We all buy the groceries we need to survive, when is the last time you bought yourself a boquet of flowers...sounds nice doesn't it?

Good one, Shell. I hate to shop, and just went yesterday, but what I will do, is go out and pick a bouquet of the camillias growing in my yard and put them on my dining room table. They may not smell much, but they sure are pretty, and I'M WORTH IT!

I love buying fresh tulips. But since I already have some from a few days ago, I bought some FRESH RASPBERRIES from whole foods. They were 5.99 but I enjoyed every last one of them! Happy friday!

Good one, Tikka. I don't know who suggested it on here, probably several people but Sugar Free LifeSavers are such a treat. Take me back to my childhood. They literally ARE lifesavers to me! Also, I vacuumed and Febrezed my car today, and luv, luv, luv the way it smells. Symbolic in a way of my cleaner, fresher lungs and overall health. Keep thinking of rewards, I'm lovin' it!

Washing and changing your sheets even though it isn't wash sheet day....they just smell so fresh and cozy and I'm worth more than once a week if I feel like it.

Let's keep this going! I need more great ideas! ;)
Just got done reading a yummy new design magazine in bed with my coffee and some good jazz playing. Gotta love Saturday mornings! What else guys?
I'm planning to buy some new face cream for my face (duh)- but that's another $$ reward. Ah well, it's day 12 and I deserve it.

This isn't a reward but...I just noticed my hair smells like wonderful shampoo from yesterday! I can really really smell! Yahoo!

Bump! Keep this going, guys, it's SO important. I know one: going "shopping" in a smell good store. Really, we have a store called "Smell Goodies". They have candles, lotions, soaps, etc. You don't have to buy, just SMELL everything. A Hall-mark store would serve the purpose. This store I'm talking about always has SOMETHING on sale, too! I think I'll go by there sometime this week...

I'm a music junkie and still buy a couple of new cd's every month...it's a whole lot cheaper than smoking and last a lot longer too.

The other day, I rolled down the window in my car (it's nice here in Arkansas for the MOMENT) and stuck my head out and BREATHED!

Tikka, rethink your definition of rewards, my friend. Your hair smells wonderful and you can smell. You got two rewards right there. :)

A lady once said that her grandchild told her that she smelled nice now, or something to that effect. She said it was the best reward she could ever get.

Rewards are where you find them. Quitting gives us so many. We just need to learn to recognize them.

Shevie
Quit May, 2005

My son will drink out of the same bottled water as me now, reason....."you don't smoke mom" thanks Shevie, many times it's the smallest thing that's the biggest reward!

So true, Shevie. I recognized how I can now ride for long periods of time in a car without needing to fire up, or pull over if I'm riding with non-smokers! Also, noticed how I can walk and not get nearly as winded as before. I climbed an observation tower this weekend, and was able to jog up it. The same tower a few months back I couldn't walk up without huffing and puffing! I think I will take another nice, long walk this weekend on my timberland. Just me and the dog. See how far I get without needing a break. Also, there's a bunch of hills, so I'll see how much easier it is!

Your're right shevie, thanks for reminder. In weight watchers we used to call them NSV's (non scale victories e.g. "You look great!" Or "wow my pants fit!") but now I like to call them NSV's (non smoking victories). My latest would be .....not getting ansty at the end of a meeting today and....let's see...being able to sleep later this morning cuase I didn't need to suck down five cigs before going off to work. Ahhh wonderful sleeeeeep. :) Wish I could have that Matt Damon dream again...

Ok, as a mental health therapist I can see with some degree of certainty that I am for the most part sane, although I'm probably not completely objective. Last night I found my last quit survival kit. I had a blast! This is all cheap stuff, but keeps your hands and/or mouth busy. My favorite: BLOWING BUBBLES! It was symbolic in a way, like now I'm exhaling "prettiness" instead of ugliness. Plus, it's just downright fun. Try it! Also, rediscovered the joy of Silly Putty and modeling clay, which gets more pliable the harder you work it. It starts out stiff and becomes quite malleable, and retains your body heat for a long time. Very rewarding. I also re-discovered a tranquility stone (smooth, cool, flat rock that fits perfectly in my hand - rub repeatedly with thumb until calmer). In the South, we also have buckeyes that are a sort of nut that gets smoother and shinier (from your skin oil) the longer you carry it in your pocket and rub it. My grandfather carried one for years. I had a great time, and I hope this inspires ya'll to keep rewarding yourselves. You're doing GREAT thing and deserve as many as you can come up with!