One Year, No Smoking...

[clovisc]

It's now been an entire year since I quit smoking altogether... and I'm proud to say, a year without a single puff or weak moment. I'd been a smoker for about two years, and had been struggling with quitting ever since I began.

The improvements to my health have been phenomenal. And I've saved at least $1,800... not to mention all the time I would have wasted, gas wasted running out to the store, etc.

I think it's about time to get myself a present... :D

I've been thinking about getting a rifle for a while, but -- as much as I like game meat -- hunting just doesn't seem too appealing to me.

An obvious choice would be a spydie... but then, what spydie would be most appropriate for such a special occassion? I'd buy ten Chokwe folders or so, if they were available right now, but... :D Guess I have to wait a little while.

I'm not opposed to the idea of getting a Chris Reeve knife, either.

Another obvious choice, as I'm a fish-a-holic living in the "salmon capitol of the world," would be some new fly fishing gear. I caught and released thousands and thousands of salmon and trout last year, all on my own flies, and kept enough fish to feed myself and my two roommates VERY well... not to mention visitors and firends. :D

Right now I've got great 4, 6, 8, and 10 weight set-ups (as well as some back-up set-ups and loanders) for everything from small trout to nasty sharks and acrobatic coho and steelhead... I'm thinking about either a fancier 8-weight set-up (my mainstay... maybe a TFO Axiom 9' 8 wt with a Lamson 3.5 Konic Reel), or a two-handed fly rod (14 feet long or so) for skagit and spey style steelhead and salmon battles. I go as light as 6 weight on salmon, which is insane to some people, and maybe slightly too light for my purposes... I'm thinking maybe a new 7 weight set-up would be nice, too...

Man... such hard decisions! Maybe my knifebrothers can help me out. :D

[zenheretic]

Well congrats on beating the beast up to this point.

I'd suggest something you use often enough that it will remind you of your victory as much as possible.

Of the items listed only you could say which that would be.

[The Deacon]

Congrats on reaching the one year mark! I know how difficult it is to do and also know you've had a couple stressful situations during that period which didn't make sticking to the plan any easier. I'd agree with Zen that you should buy something you will use, or at least look at, often and that only you can best decide what that would be.

[tonydahose]

congrats...i'd say get a high end :spyder: knife engraved by Montejano.

[dialex]

Congratulations and good luck in the years to come. Now treat yourself with a barnd new cigar cutter :eek:
OTOH maybe we could ask for a special quit smoking knife - something like the Pride but with a "No smoking" sign on the handles. ;)

[spydutch]

Comgrats Jason:cool::cool:

Still can't bring myself to it:o

[spyderknut]

Congratulations. Don't get a FireByrd.

[4077th]

I just surpassed the five year mark in October. My plan was to get a 2004 nickel (symbolic of five years and also the year of my quit) wrapped in that really fine copper wire, then made into a necklace. I've seen this done at craft shows. I just haven't been to one since my quit anniv, so the project is still on the back burner for now. By the time I get to a craft show, I may need a '04 dime! :)

Congrats on the tobacco-free year. It only gets easier. That's a fact.

[clovisc]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

At two months, I knew I'd have it beat.

At four months, I'd still dream about smoking nice cigars...

At six months, I'd dream about smoking, but they'd always be bad dreams, where I was screwing up my record.

Now, never ever think about it... even when hanging out with other smokers. It definitely gets easier. :D

I had a really good feeling today, and went out today and bought a Savage 116 "Weather Warrior" in 7mm Rem Mag. :D:D:D Guess I'll be headed to the range this weekend... :D