The Escape Artist ~ Diane Chamberlain

Linc and Susanna have been friends a lifetime. He has  helped more than anyone should have to in her troubled past but even he can't help when Susanna's ex husband and his wife decide that they want her little boy, Tyler. They gain custody of Tyler and Susanna knows her heart will break and decides to run taking her baby with her. She sets up home in Annapolis and despite trying to remain unnoticed she makes friends with a troubled artist and his sister.
Jim and his wife meanwhile brand Susanna as a felon for abducting the child and the hunt is on to get him back. As if Susanna doesn't have enough on her plate she discovers a list on a nearly new computer she has bought and unknowing puts both her and her son's life in danger.
Another fantastic read from Diane Chamberlain, the style of writing catches you up in a wave of emotions that any mother would hate to experience. Fast paced this is a book you will not put down until you are done.

Oh and 8 days, 21 hours, 46 minutes and 55 seconds smoke free with a saving of £56!

Smoke free for one week!

Well I have done what I thought may prove to be impossible and been a week off cigarettes. I am really proud of myself but even more proud of my daughter and her partner. Today was tough. I am tired and didn't feel so good, having episodes of dizzy spells and thinking I was going to faint several times in work.At one point I was really craving very badly and would have given in if the opportunity had given me the chance to, thankfully it passed as a good friend told me it would. Later on my e cig battery gave out and there were a few hairy moments while it was on charge too! But I remained a non smoker so all is good!
A well deserved glass of wine tonight before I go catch up on some much needed sleep!
Isn't it nice to see the better weather though? It really makes you feel so much healthier too.

Proud to say 1 week, 4 hours, 11 minutes and 8 seconds smoke free and £49 better off!

Day 6...almost reached a week!

Is it getting easier, why yes it is! I have no doubt that there will be days that will be much tougher than today but I guess I will just have to deal with them as they come!
Another work day done and today I chose not to go out at lunch time rather stay in and read for a bit after my lunch.
Absolutely shattered and have to nip out to another night volunteering at a local charity but tomorrow is my last day at work for the week and I look forward to coming home and having some me time ( and perhaps a glass or two of wine !)
Just finished The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, review to follow later but that kept my hands busy flicking the pages at the speed of light! I knew my reading addiction would come in handy!!!
Seen an article in the Guardian today about New York introducing a ban on cigarette sales to under 21's. Anyone an opinion on this? My thoughts are those that start young will find away to get them anyway!
6 days, 57 minutes , 23 seconds smoke free and £42 saved...go me!!!!

Day 5

Today was my first day coping with not smoking at work and it went really well. I did go out at break and lunch to keep a friend company and honestly didn't struggle one bit, very proud of my achievement to date!
Just a quick update today as I volunteer at a local charity on a Tuesday so it is a quick turnaround for me to get in, changed and out again. Last Tuesday night I was aware of how smoky I smelt in a small enclosed room with no other noticeable smokers, tonight I won't smell ( no smart comments!!!)
On that note, I am off, no idea where I fitted in the time to smoke!!!
5 days, 14 minutes, 30 seconds smoke free and £35 saved!!!

And so onto day 4...

Slept like a baby last night! Actually why do we use that term...babies quite often do not sleep that well and before someone suggests changing it to "slept" like a log....do logs actually sleep? Regardless of the technicalities the fact remains I slept well! An ex work colleague thought that perhaps my intake of nicotine from the e cig wasn't high enough so thought I would test that theory out and it seems true!

It was a testing day for me, quite a few cravings and then some glitches that would normally send me running for a blissful feg! Those stress factors included hitting a pop up traffic cone while reversing as some daft eejit forgot to pay his car parking fee and wanted out of the queue. Heard the crunch and felt sick but thankfully the cone popped back up again. The only drawback to Toyota Yaris' visibility is not great out the back window and this cone was clearly playing hide and seek with my wing mirrors.No damage done to car either :)
Stress factor two....when are they ever going to be done with roadworks on my way home...sat in traffic for 30 minutes and was losing the will to live and just when I changed lanes to go an arse about face route the ruddy traffic started moving freely. I tell you they are out to get me !
Then of course the dreaded assignment, probably the hardest hurdle to overcome as habit dictates continuous coffee and cigs while writing, ( being an author would kill me!).
Huge huggles and support go to my daughter who is doing really well in her journey of quitting also and good luck to her partner for starting his today!
 4 days, 54 minutes and 50 seconds smoke free with a nice little saving of £28!

Incidentally while walking to the train station I passed what used to be the very old maternity / gynae unit that I was born in , looking very disused now . Had to take a picture for posterity.

                                     Gardner Robb

Day 3

A little easier today, hubby being very supportive.
Last night was a nightmare, was very restless and easily annoyed so took myself to bed at 23.30 only to waken up 2 hours later. Thank heavens for my love of books as I read for an hour but despite this sleep did not come until 05.30 and then only for another two hours.I am assuming this is all part and parcel!
Today we went to check on the boat and hubby treated me to lunch and a pint of my favourite black stuff ( Guinness). The day was beautiful and has inspired us to get work done to the boat and make the most of it over the coming months.
I had hoped to meet up with my good friend Mary but just missed her .
My daughter is also trying to give up and bless her is struggling today, I really hope she manages and lots of positive vibes heading her way.
Below is Carrybridge in the sunshine,not our boat but looking forward to more days spent there on the water!
3 days, 10 mins smoke free and £21 better off!

Day 2

Restless night last night which apparently can be caused by withdrawal symptoms from some of the not so nice chemicals found in cigarettes. I battled on and managed quite nicely until early afternoon when I found myself jittery and wanting to raid the entire cupboard. Thankfully had melon and grapes in the fridge so munched my way through them instead. I was also alone most of the day which meant I couldn't snap at anyone!

Bronwyn , Andy and baby Tommy came to print their Save the Date cards for their wedding and stayed for tea. Tommy took my mind of it when others where smoking and the smell actually made me feel a little sick so not a bad experience but if smoking had taken place inside the house I may just have pleaded for one. Clearly I need to stay away from others at the moment until the will power is stronger. My dad reckons it would be a sin to give in now as I am almost through the worst of it, hope he is right! But am glad I opted for the e cig as a means of nicotine replacement as I don't feel like I am missing it as much.

2 days, 2 hours  40 minutes and 8 seconds smoke free! £14 saved!

Quitting

I love smoking, I won't deny that. But recently I had been toying with the idea that giving up was the right thing to do. Yes there are the health benefits of giving up and of course the cost but I know I will miss the social side of being with friends who also smoke and the craic that inevitably follows!
On Thursday I decided that once my current pack was empty there would be no more and at 18.00 I smoked hopefully my last one ever.
I downloaded an nhs app which tells me how long I have been off cigarettes and the amount of money I have saved and armed with a e cig the battle began.
Day 1 was okay, I was under no stress and had virtually no cravings as the replacement treatment was working well.
The first hurdle was going out with hubby for a meal and a few glasses of wine, normally when I crave the most. However he was very supportive and I managed to avoid temptation.
I know there will be times it won't be easy but with the support of my friends and family I will get there!