events!

saturday was a good day in my life... i have officially been a non-smoker for six months! i cannot believe that it has been this long! i think i have amazed myself with my own will power, as i have always seen myself as someone who lacks self discipline. i must say that i am often at odds with my nonsmokerness. cigarettes were very close friends of mine for quite awhile and they were always there for me...in my backpack, in my purse, down the hall at the tobacco shop. i loved the ritual of smoking, all the paraphenalia needed... a lighter or book of matches, an ashtray, the actual box the cigarettes come in... then the act of packing the cigarettes against my palm, pulling one of the sticks out, holding it to my lips and lighting. it was often done without thought, more habitually than anything.

but i am doing really well. i am sometimes at a loss with what to do with my hands so i am typing, writing and crafting more often, very positive activities. i dont have daily cravings anymore but i still think about my old friends. it is easier here in boston as all the restaurants and bars are non-smoking and also that i dont know any smokers here. it will be a bit more difficult when i return to chicago because i have many associations with smoking there, but i am up for the challenge. i have also promised myself a trip to the mexican rivera on my one year anniversary which falls in the middle of january so that is some serious motivation.

saturday also saw some other awesome events in my life...mjk and i have officially been together for nine months. i must say that it seems like a lot longer, in a good way, as we are so close and have done so many exciting things together. i am so excited for our future!

and last but definetly not least...mjk received a new second cousin. a 9 pound (!!) baby boy named carter was added to the family! how exciting