LBJ's father used to say, "quitting smoking is easy, I've done it hundreds of times......."

That sounds like Dad.
The older daughter is the one who expressed a desire to live in Hawaii.

Yes, the day is fast approaching that I quit smoking. ARGH!
I mean Praise God!
That feels and sounds a lot better.

The Wunder Trip is completed.

It would seem I am the only one not suffering the effects of the flight home.
What a nightmare.
We left the Mauna Kea at 2PM local time and left for Honolulu at 5PM.
Then a 2.5 hour layover and 6hr flight to Salt Lake City. Arrival at 7AM local time.
Then an hour and a half layover to Denver.
Arrive home at 12PM local time Saturday.

Everyone is sleeping but me.
Maybe youngest daughter is awake but hibernating.

I do pretty well with time changes.
For almost my entire life, I have never used an alarm to wake me up.
I learned early that such a racket from an alarm clock would instantly ruin my day.

I can feel the time, whether day or night and it's based on local time wherever I am.
I can count on my two hands and maybe a few toes the number of times I have overslept and been late for something the last 40 years... all without an alarm clock.
It's an amazing gift.

I was sure when I got home that I would find the missing 3 pounds of Praise Break coffee that I buy from my church.
My wife had claimed that we packed them for our trip and they were stolen out of our luggage on the way to Hawaii.
She was right, someone stole them.

Hmmm, my bet is some baggage handler absconded with them thinking drugs were inside.
I hope he enjoyed his coffee.

As I said, all in all a very fine trip for me and everyone else.
However, and there is always a however in life, it's not easy being us.
Perhaps that is a good thing.

Oh, and as far as the photo with the balcony view and bars/railings I posted, it wasn't my fault.
I just simply didn't want to get up off the chaise lounge, that's all.
Nothing sinister, just general laziness.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
Unless we get run over by a bus, we all must hoe that row.

This thread has been and continues to be an incredible learning experience for me. Thank you for all of the time and effort you have put into it. Please continue.

May God bless you, lbj.

quote:

Originally posted by Cliff:
What Jim Said. I read this thread,I pray for you and your family, and am humbled by the strength and fortitude you show.

Thank you both for that.
I just never seem to be sure if anyone wishes to read about me and the journey anymore.
Your encouragement means a lot.

I could be viewed as quite narcissistic.
That might be true.
Then again, it is a rare event that I ever go back and reread anything I posted in this thread.
I just plod forward and do the best I can.

I am convinced we all do, though there seem to be stark differences among ourselves about what constitutes our best.
Don't we know that one. It's kind of self evident when looking around at folks.

Now, I am not saying I am an angel, but some peoples' best is really kind of poor.
It really is. Just look at the world today.
There are a lot of really bad bests out there in the hinterlands.

There was an interesting phenomena during this trip.
Despite having their own hotel rooms, the daughters were in our room with us a majority of the time.
It was a very good thing as in the past, they would want to be out on their own.
They didn't want us crimping their style.

Maybe I am over thinking this and it's all based on what I have told them in the past if one of thinks they didn't get something when the other did.
Me: "You can't get if you aren't around."

Eh, I think it's the former, not the latter.
I decided to make no limits on this vacation.
If you wanted it, buy it.
Want room service, order in.
You want to swim with the mantas, do it.
Want to go paddle boarding, get your butt out there.
Want a massage?
How about a facial too while while you're at it.
The same went for Mrs LBJ.
Women like that sort of thing.

Yeah, the daughters will remember this trip forever.
Funny thing though, both daughters mentioned during the Hawaii trip that they still think the Cedar Point trip last summer was pretty amazing.

If anyone was curious, I had exactly zero alcohol during the trip.
Hmmm, it's kind of that way when I'm at home too.
Nothing good comes from alcohol.
Well, maybe babies do, but other than that, I can't think of much else.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lbj,

Here is the whole family in Hawaii.
Mles is kind of big at 3.5 months old.
And yes, I am wearing a Gunsite logo Wilderness tactical belt.

I know you understand this.
All of your family should be very grateful for what each has given to each other. You all are very blessed.

Yes, I agree, we are quite blessed.

You and your wife made good looking girls
Glad you all had a good trip

Thanks but they didn't get their looks from me.

They are step, but they are still my daughters.
I got them at 16 and 18 years of age.
They are now 26 and 28.

BTW, youngest daughter on the left is changing her last name to mine soon.
We received the letter for the the FBI background things as well as the CBI one received yesterday.

These were the first steps in the process and those are now completed.

I have skipped 2 cancer treatments to accomplish the Hawaii trip. The timing was odd.
I go in Friday to resume things... at 7AM no less. Argh!

I think it was worth it though.

People tell me I look pretty good in the photo, though I am not so sure.
I felt like it was a bit difficult to keep up with things during the trip.
Now that I am home, I feel somewhat better, routine things help and I am back in my routine.

I began my daily walks again last night and have plenty of energy to what I do in normal life.
Vacation life and the running around showed me I have a ways to go.

But hey, I am better than I was last year at this time.

I was doing some reading on the net last night regarding my faith.
Man there are a lot of haters out there regarding my chosen path.
I gotta quit reading that stuff. I really need to stay away from such.
Everyone thinks they are going to heaven I guess.
Me? I am not so sure and that is probably a good thing to think that way.
It seems to me that anymore, all you need do is go to church once a week, continue like you were before all week and everything is fine until the next Sunday. Maybe that's just the way I felt and it's not true for others.
Geez, that's why I left my old denomination in the first place.
I am of a mind that if one thinks one is going to heaven, you probably are not.
But what do I know.

I am working to change myself.
I no longer think in F bombs and slip up once a day uttering some sort of curse word. Fortunately I do catch myself.
I am told my foul language is down something like 95%.
I didn't realize I had gotten so bad.
Alcohol is a thing of the past, though I never really was a drinker.
Next up is cigarettes, and this will be tough I think.
I mean, 48 years and never once wanted to quit?
Yes, it's true.

I have a lot of improvement to go in my life, I doubt I will ever be finished no matter my time frame.
Still I find the effort worthwhile.
I had 62 years on the planet doing things my way, it's time for a change.

lbj:

I for one remain fascinated/instructed/humbled/impressed/invigorated/ by your journey. Your grace in sharing and courage to do such is a welcomed demonstration of strength of spirit.

At times I felt like an onlooker, other times I strive to avoid becoming a 'participant'.

Yet I appreciate your insights and commentary in both the challenges of daily life and your spiritual quest.

At 70++ I've never once had any interest in cigarettes. I don't even wonder what 'secret pleasure' I may have missed because of that.
Once I was surprised by something guiding me: a friend in a wheel chair asked if I would pick up a few grocery items. He included 'cigarettes' in the list. At the store the conflict between getting them & not was suddenly right there in my face.

I returned with the items without the contraband, and remarked to my friend, that I just could not bring myself to purchase them, never having done so and not wanting to start. A few months later he revealed that incident had triggered his actually being moved away from his own habit. That was years ago now and he remains a 'former smoker'.

Cheers in your efforts.

quote:

I was sure when I got home that I would find the missing 3 pounds of Praise Break coffee that I buy from my church.
My wife had claimed that we packed them for our trip and they were stolen out of our luggage on the way to Hawaii.
She was right, someone stole them.

Confiscated by the local authorities, who are of course funded by the local Kona Coffee Growers association, can't have you bringing in stateside coffee and not spreading funds to the local growers....

Sounds like you guys had a great time, glad you went the condo route, it's much better IMHO than a hotel for stays in HI. Family looks great, and you look quite well in the image, good luck with stopping smoking, if you want it you'll get it... Thats an obvious trait you possess...

Such a great family photo. Beautiful too. Even the tall one!

Glad you went and had a great time.

Seeing it made my day.

What a blessing the Lord provided you all!

What a cutie mr chunk is

Mr. Chunk is right.
Mom complains she never has enough milk for him.
Based on the photo, I think she's wrong.

I did a lot of babysitting while in Hawaii.
One time he threw a crying fit that was non stop.
I even changed a diaper during one of his fits.
I did a good job too, despite the uncooperative grandson at the time.

The time spent with him was amazing, never thought I would experience such.

Just a B-E-A-Utiful family photo, sir. BLESSINGS to you all!!!

I had decided to quit smoking starting October 1st. However, I shelved that idea.

I was exercising last night and praying as usual when I was told He would help me.
I took that to mean I would get help if I quit now, but that I would be on my own if I waited until October 1st.

I could not remember the last cigarette I had smoked prior to my exercise, then I added in the help I was going to get and Presto! I quit when I walked into my house last night.
Not remembering the last cigarette I smoked I think will help. There was no "final" cigarette.

Things are a little tough this morning, but so far not as tough as I thought it might be given the last 48 years.

I am going cold turkey, no patches or gum.
I am confident of success.

My older daughter who lives with us still smokes and my wife does too, but still, I know I can do this.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
My older daughter who lives with us still smokes and my wife does too, but still, I know I can do this.

You want to leave a legacy.....get them on-board. You are more likely to succeed outside the influence, and with family support. Seems like a win-win to me?

They're not ready.
There isn't much I can do.

Based on your posts and the little I know of you, you can and will stop smoking.

I believe in you.

One day at a time brother.

Cheers~