semi-OT: any ex-smokers here? - Page 2

[Da WIC Lady]

Originally Posted by Curlita

My parents both smoked while we were growing up and it was a drag. Aside from whatever health risks they took with us, how gross is it to be 6 years old and smell like cigarette smoke?

In the 8th grade my orchestra conductor asked me if I was a smoker because my sheet music stank from where I would take it home and practice. My father smoked with the doors and windows closed tight, as did my maternal grandparents with whom I spent a lot of time. When I looked at him like he had three heads he apologized and asked if my parents smoked because of the reek of smoke that hung on at least the paper. I never noticed it on my clothing until I was older, but I probably smelled like a chimney too. It was another 5-6 years before I did start smoking. I was always careful not to smoke in the house without ventilation and washed my hands often. Now smoke makes me ill.

Anna

[meisterfrau]

Ok, I think this thread made me have a dream last night. I don't always go much for dream interpretation, but I think this one is pretty obvious.

I was on my way to a party and there was some kind of really bad storm/earthquake or something going on. This is a common anxiety dream for me, anyway, and in these dreams I become paralyzed. I was trying to get into the building for safety and couldn't move. Eventually I got there with the help of other people who were also trying to make it to shelter.

Once inside I was trying to find what would be the safest place in the building in the event that it collapsed...everything was shaking. In the dream, I was some kind of journalist, and I was there to interview some musician. I found him and started to ask him some questions.

He offered me a cigarette, and I took it and followed him outside to smoke it. You know...outside, where I had just struggled to get away from because it was so dangerous? : Reminding me, of course, of the way I'd stand out in sleet, rain, snow, cold, heat, you name it, like a complete idiot to feed my habit.

And it was a Parliament. So not even worth it!

[Grace24]

Originally Posted by meisterfrau

Reminding me, of course, of the way I'd stand out in sleet, rain, snow, cold, heat, you name it, like a complete idiot to feed my habit.

And it was a Parliament. So not even worth it!

Yes, yes, yes! I don't miss that. (And parliament, bleah!) And when you smoke outside ANY passerby can and will comment on how you shouldn't be smoking, how much you smoke, etc. or just shoot you a dirty look like you're the devil... so you end up smoking inside even though you SWORE you never would, and everything stinks for years afterwards...

Wow, ya know here's the thing, sometimes I miss smoking but I will never miss being a smoker. It helps that DH is an ex-smoker too... he'd kick my butt (no pun intended) if I ever picked it up. He grew up with a family of smokers and he and both his brothers (and a couple of his nieces) all have asthma. When we do our wills and name a guardian, we can't name the brother we want to (Paul's oldest) because he smokes IN THE HOUSE and lives with their dad who also smokes IN THE HOUSE so we have to leave the kid to Uncle Tom, whom I'd rather not, just cuz I don't want my kid growing up around smokers. :

And yet, here's the weird thing, I'm craving a ciggie lately! ?

[meisterfrau]

Wow, ya know here's the thing, sometimes I miss smoking but I will never miss being a smoker.

YES. This, exactly.