Two months not smoking

It wasn't long ago that I wrote in this space that I was quitting smoking. I made the decision as part of a New Year's resolution.

I am glad to say I think I have done it. Today marks an important date: It has been since Jan. 21 that I had my last cigarette. Today marks two months, and I can tell the difference.

Yes, I have put on about 6 pounds, but that seems to have leveled off. I went on a diet prior to this quit-smoking effort, and lost 26 pounds. So I still am ahead of the game as far as the weight goes.

In my blog in January, I said the six-week program was through the Humility of Mary Health Partners. I did exactly what they said to do, and it worked. The people there were so nice and understanding. The counselor -- I attended five group counseling sessions, one a week -- was a former smoker and could relate to the problems discussed by the group.

Now, I'm adding up the savings. At a pack a day, at $4 a day and going up, in a 30-day month, I've got an extra $120 per month in my pocket. And, I feel a lot better.