Sharing and spreading the word of the evils of tobacco is challenging. I have moved my quit to a whole new level. I have actively spread the word of the evils of tobacco and sucky slick manuevers of big ass Tobacco. My conclusion at the moment is that it is most helpful in maintaining places where people randomly run into sick pictures and catchy slogans. A huge step in my quit was the ground work laid out by the montana campaign for no spit tobacco on college campuses. I kept seeing different poster in unique places and it really started to sink in. Searching for more support is a key part of the quit process. We have all done some sort of search and that helps us be more respectful of quit and each others struggles. this is definately not given to us and then we say "Ok thanks for the quit, that was easy". this is hard as I have ever done and am actively doing. I have to remind myself that once upon a time I was not ready. I pray that everyone I talk to gets to the readiness spot, but I do have to be respectful and not forget that I was a 23 year slow learner before I quit. it is definately rewarding to help support any age quitter.

Smokey Q asked me how my sharing has worked with my school. I have done esentually done some intense, passionate coming out story about how crazy in love I am about tobacco. I have found it positive and my Principal even stated in my year in meeting that she was happy I got envolved in the promotion of a tobacco free environment. When I went to the convention in Austin in April she was reluctant to give me the time off beacuse of the testing we were doing at the time. I am so thankful I was able to go.

Now I am tired and ready for bed, Please keep it quit and make sure that you do whatever it takes wo that you break the cycle of taking a short break from nic to a total quit.

[Smokeyg]

So I found myself on the thirteenth page of introductions. It is really weird going back and seeing what a mess I was. My whole intent is to add to my saga this thought:

There is not a reward you can give yourself other than the quit. That is itself the biggest reward in life. It leads to freedom and life without the chains of nic sneakin chillin in a place so that no one knows your there. My biggest struggle from time to time is the little thought in my head that says, "hey you showed everyone you have quit, time for a reward." I have my reward and that is freedom. Do not get fooled and do not think it does not lurk around and is ready to pounce when you least expect it.

I am at 835 days quit today. I do not post everyday like I should. There are two buddies that post more than I in my group, Syndrome and Justquit. LTCD and ButchTN and a few others come in from time to time. When I was looking for my into I ran into many names I remembered that did not get all that far, some have come back again, disappeared and come back again. I plan to stay here and keep posting from time to time.

I am starting up a tobacco free awareness group at my school I work at that is going to go by the name of REBEL. I picked that up from another school in south carolina and they have several across the nation cause 1. it is a cool name, 2. all the letters mean something, I just cant remember what it is again, 3. and that is what we are going to do. Stir up the pot and make people feel uncomfortable about tobacco and how we have turned a blind eye to what it is doing to our friends.

Anyway, keep quit and never give up.

Keep me informed on this. I've never been open with my nicotine addiction to students. I know open discussion on my part could be eye-opening for students, I always worry that it could be detrimental for others. Keep it real counselor.

[Ricko]

So I found myself on the thirteenth page of introductions. It is really weird going back and seeing what a mess I was. My whole intent is to add to my saga this thought:

There is not a reward you can give yourself other than the quit. That is itself the biggest reward in life. It leads to freedom and life without the chains of nic sneakin chillin in a place so that no one knows your there. My biggest struggle from time to time is the little thought in my head that says, "hey you showed everyone you have quit, time for a reward." I have my reward and that is freedom. Do not get fooled and do not think it does not lurk around and is ready to pounce when you least expect it.

I am at 835 days quit today. I do not post everyday like I should. There are two buddies that post more than I in my group, Syndrome and Justquit. LTCD and ButchTN and a few others come in from time to time. When I was looking for my into I ran into many names I remembered that did not get all that far, some have come back again, disappeared and come back again. I plan to stay here and keep posting from time to time.

I am starting up a tobacco free awareness group at my school I work at that is going to go by the name of REBEL. I picked that up from another school in south carolina and they have several across the nation cause 1. it is a cool name, 2. all the letters mean something, I just cant remember what it is again, 3. and that is what we are going to do. Stir up the pot and make people feel uncomfortable about tobacco and how we have turned a blind eye to what it is doing to our friends.

Anyway, keep quit and never give up.

[Ricko]

Where Have I been? Sorry bet quit family I have not been here for a couple days. I had another friend pass away and she just turned 39 due to breast cancer. Her husband and her both teach at the elementary school where my kids go to school and their kids and my kids are the same age and have known each other since preschool and she was one of my kids math teachers and we also were working on a committee together at the middle school.

I am not posting this for any reason other to let you know why we are here at this sight. We are the mouthpiece for people who need help in quitting tobacco. I had the opportunity to talk with someone that is looking for a way out of the grip of nic and so I told them about this place. Will it work for them, yes. At the right time.

I told them I still have cravings from time to time and I get really frustrated about that but always have this place to come to, and other people to tell that need the word. This is my last quit and I make it my last quit each day.

My wife is going in for some major surgery on Tuesday of this week. Female stuff is the best answer but there may or may not be other complications. Am I worried? Yes, Scared, kind of yes. But I also know that know matter what things will be ok and this is something that I have learned through going through this quit that Nothing can be as worse as failure but even worse is the giving up and not trying or caring or looking to the future. Day by day we make that commitment to do the best we can.

Thanks for your support and everything your doing, your quit alone verifies that there is a chance for us all to remain nic free and help others in the process.

[Smokeyg]

I will support you.

Ya big galoot.

[Ricko]

Hey I wanted to put this on my HOF speech space but I guess you cannot add to the HOF so Intro is good cause sometimes we have to reintroduce ourselves as we might have changed over 100 days and people may not recognize us. I am under the time gun at this time becuase I have to take my kids to swimming and I have to leave in 5 minutes and I am not even gonna scratch the surface but I want everyone that sees this intro, long time quit or not, and go back to your intro and see who is around your name. I was going to post something else but was very moved by the people I miss dearly samsdad, longtallcooldrink, wifesdad, just to name a few. my crew has dwindeled down to some really strong quitters with dedication and determination not to let the nic bitch back in our life and help others that need help. I am going to assume that those that drifted away are still quit and there was some conflict that keeps them from posting here daily.

But that is the whole point of the 2nd 100 days, redefining your committment. I could have jetted on out, who is to say I would have caved, I did not want to find out and I have made some pretty good friendships here and

I still live day to day. I know that is always an option I do not want to make, caving but it looms over the head from time to time. Everyday is a big deal for each of us. If it is not a big deal then we must be cured. I do not think there is a cure but there is support and you have it here. Keep up the great work.

[polydip]

Kind of strange how when you deprive your body of one adiction it tries to apply the "one is too many, one-thousand is not enough" rule to something else.

[Montana Rob]

Thanks for the inspiration! Keep it up and have a Pepsi on me!

[Ricko]

Today is a monumental day for me as I have also quit drinking for a while, maybe forever but I am just doing it day by day. The only way to go. I am now 50 days no alcohol, what does this have to do with my nic quit? ONe thing that I quickly did was overcompensate with my consumption of alcohol and drugs with my lack of nic. Addictive situations can quickly change when you cut off one avenue, another ugly head is grown.

Anyway, I am strong on my nic quit at 179 and 50 days at no alcohol. This is only possible from the support of this sight and the encouragement of people I really do not know, yet they care so much for me.

A special thanks to everyone, I really would like to name names but It would have to be forever long.

If you take a moment and skroll down to the beginning of my introduction you can enjoy the hot St. Patricks day Girl from Kevin Ravins and see that when I first started and joined, I really sucked at typing, I was pretty much toasted when here. I was in pain and was having a difficult time coping with the changes I was going through.

It is still tough, but I have learned I do not have to face this by myself. I have a legion of friends here for support. It also helps to seek help from a theripist, psychologist, or some qualified person to help you cope with this new life. There is nothing wrong with it, your family will appreciate it and you will be proud of yourself for taking care of yourself and get to where life is worth living.

So the main purpose of this message is to thank everyone who is supporting me, and believe it that you new people also support us in ways you will not understand until you get to where we are now. So thanks, do not leave this place, we need each other and post your thoughts. It helps you and others.

Have a great day. :)

[kevinsravens]

CONGRATS ON 100. THESE POSTS SEEMS LIKE THEY WERE ONLY YESTERDAY.

NOW CONTINUE TO POST DAILY AND ENJOY BEING CLEAN

[Ricko]

So every Sunday morning I get up, brew some coffee, read the paper and then go to Church. I then ponder the lesson of my Sunday School Class. We follow the weekly lessons from ‘The Christian Century”. Today’s lesson was on some scripture in Isaiah regarding the time in which God will come and rescue the Jews from their enemies, and the impatience people had at that time.
We also start off with an ice breaker question and it was relate a time in which you were very impatient. I first remembered a time when I was maybe 8 or 9, and it was Christmas Eve and I could not wait for Christmas day. I decided that if I went to sleep when I woke up it would be Christmas. Well it was 2:00 pm in the afternoon and I slept until 8 that evening, I was so sure it was Christmas but to my dismay it was still Christmas Eve. I was not a happy camper and also could not get to sleep.
My whole life I had been an impatient person. Always wanting to be older than I was, Get my drivers license, Get a job, graduate from high school, graduate from college was my complete goal. Marriage was not in my goal plan so I was in no hurry for that. So I just floated around doing what ever I felt like doing.
So when I did get married (at 28) and then first child I noticed that I was wishing her life away (canÂ’t wait to get out of diapers, walk talk, preschool, etc.) and realized I needed to relax and enjoy the moment because soon it would be over and what do have; some memories that you really cannot remember because you were always looking for the next activity to gratify yourself.
Another person shared a story about how he was down at the beach with his extended family on Thanksgiving day, They were going to fry turkeys and he was in charge of the food, They were at a really long jetty at Aransas pass and the two older sons were at the end and he was walking with his daughter trying to get to the end of the jetty to get the walk over and be able to get back to the house to cook the Turkeys and his daughter was jumping over the cracks slowly and looking down in them. She came across a small sea turtle that had been washed up in there at high tide and could not escape. She called her dad over and asked him to help and she said see, youÂ’re going to fast and you missed him. You need to slow down. Kind of like smelling the roses but really saving turtles.
Another person shared about being so impatient during her pregnancy, and another shared about his fatherÂ’s death, which really struck a cord in several because when you see someone suffering you really want it to be over and it drags on and on and on. And you already know the outcome.
All of this made me think of my quit and how even though I have really slowed down and try and enjoy the really sweet moments in life, this quit thing is driving me nuts because I just want it to be over, Done, Complete. At the same time I really am enjoying the quit because I am having new experiences in how time moves, how things sound, how my pocket feels empty with out the can in place, replaced by wigleys cobalt gum. Feeling the commitment in the morning, the agony at some point during the day, the joy and relief that comes at the end of another successful day.
Life is a crazy thing with multiple paths and intertwines. I am thankful for my quit today because it is helping me experience freedom, and how knows what I would miss if I did not take the time to quit.