Stop Smoking Support Thread
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O2BE: Damn near peed my pants when I saw your posting. Well the wash cloth actually came from the kitchen. You know the kind clean but more grey colored than white. And because the hot flashes wouldn't leave one of my classmates tried soaking it in ice at one point. My dance partner probably figured since he was in from Colorado and his wife couldn't come and he had her blessing to dance...he would go for the one with no hair and if any pictures were taken he would be safe. What wife would toss a fit over a woman who has no hair and no make-up. I was safe and that darn rag on the head was oh soooooooo cute I am sure. Yup if you don't mind being embarrassed I am the one to hang with...never know what I will do and where.
On the guy who talked about sick and not sick folks...he really shoved his foot in his mouth. To bad it didn't pop out the back end...dumb nut.
Nadine
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Hey all just checking in. Oncology appointment cancelled until 2morrow. UGH! I hate waiting if you haven,t figured tat out, lol. Hopefully news 2 morrow! nite nite!
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Malle--good luck to you on your job search. I really believe that it will all work out. I took this job (reluctantly) because we needed the extra money. But, I really do enjoy my work! I am having fun. So, even though the pay is not great, and it is only 30 hours a week, and it doesn't have benefits, I still enjoy it. In my book, that is what is the most important thing. BC taught me that. You will find something just like that, I am sure of it!
Nadine, you hit it on the head about the money hungry a$$hole bosses out there. There are some good ones, and I hope your hubby finds one quickly. It just stinks that we have to worry about this on top of everything else.
Michelle--I agree with you. I do not like the idea of the government running the insurance industry, but something HAS to be done. We make too much to get any aid, and private insurance won't cover us AND our Cobra (which is about to run out) is over $1000 a month!!! Good Lord, that is more than some people's mortgage! I am so close to protesting in Washington. I have written my congressman and senator, and I get the same old political bullsh$t. I think we should vote them ALL out in 2010. NONE of them get my vote, we need new blood up there!
Ok, enough of my rant. Time to get ready for work. I am spending the first 1 1/2 of work giving a walking tour of the downtown area and the beach.....heehee....not too tough! I love being on the Gulf of Mexico every day! Mother Nature is awesome! That is what I will think about today instead of insurance.
Love to all!
Ellie
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Rachel--sorry to hear about your appointment. Let us know what happens! Good luck!
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Hi Ladies, been working really hard. This week is full of deadlines and I regret my lazy days. Need my energy back!! I think I am losing my nipple. The skin is turning black at the end. Dr told me that I can't wear a bra and any rubbing of the nipple can be bad. I can't help think it's my smoking too. After looking at it this morning, I got bummed and went and had a couple of puffs. Hate this!!! Here I am getting ready to lose my nipple and I go have a couple of puffs. Today I just want to smoke all day and I need to really try to cut way done and I should quit. I can't seem to stop this insanity!!! But on the positive side, got my stars for the Oct 17th breast cancer grappling charity event.
O2Bhealthy, awesome that you are almost done with your chemo. Going to miss you on that triple whammy. You can always post in here to get rid of any stress, etc. What size would 450 cc's put you at. I have 750 in my cancer boob, making me a D cup. Congrats on your quit days. Don't you dare start up!! You will have to start all over and I heard it get's harder every time. Come play farm town with me!!!
Malleme, I use the same shampoo as you do. My hair feels a lot thicker than it did before. Sorry your whole family is sick, that has to be hard. Break out the crock pot and make chicken soup or stew. Where are you in your recovery?
Rachel, good luck with your scans. Great to get everything in order. Sending you positive thoughts your way. I know how that smoking goes. Up and down until you finally quit! I have to make a quit date otherwise I keep putting it off another day. Maybe I will try next week.
FIfish, I hope your energy comes back soon. Happy that you like your job. It's so important as it's a huge chunk of you day. I like having my place clean too, but it's because I like my home where before I was a real slob, lol. Puppy is keeping me really busy. Sometimes I think about sticking a cork up her butt, lol.
Nadine, nice talking with you! Awesome on your 28 days. That is about $126 in saving here in Denver. Every little bit helps. I hope we can do great things in the future with BCBF/K and help not just charities but also the individual who is really hurting. The church I went to as a child did things like that and I like that. That is funny about your hot flash, lol. At my last event I looked like someone poured water on me, made me look more stress and like I was running like a mad women. I hope it mellow out soon for us!!!
Pantufas, I know that you on a trip but just letting you know I am thinking of you!
Love to all, back to work!
Janet0 -
Darn, missed a page. Will catch up later tonight, lol.
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OK. So Here it is. ER/PR are positive> HER2....is negative. SOOOO It will be hormone therapy and either Chemo or Hormone ans Zometa. They are doing an Onco test on Invasive tumor, to find out which is best. PET scan negative, YAY! My husband bought me my last pack of cigs today then it is patch time for real! Sooo tire all, off to bed just wanted to update. Thank you for the good thoughts!
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Janzin the is terrible about you nipple, maybe it is just a shadow like one of my infection lines. ok so I am trying to be positive. I am sending such positive vibes your way.
Me- I was supposed to get my stitches out yesterday and the right side blew a few stitches and infection starting. Thank God my Primary Dr gave me 1000mg of Biaxion to get rid of the bronchitits and sinus infection. So I have to wait to next week, PS wouldn't touch anything so no llifting no arms over head ( try not getting groceries and then having to carry them in) Sometimes I think they really have not clue what a mothers has to do. He so nice but clearly said I wasn't following his instructions. Oh I asked about going in the sun, he about flipped out, Sun makes the skin dead skin, right now we need it to get all the oxygen it can get. NO Sun anywhere on chest area. ok so I get it now.
Rachael- Well at least your one step closer to knowing what direction your treatment will be heading. Check the board on this site of Her2negative. Pet scan negative is fantastic thank god you caught it really early.
I am so tired form this cold have a great day everyone.
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Nadine, in Jersey you would have saved $400 dollars if you smoked 2 packs a day.
Denver cigs are so much cheaper... Awesome girl
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Janzin - I hope your nipple doesn't die...I cannot imagine how much clothing must irate it...can you work around the house topless so that it can get lots of air??? Sending LOTS of positive vibes your way!!!!
Rachel - so glad you got your results and PET was clear...Hope oncotype is low...
Malleme - sending positive thoughts your way...hope the antibiotics kick both the infections butts!
Off to work this morning...ugh first morning shift and having a hard time motivating...
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Good morning ladies! It is Friday and I am well overdue for a 3 day weekend. I have only been working 2 weeks, but I am pooped! Here is wishing you a happy and safe holiday weekend......or at least one where everyone feels well and no one loses nipples.......:-(
Love to all!
Ellie
PS--I am still smoking at night, but it has been 2 weeks of NO SMOKING from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm......for that I am grateful. It is a start.
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Hi Ladies: Today is day 30 of no smoking. Never thought I would make it this far. Yippee!
I look at my nasty looking feet and think how terrible they look thanks to chemo. Then I think of blacken nipples and figure I am not so bad off. Hope you called the doctor about this Nancy, better to be safe than sorry.
Been farming. Farming you may ask...yup got hooked on Facebook and farming my fingers to the bone. Crazy how time passes and all problems are forgotten by something so simple as a game. Yup I am addicted and have Janet and Nancy to thank for that. I hurry to get the work done and on the computer I go. I am big into research and that work has been put aside for farming...I was always the outdoor girl but farming????
Hope everyone has a safe holiday weekend.
Lots of hugs and love,
Nadine
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Hi Ladies,
Been working 12 hour days for a while so getting pretty burnt out. A couple more things and I am caught up. Have a lot to do today but wanted to send my best wishes for all of you. I have read the posts and you are all in my thoughts. Will reach out soon, a lot of great posts!
Hugs,
Janet0 -
I have been lurking a while but not posted lately on here. Could anyone, someone tell me the low down on patches and nicotrol inhaler? I have VERY sensitive skin and allergic to adhesive tape. I am becoming motivated to set a stop date, since son and dil expecting a baby in April. My only son, first grandbabe.
My biggest problem overall is boredom. I am a widow, live alone, no pets (not fair as I come and go often and security deposit is HIGH if you have), retired (age 63), not keen on going out alone at night when it is dark at 5 PM. I do go to places where I cannot smoke during the day, but you know how nights can be. No stores within walking distance, so I have to be dressed and drive to get cigs.
Congrats to those who have quit. Any help is appreciated. Hugs, Nancy
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Lefty - I tried the inhaler a couple of years ago and it does work if you are committed to quit...I wasn't at the time but I did make it a month with the inhaler even with my I don't want to do this attitude. I did not like the patch for the same reasons (sensitive skin and rash with use). Tried hypnotherapy ,TWICE, forgot about the first time and four years later went back to the same lady and tried again! I also used the lozenges...didn't like them because I couldn't just suck on them, I had to chew! The gum worked best for me (I liked the generic original flavor the best) but PS, BS and Onc all said the nicotine in the gum could affect my healing and chemo so had to go cold turkey. Got addicted to Wrigleys Doublement Gum for a month but then had surgery and with all the recovery stuff finally was able to kick the Doublement habit too!
The boredom is the worst...Like Nadine and Janet, I started playing FarmTown on Facebook and played other computer and online games. I have also just started being able to concentrate long enough to be able to read a book again (Yipee!!!). I wish I had other suggestions or advise but I have only tried the above quit smoking techniques. I was a die hard smoker, it was my comfort, escape and best friend but I was able to become a non-smoker and now have over 100 days under my belt...quit 5-5-09!! Best suggestion is Do Not Smoke in your home or car...if smoking is inconvient and it is a hassle to have to get dressed, go outside and puff, it becomes easier to say goodbye to cigs.
Best Wishes and Good Luck!
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Flfish - Congrats on not smoking during the day - 9 hours is AWESOME
Nadine - Yippee! 30 days, 1 months 1/12 of a whole year...Congrat's!!! Loved farming with you last night and hope to see you again tonight...
Janet - ugh 12 hour days...I would be nuts...well I am already nuts but I would be really cranky! Oh hell I am cranky too! I am going to get a massage today because I am so emotional and have so much pent up...I don't know what is wrong...depression maybe???...All I know is emotions are out of control and I feel like I am going to explode and start crying at the drop of a hat so maybe a nice relaxing massage will help...PLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASE let it help!
Lots of love and hugs to all!!!
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Athena - thank you for the information and congrat's on over 100 days too! Sorry to hear you had such issues with the Lupron... I struggled with the same emotions of deprivation and rebellion with my past attempts as well. I think the only way I was able to quit was there was NO WAY I was going to go through chemo and only get 50% of the benefit nor was I going to let nicotine delay my healing...I had to look at quiting as another part of the treatment process...a necessary evil to kick cancers butt! Most days I don't even think about it but occasionally I have 'moments' of sadness or mourning.
Janet is putting together a website for the BCBF (Breast Cancer Butt Fondler's) and BCBK (Butt Kickers) as another source of support and encouragement. I think she will be posting quit dates and we can post our stories to encourage newbies and oldies so keep checking in...
Best wishes!
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Hello Athena and AKA, thanks for checking in! Nice to see you back!
AKA, wish I could give you more on the inhalers, never tried it. If do try it, let us know how it goes for you. I wish you could have pets as my new puppy and cat helps me sooo much. Love theri company and it makes working at home less lonely. Come try playing with us on facebook, maybe that will help. Here is my link to add me as your friend.http://www.facebook.com/janet.zingano
Athena, you are so right about not picking a date as I tend to slowly go back to smoking a lot. So I will pick a new date again, going to try really hard and do it. Sept 9th will be my new date, always like that number.
Will I got my packages off so I need to take a little break. Been non stop for quite a while, eating at the computer to save time, lol. Going to work on our site this week. Come farm with us as it is my happy spot for the day, enjoy playing and chatting with you ladies at the same time.
Congrats on all the days, hope to be there soon.
Hugs,
Janet0 -
Thank you athena and michelle for responding. As far as facebook, I used one special email address when I signed on and almost immediately got HUNDREDS of spam emails. Facebook was the only site I used for that address, so I decided to quit it.
I al allergic to chocolate and I don't like wine. I have a Knifty Knitter and am on scarf # 3, and it is hard to smoke and "knit" at the same time. My car is 10 years old, so you can imagine how much of a cess pool of lingering smoke odors it is. I am trying not to smoke in the car, and I have been going outside my apartment to smoke more and more.
I will get some Doublemint gum, as it is not a drug or medicine and that suits me best. I do not want to put more drugs in my system. BTW, by the way, I smoked all during chemo and finished my last Herceptin in July. My tumor shrunk to nothing, which was the plan. My nodes were clear, and clear margins with surgery. And my MUGA scans were unchanged from before to the end of tx.
Thanks again. I will stop in here from time to time to check on you all. Hugs and keep up the good work. Nancy
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Lefty - YAY to be done with Chemo and Herceptin!!! I still have two T/C to go and Herceptin until Aug 2010. TX #3 is Sept 9th and I am already starting to experience anticipation dread...I know the chemo will be done at the end of the month but when the SE's hit it feels like it will never be over...
I hope the doublement gun works for you...I was like a cow chewing its cud, constantly chewing...woke up popped gum in my mouth and chewed until bedtime
but it worked for me!Please keep checking in and let us know how you are doing.
Best wishes and hugs!
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Hi AKA, I tried some of the sugar free candies, variety helps. I chat with the BC ladies during the evening times and I know there are ladies in the morning time so you could pretty much reach out all day. Posting in here is awesome but love chatting with the gals. Come give it a shot, we would love to talk to you and entertain you during the boring nights. It has helped me sooo much and I think it will be great for you.
O2Bhealthy, can't wait for your chemo to be done. I will do a happy dance and post it, lol.
Nadine, sorry to miss you last night but we have sooo muchy time. Happy to have you.
REKoz, miss your wit. I hope you are doing well, drop in a line and let us know how you are doing.
Pantufas, ou must be back now, seems like forever. Miss you.
MB, Candie, Sue, worried about you. Hope you are doing well.
Nobleanna, you a hoot. Looking forward to cahtting with you.
Fifish, hope the work hours are not killing you. Miss you and your BAHAHAHAHA's.
Sorry, memory is bad. If I forgot you, my heart is with you. AND YOU NEED TO POST, LOL.
Best to all, going to put in a great work day!
Hugs,
Janet0 -
Hi AKA, I tried some of the sugar free candies, variety helps. I chat with the BC ladies during the evening times and I know there are ladies in the morning time so you could pretty much reach out all day. Posting in here is awesome but love chatting with the gals. Come give it a shot, we would love to talk to you and entertain you during the boring nights. It has helped me sooo much and I think it will be great for you.
O2Bhealthy, can't wait for your chemo to be done. I will do a happy dance and post it, lol.
Nadine, sorry to miss you last night but we have sooo muchy time. Happy to have you.
REKoz, miss your wit. I hope you are doing well, drop in a line and let us know how you are doing.
Pantufas, ou must be back now, seems like forever. Miss you.
MB, Candie, Sue, worried about you. Hope you are doing well.
Nobleanna, you a hoot. Looking forward to cahtting with you.
Fifish, hope the work hours are not killing you. Miss you and your BAHAHAHAHA's.
Sorry, memory is bad. If I forgot you, my heart is with you. AND YOU NEED TO POST, LOL.
Best to all, going to put in a great work day!
Hugs,
Janet0 -
Hi my dear sweet friends. Words cannot express how much I have missed you! I am literally bawling...just at the fact that so many of you never forgot me. Right now I am going througha horrible time in life, and it seems like the whole world has turned it's back on me...and then I get on here, I see that people who have never even met me, are still thinking about me, and even possibly love me. I have truly missed this site...with all my heart! I did a very quick skim of all the posts..and many made me laugh, some made me cry even harder, and most of all...they all gave me hope. You all are so strong, I wish I had an ounce of your strength! I have to make this short, but I just wanted to say hello, welcome to the newcomers, and again, thank you SO much for all of your love and support! I love you all...
Much Love To All!
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Hi girlfriends!-
Quick check in because our leader Janet always remembers me! Though I do read this thread daily, I previously wrote how I just don't know what to say but I FINALLY figured out what it is that keeps me from posting often. It's the fact that it's a stop smoking thread and I haven't done that! Reading a few of the above posts about tips and ways others have coped with the quitting process really made me realize that until I get my act together, I am truly not someone who is trying to quit right now. I've done it before and I know cold turkey is the way to go for me. I also know what strength of mind it takes and I just haven't been willing to commit my mind to that. Yes, it's totally ridiculous that I can't get there what with my breast cancer and Dad's lung cancer. He was a lifetime smoker who was as stubborn as me about giving it up. Now, he is begging me through his oxygen tubes! My God, I just don't get me sometimes but I think it all boils down to (for me) the fact that I have not yet dealt completely with all that I have lost through this bc journey. I'm trying to move on to the "new me" but I still have more treatment, more surgery and I just can't seem to find my way yet. I am so wrapped up with being a smoker and yes, I do still enjoy it. I think I have to begin to at least VISUALIZE myself as a non smoker. Better than this stubborn "I am a smoker" stance for sure.
Oh ladies, I just don't know. I love you all surely will not drop out of this thread. But I will do more of my socializing on facebook with ya all OK? I just want to be part of the stop smoking thread when I am actually doing just that!
I am so happy for those of you who have been successful! And I will never stop singing my praises about all you strong women. Now, can ya give me some of that strength and maybe a dose of common sense?
xoEllen
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The crazy thing that seems to keep me together each day is my new friendships here and on Facebook. For me farming and chatting with my BC friends gives me the lift I need to face each day. As many know I come from a long line of cancers. Being only 55 I am now the oldest living member of my family left. I had quit smoking for a short time when my mother was just a few weeks from passing. I had started smoking while taking care of her. I remember one time going in to check on her and she looked at me and asked why I had started smoking again. She could smell the smoke odor...I told her I would quit but right then couldn't. Mother knew what I was saying...and not another word was mentioned about my smoking. I had promised myself that I would quit after she passed away. I always came up with excuses in my mind as to why I couldn't quit. Then in February BC decided to make a visit to me...it wasn't until I finally realized I have BC...could get any of the other cancers that have all been killers in my family. It was like I walked head first into the wall...BAMM...what in the world was I doing???? So when the time is there each of us will know it...if its not the right time then its not. Oh yes I do want to smoke but for me, I can't give in. Its like the control over my hair....my hair was within days of falling out...I had hubby buzz it and as mad and scared as I was of the cancer, and then loosing my hair I actually rejoiced because I had power over something. So for me my quit was my power over the smokes.
I would love to see everyone join us on Facebook. Janet is a kick and we have a good time and just chat. And its our time to let our hair down and relax. (Not that I have much hair yet to let down). I never thought in a million years I would get hooked on farming on Facebook...but it really helps calm my mind.
Love you all,
Nadine
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Hello Ladies,
Started the patches today again! They actually work the best for me. (i know someone was asking bout that) I have been researching this Zometa stuff. My onco may want to do this with hormone therapy. I am just worried about how new the study is. and as terrible as chemo may be I know it is a tried and true treatment. plus my Insurance co. wont pay for zometa. Do any of you lovely ladies have any input on zometa instead of chemo? BTW I have also started eating dum dum lollipops by the bag, i feel like kojack!
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Rachel, I do not have to "worry" about Zometa and hormone therapy as I am er/pr negative, but I can understand your concern. Next Friday I will have the once a year Zometa infusion for osteoporosis prevention, as both my mom and sis have it. I "only" have osteopenia, been the same results over the past 10 years on DEXA scans.
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Hi Ladies, have the blues days but the good about my blues and exhaustions is that I don't smoke much. Funny how that works, comes and goes for no apparent reason. I think my mind let's me process more on some days than others so I don't go completely nuts. I did say I was going to quit this wed, scared already but really have to do it.
REKoz, I so understand you not posting here but if you ever want to quit, come on back. We will miss your wit and support but we have FB and I love the fact that I can get in touch with you there. I hope the girls who have time will check in because the newbie's need their help, etc. But you can check in anytime. I feel crazy smoking still too.
Butterfly, I so missed you. Sorry that everything is hitting you hard still. Remember it takes time to process and the days we cry hard is the days we are strong enough to deal with it, even though it doesn't feel like it. You are loved here and the things we go through helps makes us have more empathy and compassion for others. It really open up my heart some more. I can see all the love you have in you and you are wonderful!
Nadine, you have a hubby who is with you and loves you. That is awesome. I have my dob and cat and sometimes I miss being married, having that significant other to share your life with. This post and FB has been huge to help my loneliness and you women have helped my sanity. Taking the day slow enough though the work is piling up, it's piling up because I take too much time off with the lack of energy but I keep plugging away knowing I will get there but not as fast as I would like lol. See you in Farmtown I hope.
Rachell, I quit for 8 years on the patch before. I am not allowed hormone therapy so I deal with menopause full on, really sucks. I would be worried too with new meds but I be you could post somewhere on this form to get more opinions. Try the sugarless mixed with the sugar for your teeth lol. By the way, smoking is soooo bad for your teeth, another great thing about quitting. Good luck to you, let us know how you are doing.
AKA, so glad you are posting again. Love your support, you are awesome. Hope everything is doing well.
Low energy so I will quit on this huge chapter, the rest of you, hugs your way!
Janet0 -
Thanks ladies for your info! Janzin, hope you feel better soon! I found a zometa board on here. Most women are getting it w/ chemo not i lieu of. I am afraid I may have to break up with my onco. lol. She is very good but very opinionated! I will keep you all posted. Praying for fill at PS tomorrow, I am 100cc's behind because of my popped sutures. Onco on 9/22. Please take care ladies!
rachel
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Rachel first of all I will be praying for you, that your health improves greatly...and secondly "hi"
Not sure if we've officially "met"....soooo just wanted to add that in there tooJanzin you're awesome....as always! Don't ever forget that! Sorry to hear you have the blues...I'm sending you some sunshine
so you better get out that tanning oil, and big ol' beach towel, and a bikini and get ready to relax those blues away (ahhh....the visual in my imagination of being on the beach just brightened up my moment....=) I hope it did yours too!) Also, thank you for your love and support, both on here and on FB!Rekoz it's ok if you come on here and haven't quit, but if you feel convicted, that's ok too....we still LOVE you very much, and support you 100%. Just pop in every now and then and let us know your A-O-K
Nadine thank you SO much for your words of inspiration, and your testimony! I like your viewpoint of having the power to control something...I really like that...and that's something I'm going to pray about for myself...because it struck a cord, so to speak, within me...soooo we shal see
Pantufas, O2b, FlFish...hope all of you are doing well, and sending you special hugs and loves!
And of course to everyone on here...may you each have a wonderful night...sweet, precious dreams, and before you close your eyes tongiht, try to think of 5 good things that happened today..it can be something as simple as what one of mine will be tonight which is...my neighbor waved to me as I drove by, and I never met the person before, never saw them before, but it put a smile on mine, and their faces, and reminded me of the good still in this world!
Much Love To All!!!
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