Hello from a newbie

Hi, I'm going by zebra girl. I'm 40, and I'm five days off cigarettes and feeling the drop. I have been smoking for the past 18 months after a 6 year hiatus--started by pregnancy and then simply maintained until one night in New York at a party. I smoked one Marlboro Light and then a second. And just a few days later bought a pack. I can't believe I got back into it. I can still remember being an nonsmoking smoker for those 6 years, and I want to return to that place. It made sense, and it was lovely. I remember feeling pain and sadness and knowing that it was all part of the human experience, worth experiencing.I have one smoker in my life,quit smoking now, a woman who helps me clean my house. We have a close friendship, and I've told her I'll be quitting so can't do the coffee/cigarette thing with her when she comes on wednesday. I can't tell her not to come b/c she needs the money. I can arrange to be out,stop smoking, but I'll miss talking with her. That's the big obstacle.I've got a rough road ahead. The first time, I had my daughter's health to put first. This time I'm putting mine first, and for some reason it's more challenging . . I'm happy to have found this discussion list. Thanks.Zebragirl