Max Pionus, soul searching

[Lynjupiter]

Well I have been thinking for a while on Maxi. Doing a lot of soul searching on the relationship I have with her. The only people who want her that might be qualified live out of state and I can't stand the thought of never seeing her again. But she needs to get out of the rescue and into a home. So I think I might break down and keep her.

My hubby and I made a deal. I quit smoking, Maxi can come home with me. I am a smoker, an outside smoker but a smoker all the same. Our worries on Maxi were time and money. Her mash is expensive along with the palm oil and organic applesauce. She has a potential for big vet bills. If I stopped smoking it would open up 100 bucks a month I could devote souly to Maxi's care. Plus I timed my smoking trips. It came out to one and a half to two hours a day standing out on my patio! There is the time for Maxi! Wish me luck! Starting this weekend I am going to try and quit. Maxi makes it worth it. If the right person comes along before I completely quit then Max will go. But so far the only right person I have met for Maxi is me :)
Lynda

[Dani]

Lynda you won't regret it.......I love my Jezebel!!

I'm also trying to quit......i need to save money, and well, you know all the other reasons....good luck!!!

[Doyle'sMommy]

PLEASE keep her!! You would make her whole world!! Good luck!

[Archive]

good reason to stop a bad (sorry) habit. think about how much your health in general will much better off without all that nicotine in your system! it will be a difficult road, but YES, maxi IS worth it!! :)

[Abby]

Well done Lyn. I wish you all the best and support for giving up the cancer sticks. Maxi is certainly a worthwhile reason to do it (as well as the whole health thing).

[Valo's Moirana]

lyn, what a nice post to read.... on one hand, maxi is going to have the best home ever... somebody who loves her and KNOWS how to care for her... and on the other hand, you'll be doing something good for yourself too (besides allowing your heart to have peace by keeping her - otherwise you'd always worry) by quitting

WAY TO GO !!!!!!!!! :woohoo:

[Archive]

Good incentive for you the quit! Keep that Max...and get healthy

We'll be rooting for ya

[JP]

quitting smoking is how I paid for Sophie. The trials and tribulations of stopping are so worth it!!! Chantix made has me helped me more then I could ever say.
Come on and join the party with us!!!

[Archive]

Yay Lynda! Yes, as Jim said, please join the party with us? Becoming and staying a non-smoker is a life-long process but we can do it, and the rewards are many. Not the least of those rewards for you would be that lovely little Maxi!

[Tiki]

Great news, Lynda! We know little Maxi loves you and have been urging her to keep her. Besides, I live too far away! :tongue: And quitting smoking is the best thing for your health! :applause:

[Lynjupiter]

Thanks everyone for your wonderful support! This going to be hard for me. I have been smoking since I was fourteen. My mom and grandmother were heavy smokers. So realy I have been smoking all my life. But between wanting Max and seeing what my friend went through with bladder cancer in her forties, I know it is time to stop. I would like to hear about what treatments everyone has used.
I will check for a smoking thread in lifestyles :)
Lynda

[Archive]

This is such great news for you and Maxi! Good luck- you can do it!!

[Doyle'sMommy]

How is day 1 going? I am praying for you Lynda! I hope it is as easy as possible! :hugs: And I think you are SO wonderful for what you are doing for Maxi! She loves you!

[Bustersbuddy]

Lynda,

You can do it, especially if you have a strong motivation. Maxi is certainly that. I quit smoking over a year ago and I know it is hard. I used nicotine patches and they worked very well for me. I also use a substitute "pacifier" like a pencil or pen to hold in my hands. Some nights I sit in my chair with a pencil between my fingers all night long while I watch tv, read or study. My partner still smokes so that makes it hard sometimes, but I get up and walk away til the urge passes. Find other things to do when the urge hits you. Walk around the block, go to the bathroom, get a different magazine or book to look at, play with one of the fids, do anything else for the thirty seconds or so it takes for the urge to pass. In time, the urges become less frequent and less powerful. They will still hit with a vengance from time to time, even as long as a year after you have quit, but they will pass.

Hang in there and every time you want a smoke rememer how Maxi looked when she first arrived at the shelter. Reflect on what a huge, positive influence you have had on her and how wonderful she looks now. That gives you a positive reinforcement that will be much stronger in the long run than negative aspects. Keep thinking in the positive. Rather than "I don't want to smoke" say "I am so happy that my clothes smell good" or "I feel so good today. It was wonderful to wake up with a fresh tasting mouth" Anything that is positive is harder to reinforce at first, but has a much more lasting effect in the long run. So find every positive aspect you can think of and let that be your mantra when you want a smoke. You may fall off the wagon, that's ok, just climb back on and don't beat yourself up. Remember you are human and addiction is tough to beat, but you can do it. Just tell yourself you made a mistake, it happens, but next time you're going to do something positive and remind yourself how good not smoking is.

We're here for you!

Best,

Doug

[mizbirdy]

Hey there Lynda! Congrats on deciding to quit smoking! Maxi is so worth it! Hang in there; in the beginning it's tough but you've got a great motivation! There's a bunch of us here that are in the same boat as you so if you need any help, just holler!!

[Lisa B]

I have tears in my eyes.
The power of love. Keep that in mind.
You are a special woman Lynda. I wish there
were more people in the world like you....but you already
know my feelings on you, and your contributions
to the bird world. I am proud to know you!

[gayla]

I have faith in you!