What a wonderful Friday!

Today I had the pleasure of driving my long commute with the convertible top down.

Blue skies with thin whispy clouds in front of the sun, easy traffic, Friday.

Nice.

One of the many reasons I was able to enjoy this ride today is because I have been smoke- and nicotine-free for more than 5 years now.

No looking back. No worries about smoking or pangs of addiction or habit. They're gone. The nicotine monster is not in our home.

Now, if the tobacco industry would stop wrapping cigars up in pretty fruity colorful packaging and selling them as "alternatives", the world would have less nicotine monsters.

Weight? Hovering around the US-recommended BMI... just off by about three pounds.

Cool.

Went on a trip across the pond. Pub food?

I'm happy to say that I'm still healthy - I've been smoke-free for more than 5 years now.

Years ago, I would have never thought it felt this good (and is so easy) to not smoke. Wow. What a wonder.

We went across the pond this past June 2012. We spend 8 glorious days driving around the south end of the UK, from Wales to The North of England, to the Channel shores.

Didn't ever even think about smoking. Awesome!

The one thing? my weight inflated about 8 pounds during that vacation though. The restaurants weren't generally open after we went on our roundabout drives - so we generally resorted to eating at pubs. Pub food, while home-style and very filling, isn't really the best stuff in the world for weight control.

Since back in the States? I've almost lost half the gain.

Smoke free and glad to be free!

Not smoking isn't so bad. Eating better isn't either...

I'm still smober (smoke-free) after all this time. I don't miss it any more.

In fact, I feel sad when I walk by the outside of a building and smell and see smokers congregated. I wish they could feel how good it is not to smoke...

These days, my weight is in control. I am still under the US standard BMI and weight.

You know what, though? Chocolate turnovers from Arby's are going to be the hardest thing to fight for long-term weight control. Sigh.

Still going strong. Life is good and kind

I'm still smoke free after all this time. I really don't want to smoke or use nicotine in any way.

It helps that I live in an environment that is smoke-free. I have so many reasons for which to live longer. I have a wonderful family... all of them are awesome.

My weight is still under control, although I've gone upwards from my 203 figure to about 208 these days. Dessert is not my friend.

Weight and nicotine: same H*ll, different devil.

At the moment, and for the forseeable future, neither of them owns any piece of me!