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I'm gonna try to get some room darkening blinds that are on the adjustable spring rods with a piece on the side to screw it into place. No screws or brackets. One room at a time.
 
I'm gonna try to get some room darkening blinds that are on the adjustable spring rods with a piece on the side to screw it into place. No screws or brackets. One room at a time.
What??? I will (hopefully) be addressing window coverings in the next six months. Would you mind sending a link or pic of those blinds, please?
 
Here it is still February (barely) and the weather is more like Spring. High in the 60F's. So, I spoke with the guy who has done so much of the work on this house. There is still some work to be done on the eaves, fascias, etc., and I want one area of the roof to be extended to prevent snow accumulation against the wall below. He said he can probably get to it in the next week or so and is coming over today to measure and see what materials will be needed.

This was planned to be done this summer but right now he has some time and the weather seems to be cooperating so let's get to it.

If he can schedule it, we will also do the fencing, and maybe the bridge crossing the creek. Fingers crossed, although this may be hard on the budget to do it sooner than originally planned, but I am concerned he may get a job away from here and then what will I do??? Let's just get it done; I will figure out the finances.
 
Finally stopped procrastinating and removed the blinds over the kitchen window, without breaking the mounting clips, laid them in the bathtub, sprayed them with 409 cleaner, scrubbed with a brush and rehung them. Wow! I knew they needed cleaning but just Wow! They look brand new.
 
At age 46, 120#, I quit smoking, gained 78# over the next two years; then diabetes raised its ugly head. Joined Weight Watchers and that helped me get down to a healthy weight, along with smoking again. But no diabetes! They tell you "you may gain a little weight, 5-10#". Bull. And even after two years, I still had the cravings. They never stopped. (I have been smoking for 58 years.)

Quit for four months for a surgery, gained ten pounds. Started again after healing from the surgery, lost five pounds of it and held there until October, 2023, when I decided to quit smoking again. THIS time I was determined not to gain weight and be faced with diabetes; diabetes scares me much more than anything smoking can do. So out came the food scale, measuring cups/spoons, nutrition guides, etc. Limited myself to 1,000-1200 kcal/day. When I started, weight was 135#. Actually lost weight, to 113#, which was way too much. And started smoking again at Quit Day 70, after completely losing it and destroying some solar lights outside and did some damage to the fence with a galvanized steel pipe.

The medical community does absolutely nothing to help. Chantix turned me into a monster. Tried meditation, exercise, music, accupuncture, massage, hypnosis, the state quit-line program. I can recite in my sleep "Set a quit date; tell friends and family so they will support you (no, they won't); use nicotine replacements (here, have some of the drug to which you are addicted); chew gum; stay busy" blah blah blah. NONE of that helps! In fact, some of it actually worked against me. Tell someone and then when you slip up and smoke, they will smear your face in that failure.

The only thing that worked to help control the mood swings the first time I quit was ativan, an anti-anxiety drug that is very addictive. I don't want to do that again and possibly exchange one addiction for another. No thank you. Nothing helps with the extreme anxiety and anger brought on by quitting. I am thankful that I live alone.

So, today is Day 1 of another quit attempt. Five hours since my last cigarette, nico patch in place. The food scale etc is out on the counter. I do have two more pounds to lose from the last couple of weeks of eating the wrong things. Then back to normal-for-me meals, just to maintain.

I can already feel my heart rate increasing and the anxiety building as I sit here typing this. In reading over this for typos, etc., parts of it are confusing so now, enter the brain fog. Not sure if it's worth it. Because as so many say, it doesn't get better after a week or two. It didn't get better after two years! And I'm not sure I have the strength to go through this much suffering at this time in my life.
Here Love, pounder this....
Cigarette smoking causes significant, long-term damage to mitochondria—the energy-producing powerhouses of cells—by inducing severe oxidative stress, DNA damage, and structural fragmentation. This dysfunction drives inflammation, reduces ATP production, and contributes to diseases like COPD, cardiovascular issues, and atherosclerosis.
ScienceDirect.com +3 Google Search

Few things are more important than our mitochondria, and they are related to diabetes.

Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles, often called the "powerhouses of the cell" that generate over 90% of the chemical energy (ATP) needed to fuel biochemical reactions in eukaryotic cells. Found in the cytoplasm, they are essential for metabolism, cell death (apoptosis), and calcium storage. They contain their own DNA, inherited only from the mother.
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) +7 Google Search

Make friends with your mitochondria. Feed it CoQ 10 and Alpha-lipoic acid. Consider using a multiple vitamin along with healthy eating, exercise, and a good night's sleep.

I had a doctor who would say, " Okay, let's see how much damage the smoking did, before she sent me to get tested. I had no idea how much long-term damage smoking could do.

For me, it helps to think of my mitochondria as a pet I need to care for. If I take good care of it, it will take good care of me. Health problems motivate me to do the right things.
 
Despite all the damage my body has endured from cigarettes I wish I could smoke. I don’t but I don’t think a day passes without the desire.
 
I once worked in an addiction unit with drinkers and smokers - equal billing imo? - but the chemistry of addiction to any substance was a fascinating journey! - stopped fags years ago but occasional cigar or pipe which I rationalize as less dangerous than cigs??
 
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