I've not been feeling very well this week so I haven't been online as much. A few things have changed though. We rented vendor space at Blue Lagoon in Sylvan Beach. We will have this spot on week-ends thru Labor Day. Traffic last week-end was pretty good. This was the first time this was tried by the owners. The weather was good and people were out enjoying the beach. We made some contacts and had some sales, so time will tell. Relisted some items on etsy this afternoon and BANG!!! We had a sale of a relisted item. A fast return on our .20 cent investment. I wish it happened like that all the time.

Sale

This simple little 4 letter word has a tremendous effect on society. It seems like people just jump at the word. They don't really need to buy anything, but it's a sale! Off they go to spend the day at the mall. Once they get there, they can't find the right color or size. Then they find out that they can't get a raincheck. Now they are ticked off and head to the food court to relax. Who ever relaxed at the food court. Kids crying, others yelling and running around. All this fun makes me want to run right over to the mall right now! OH BOY!! For a quieter time at a sale, check out my etsy shop. All framed prints are on sale until 6/14. Go to OldTimeCountryCrafts.etsy.com and have a look around.

I Stumbled

I'm disappointed with myself. I didn't stay strong in my commitment. I gave in to Nic yesterday and had a cigarette. I have not lost the battle against smoking, but it is step backwards. I will beat this. So it's off on day 3 in my battle with nicotine.

48 Hours and Counting

Well it's off on day 3 of this smokeless adventure. I really think it's the habit that is the hardest to break, not the addiction. My habits tell me it's time for a smoke more than mine physical need for nicotine. Driving should be done with a cigarette. Meals taste better with a cigarette. All the things that I always did with a cigarette now seem different without one. But it's the habit of having one that makes me want one. My need for nicotine doesn't seem to be as great as my need to hold a cigarette between my fingers. On my way , 48 hours and counting.

24 Hours Later

It's been 24 hours since my last cigarette and so far ,so good. Good old Nic-O-Tine is right here waiting , teasing, and laughing at me. Just one puff, what can it hurt? Just one will take the edge off. I've heard, said, and made enough of those excuses in the past 33 years. Now it's time to just face myself and face life without nicotine. To be honest, I don't feel a real urge to have a smoke,but I find myself reaching for one just out of habit. So now it becomes mind over matter. I don't mind so nicotine doesn't matter. I refuse to be controlled anymore.

Competition; Nic and I

Once again, today I will try to beat an old nemesis. The battle will be fought on three fronts. Physical, emotional, and psychological . My nemesis, actually my old friend Nic, is a lazy little bum. Nic doesn't do anything but get you to do it all. I don't need a boss anymore. So much for the emotional battle. As for the physical battle, I'm just going to step on Nic and rub Nic in the dirt. Done deal. Just a spot on the ground. Right where Nic deserves to be, rubbed out. The psychological part may prove to be the tough fight. Nic has a hold on me, sometimes almost to the point of controlling me. When I put it that way, I guess I would be Nic's dog on a leash. Looking at Nic like this makes me think of a past employer. Irv was a big man, 6' 4" and over 300lbs. He used to laugh at me. He would say," Jay, you argue with me over the way we should do something and not be afraid at all. But when Nic speaks, the rest of the world stops. You have to listen to Nic!" Irv didn't like Nic at all, and with good reason. Nic interupted the work place and wasted time. More important though, Nic wasted money. I doesn't walk so I carried Nic around. When Nic called for my attention, I was there. But no more of this nonsense. Nic can't control me anymore. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I have smoked for 33 years but I am done with Nic-O -Tine.

Facts of Life

Is there anything out there that doesn't have an effect on our lives? We do create some of our own problems, that are ours alone, but many of life's problems are shared by all of us at one time or another. We all face growing older with it's multitude of changes and as far as I know, there is no fountain of youth. Oh how I miss the hair on the top of my head, and hate the hair in my ears. We all face money problems of one kind or another at some point in our lives. We have to adjust to the problem or fight a losing battle against a system with no mercy. Our health is our one solitary battle. Everybody is a little different. Symptoms are hidden so we don't even know we have them.The cure isn't always 100% and isn't always easy.The facts of life are not always fun facts.