Smoking is one of the more addictive things there is, and there's certainly anecdotal evidence that it's harder to quit than alcohol or heroin. It contributed to my father's really ugly death at 68, though, and I wouldn't wish his last years on any of you. I didn't even wish his last years on him, and he was not nice person.

STILL NO EMAIL. Does she just want to screw with my head, by saying she'll go out with me, but then not talking to me? WAAAAAH! Have called, left message on voice mail. Now to be tortured by TWO electronic devices, email AND cellphone, not ringing.

YAYAYAYAY RAQUEL! Also, v. amused by Mr. Raquel. Atomic mass units of baby? Hee!! And I suspect that there's some stories to be had, of giving birth in a foriegn land...

The fact that they ALL haven't died from cheese-filled arteries is a freaking miracle, I tell you what

Mmm, cheeese....

How about...DADD: "Dads in Denial about Diet"?

Ooh, I'm in--my dad has a belly so big he's looked like he's 9 months pregnant for the past 20 years. He's got diabetes and high blood pressure. And he still won't exercise, and loves him a bowl of butter pecan. My mom and siblings and I figure he's going to keel over one of these days--we're kinda hoping it's quick, rather than long drawn out failures and shit.

The man ate bacon every morning and loved sausage gravy and biscuits with fried eggs and fried apples

Ooh. Now that sounds yummy!!

got a prize in the Grilled Cheese International that Kristin posted about

mmmm, Grilled Cheese. (I think there should be a lot of gratuitous cheese mentions, in my post. Just because Cheese is Good)

She says he's (Aidan) going to be brilliant.

Aww, Deena. That's good, at least! So sorry you have to keep having shit happen!

I think my sister's still not smoking. She quit around Christmas. I don't nag her about it because I know that mother nagging her about it just makes her try to be sneaky about it when she is smoking, but she went on the patch this time, which is good.

My brother smokes, but that's the least of his bad habits, and I'm not close enough to him for nagging to even cross my mind.

I'm an ex-smoker who would occasionally have a social/drinks cigarette, but probably won't go back to that post-baby.

And woot, vw! That's great -- and amazing. I know how incredibly, insanely stressful the past couple of years have been for you, and if any smoker on earth deserved a no-scolding pass on account of too much other shit to worry about right now, it'd have been you.

Thank you and thank you. Quitting actually wasn't too difficult, which is surprising. Although, when things get tough it is one of the first things I turn to. Except, right now, my asthma is so bad that one little puff sends me hacking up a lung. So, smoking? Not in my best interest or very comfortable.

Two stories, though, 'cause I've always got a story or two. When I was public aid back in 1996, I got no cash. So, my parents gave me $20 a month for spending money. They called my therapist because they were concerned that I was spending my money on cigarettes. She's like, "Um...I think she has many other things you should be more worried about. We'll worry about the smoking later." Also, my therapist was a smoker, so...

My friend J is trying to stop smoking. I keep trying to tell her that I think that is the least of her problems right now. I mean, I totally support her quitting, but I'm not sure she should add the stress right now.

Oof. Poor J. The only thing I can think that might be good about her quitting now is that she has so much crap going on that's not totally under her control, it may be making her feel a little better to have one very concrete, specific, purely physical thing to wrestle with and gain control over.

In case anyone was wondering, I have the bestest roommate ever. She just made a very yummy dinner, and I am all nice and full.

What did you have for dinner? (I haven't eaten yet and I don't know what to make. I need ideas.)

Tortillas and beans...her specialty. It's a very yummy treat.

That sounds really good except I'm not big on beans. I do have chicken, tortillas, taco flavoring, cheese, salsa, um, that's it. I could make some really lean tacos. Or I could make some cream of chicken soup.

I'm not feeling very creative tonight.

eta: on a positive non-food related note - I've got Friday off of work for Good Friday - although I will have to figure out some seafood dish for that day - ooh, seafood enchiladas! Okay, so it is food related.

Hi, there. Trudy can't come to the computer right now, so I'm updating you under an assumed name.

She saw many more mountains and will soon have photos to share with all of you. She also met my personal trainer and has confirmed my theory that said tiny blonde female is actually Buffy Summers in disguise, though we saw no stakes. We are on our way to the grocery store to fetch the rest of the ingredients for corn and cheddar cheese chowder, which we will eat while watching Stargate: SG-1 episodes on DVD , from the comfy futon in the TV room.

We'll save you some soup.