Nick and Dan's

Last October,
I was on my way home from dance
when a suicidal raccoon on steroids
decided to take on my van.

The raccoon lost,
but my van was injured.

Here's a closer view.
It's not very clear, but believe it or not I only had ONE picture of my van.
And this is it.

So bear with me.


And yes, that is duct tape.
The broken piece would flap up and hit the side of my van
if I went faster than 100kms,
which I usually do.

Well, after a long drawn out affair,
it's finally finished.

And like a dork I am,
I didn't take pictures in the sunlight.

I just went out now.

It's the lack of nicotine brain fog.

Looks better, no?

My van is whole again!!

And get this.

The shined it.

It's shiny.

And cleaner than it's been since I moved to Manley.

And the inside?

It's clean too.

They must have some sort of industrial vaccuum
'cause they even got the wood chips out of the trunk.
And the food ground into the carpet and seats.

The trunk.

They cleaned the trunk.

I haven't been this impressed with a company in a looooong time.

And that's not all.

They fixed the outside, washed and waxed it.
They cleaned the inside, and vacuumed it.
And when I went I was all done and ready to leave,
he hands me this.

"In appreciation for my business."

It's made out of wood.

How cool is that?

So, if you ever have body work that needs to be done,
I highly recommend Nick and Dan's Collision in Stratford.

Non-Smoker Update
Driven to Quit Challenge


This morning when I woke up I didn't even want to get out of bed,
'cause I knew I couldn't smoke.

How sad is that?

But I did get out of bed.

I had Quin pour everyone a bowl of cereal,
so they would leave me alone.

After checking my e-mail,
I tried to get busy.

But I was in a fog.
And jittery.
And had a splitting head ache to end all head aches.

So I kicked the kids outside in the sunshine,
and I went on a butt hunt.

I checked everywhere.
Under the desk,
under chairs
in corners,
in places where I'd throw half a cig.

Nothing.

I was way too thorough the night before the 1st.

I know me.

I knew I'd be butt hunting.


So I sat down, put my splitting head in my hands,
and cried.

I'm not a crier.


But I was FED UP.

I don't understand why this is so hard for me.
People quit all the time.
Why do I always fail?

I have good self discipline.


I was anorexic as a young teenager,
I went without FOOD!!

I used to be a coffee addict,
and go through two whole pots a day myself.

I quit that cold turkey.

Why can I not quit smoking?


I cursed the first time I ever put one of those evil things to my lips.

I sat and tried to calm myself.

Tried to stop my hands from shaking and my head from pounding.



Then I thought of something.


And I went rushing to the bathroom cupboard.

And squealed with joy.

Over what?







The Patch.




I had bought some ages ago,
and had some left.


I peeled and stuck as fast as I could,
and I relaxed as I felt the nicotine enter my system.

My head stopped pounding,
and my hands stopped shaking,
and I was actually able to be productive today.


So, what does this mean?

Well, as far as the competition goes,
it's perfectly okay.

You are allowed to use The Patch, Nicorettes,
or any other stop smoking aid.


I, however, am not happy.

I wanted to do it cold turkey.

'Cause I know I'm prolonging the agony.

Eventually I have to go without the nicotine.

I can't stay on the patch for the rest of my life.







Or can I?





No, no, just kidding.

I know for me, it's not the "habit" part of smoking.

I can change my habits pretty easy.

It's the physical addiction.


So, one step forward, two steps back.

I didn't buy a pack today,
even though I had an opportunity when I stopped for gas.

But I deliberately chose a pay at pump station,
'cause I am weak.


So, the battle goes on.