How We Found
Blairsville
How we came to find Blairsville
BOB
In that moment of dispair God led me to Blairsville.
FONZI
You (Bob) told me about it!
MIKE R
I don't really remember exactly how I found this wonderful place.
RITA
He (Bob) brought me here
TAMI
I sincerely hope that it was a higher power that made sure I got
here and made sure I stayed here
LITLESTARR
I would say yes, God did direct me, after all I had asked Him
for help.
VICKIE
YES....I think God...lead me this way
LISA
I did a search on zyban before Xmas...and stumbled upon Blairsville.
LUANNE
I stumbled across the site......looked and listened for a few
days before my first post.
ANNIE
serfed the net re:zyban,....and this board was in the top 10 hits.
TOMMYBOY
Towards the middle of the month of Nov. 1998, I had decided that
I was down to two choices
(1) DIE or (2) QUIT SMOKING!!
I was at the point in my life where I had smoked some 40+ years,(about
511,350 stinking cigarettes + a few thousand cigars and a lot
of pipe tobacco) and was having those coughing fits where the
only way I started breathing again was when I passed out from
lack of oxygen (coughing fits were occuring almost daily) .
I had already attempted quite a few half-hearted quits (the longest
lasting was 3 1/2 weeks before I tore the patch off and started
smoking again!) .
I saw an advertisement one day on television for Zyban and wanted
to find out more about it. I went to my search engine (YAHOO!)
and typed in those magical words "quitting smoking resources".
I posted a request for information about Zyban and if anybody
on the board at that time had any experience with it. I left and
came back about an hour later to see if anybody had answered my
post... well I was about bowled over as there were about ten or
twelve responses (ALL POSITIVE!!
I followed their advise and visited my doctor and got my first
prescription for 3 months supply of Wellbutrin, went and had it
filled at the drug store and picked up my first box of Nicoderm
CQ and set my quit date for the 1st of December, 1998. I started
taking the 3 sample Zyban caps the next morning, snuffed the last
cigarette out at 6:45pm 11/30/98 and applied the Nicoderm CQ patch
the following morning and the rest is history...
The RESOLVE to quit, through PRAYER
The short term AID from the WELLBUTRIN & NICODERM CQ
THE CONSTANT AND CONTINUING LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM YOU WONDERFUL
PEOPLE HERE AT
BLAIRSVILLE WHOM I OWE MY QUIT AND MY LIFE TO!!!
CINDY
PETRASIC
I thought about searching for help and God sent me to this site.
JERRY
I was back at search engine and something or someone urged me
to try this place. The rest they say is history.
KATHYG
I did a search for quit smoking support and Yahoo said this was
the number 1 site.
MIKIE
I too was researching Zyban, and I found the front poarch
TED
PRINGLE
I was in Duncan on Vancouver Island a couple of months ago and
ran into an old friend from Cobble Hill. He told me about it then
sent me the page.
JANET CATLIN
Surfing, desperately, looking for help with this addiction
LINDA6f
I did a search on 'effects of quitting smoking' and this was one
of the links that came up on it - I didn't try any of the other
links, I spent most of the day looking at this one.
OLD~CINDY
Gosh.......it is almost a year for me.........I can hardly believe
it!! I too....., believe that God lead me to this site.......I
prayed to him desperately and I ended up at this site!!!!!!!!
I don't even remember how it all happened......or what my first
post was even about! It was a good week or so in to my quit when
I first found this site.......and I was the most delirious, spacey,
forgetful, sleepy, fog~brained person on the planet earth! And
that is NO joke!! All I know is.......the people here opened their
hearts and arms to me.........and helped me through the difficult
times of this journey........!!!!!!
I love you all!!!!!
PAMELAK
Had already decided to quit. At work they passed around a small
newsletter called "Safety and the Supervisor. On the back
page was a note on personal safety and they listed this site,
along with a couple of others.
MARKS
I subscribe to Tipworld and one of the categories you can get
automatically emailed to you is "Cool Site of the Day".
I got it about a year ago and stored it away in my Personal Email.
When I was serious about quitting, I remembered it and entered...I
never came out!!
HEATHER-DAWN
Over 13 months ago I came to Blairsville and life has never been
the same since...Its been better! I wanted to quit smoking so
bad but was hopelessly addicted and in all honesty I never believed
I could quit. The second day I almost lost my quit, I spent a
good part of that time in prayer desperatly seeking Gods help.
I later broke down crying with my mom, a person who is a total
techno phobe and she said...Heather, there must be something on
that internet thing. I was a bit doubtful, but I turned on the
puter did a search and the first thing up was Blairsville and
the rest has been wonderful history. I'm smoke free and in the
process I made friendships that are more precious than silver.
I thank God each day for speaking through my mom, and answering
my prayer in such an effective manner. Its because of his grace
and the people at Blairsville that I can proudly say...I've been
quit for over 13 months and I will never smoke again.!
NICKI
I was doing a search on "quit smoking" and this was
the first site that came up. I never did check out any of the
other sites, I've been here ever since! I also believe that God
brought me here. Just wanted to include that.
DEE132
(Denise)
My husband and I had set a quit date. A few days before my quit
date I started to surf the net. Blairsville was one of the sites
that I really liked but I had a hard time figuring out how the
BB worked. I think God brought me here, I really do and that somehow
he gave me the patience to figure out how to read all these postings.
JOANNE
The doom and gloom was scary, didnt think I was going to make
it. I kept praying and praying, because of serious health problems
I needed to keep my quit. I too believe God led me to Blairsville.
It was on the second or third day of my "cold turkey"
quit...I was here at my puter trying to keep busy and typed the
words "quit smoking" in my browser and PRESTO...Blairsville
it was. ; ) I spent many days here since, probably more than most
people would, but I did what I needed to do. My new found addiction
was simply awesome...the human spirit at its best. ; ) I thank
God for the support and awesome education on quitting, he sent
me to Blairsville. Thank you God, thank you Blairsville. : )
DONNA
KERRICK
My GUARDIAN ANGEL led me here...Thank God for Angels :-)
STEPHANIE
I was desperate to quit last March, did a search on 'Quit smoking',
this was my second port of call, the others never got a look in!!
I will now try again.
MIKE R
I did a search on Excite for "quit smoking". I think
quitsmokingsupport.com was the third search result. The rest was
history! I
came here and never left. Now I'm an ex-smoker!
KATY
The Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel puts out a magazine/insert in its
Sunday edition. It gave this site high marks. Briefly looked at
others; this is the best. I really believe in angels, too
I
did a search on "quit smoking" on Metacrawler and it
led me here - Wow - you have no idea how the incentives I have
received from reading the postings - THANKS!!!!
ERIKA
I surfed the net looking for sites on quitting smoking, I entered
the main gate, read the complete site and figured I could go and
check out the message board. Well, here I am, still reading the
board, and occasionally posting, and most importantly still smokefree!!!
KATHY
W
I was doing a search on Zyban and came across Blairsville and
have been logging on ever since
DeniseNC
I did a search on support groups for quitting smoking. This was
the first place I went to, and this looks like where I am staying.
been here 1 hour and I feel remotivated to not smoke. It has only
been 3 days 10 hours but hopefully it will end up being forever
Dharma
I found Blairsville in a magazine that lists web sites...and what
a find it has been! For the first time in 23 years,I have not
had a single puff for 2 1/2 months.Thankyou Blairsville!!!
Love and Peace,Dharma
Mike
I had actually read about it in an article.
I can't remember if it was Time or what. They talked about people
quitting smoking, and the sites on the net that were popping up.
I just happened to try one of those sites for people to quit,
and it directed me to www.quitsmokingsupport.com
Been here ever since. My cyber family for life (even all the new
kids in town)!
Mike
11M, 2W
Sherry
Found address in Zyban booklet on quitting! 1Y 1M 1W 2D
MarkS
I subscribe to "Cool Site of the Day" where I get cool
websites emailed to me every day. QuitSmokingSupport.com was one
of the sites in one of my emails and has turned out to be the
COOLEST!! I got it about a year ago and saved it. I guess I should
have seriously considered it when I got it!!
Nonetheless, the payoff of getting this site has been priceless!
Dan
the Man
I just found it through a WEB search. I'm sure glad I did and
I have been recommending to as many folks as I can.
Shondra
I believe I went to Askjeeves.com, and asked something like "How
do I quit smoking." This was one of the sites listed. I came
here and knew that I was "home." For me, this site has
bridged the gap between the impossible and the possible.
That Jeeves guy sure knows what he's talking about! :-)
Love,
Shondra
Donald
entered a search...for, of all things...
quitting smoking support.
Blairsville added the "dot com" and a whole lot of love....
Charlene
I had been quit of not quite one day when I found Blairsville.
Shaking, crying, and feeling very alone I typed "quit smoking"
and ran a search. It took me to Blairsville and have been here
since. This is where I needed (and still need) to be
Wayne
W
Panic during first week: found several sites --
just read for first month, initial post was something like:
'One month and it's your fault -- all of you'
because it was Blairsville's fault that I made that month,
as it was subsequent months: put up residence here.
Still visited and read at other sites, but this became home.
nonnico
~ 3 yrs ago came across it thru MiningCo
Had met a lot of people at MiningCo during my first quit and got
directed here. This place wasn't NEAR this big. Then on this quit
I looked it up on a search. I'm so pleased to see how it has grown,
and SO appreciative of Blair for the hard work he must do for
this!
On my (actually I guess fourth since I slipped up there) maybe
3rd quit and first startover, sometimes barely hanging in there,
but determined with Two days, 11 hours, 32 minutes and 48 seconds.
24 cigarettes not smoked, saving $4.46. Life saved: 2 hours, 0
minutes.nonnico
JoanneM
about to cave in, desparate for help, my life seemingly falling
apart, I typed in "Quit Smoking Help!!!" into a search
engine - top of the list was Blairsville and my life was saved!
Thank you Blair, Blairsville and all its citizens!
George
F
I entered through the 'Front Porch'
some of you fogeys may remember the BB Blairsville called "the
Front Porch". Looking for someone to whine to, beaten and
brusied, Jonie was there in her rocker to invite me into Blairsville.
The rest is history. I still remember my first post in July 99
and the response was overwhelming. 9 months later, and 5 weeks
of smober time under my belt, its as good as ever! George F. and
Committee :)
Cody
I did a search on Yahoo last November on "quit smoking"
and Blair's resource page came up. It was a great find!
myrica67
(Sylvie)
Last fall, when I was conditionning myself to quit smoking, I
wanted to read up on the subject and looked up the Canadian Cancer
Society on the web... one site led to another and I ended up here
in Blairsville... There are many quit smoking sites out there,
but none are as dynamic and animated as this site!
Dick
Schaefer
I tried to quit quite a few months ago and I was introduced to
Blairsville at that time. I subscribed to the news letter. Blair
did not give up on me, he just kept sending me the news even though
I started smoking again. I have returned here now and forever
with a much better smoke free attitude. Over six weeks now. Thank
you very much....Dick
Curdy
Luck of the Irish brought me here! Actually, couldn't tell you
it was so long ago, over a year and a half ago, but I know after
the first quit when I only lasted less than a month I would need
to return because I knew this was the extra support I needed.
Searched for Blairsville. Rest is history. ---Curdy
Rob
I had quit smoking with the aid of Wellbutrin.I was soing searches
for info. about the medication.I the did a search for "Quit
Smoking" support and HERE I landed.I posted and got such
a nice positive response......I stayed and.....I'm still here
after 2 years of not smoking.THANK YOU,BLAIR!!!
Marianne
When I decided to quit, my roommate wanted to help. She bookmarked
a ton of pages for me to look at and this was the BEST one.
SteveO
It was the 2nd week of my umpteenth attempt and I knew I would
not make it with the same old low conviction level of past quits,
so I was freelancing the www in search of some inspiration...anything.
Lo & behold, I stumbled upon Blairsville
Kathy
E
I did a search under "Quit Smoking" and there was Blairville,
my Guardian Angel had a hand in it, for sure!!!!
Tammy
Well .. it happened like this :}
I belong to an e-mail group that were all expecting in May 2000.
There were 3 of us who smoked and were feeling pretty guilty about
doing so while being pregnant. One of the ladies on the list who
is a non-smoker had been doing some searching around and had come
across the web site and posted the address for us smokers to check
out. I hadn't seriously considered quitting yet ... but decided
to check out the site. Well I knew that this was the place for
me!! I saw all the support and caring that everyone passes on
and I have been here ever since.
D Marie
How I came to Blairsville.....I knew I had to quit if I knew what
was good for me. I bought the computer and was going to pay it
off with former cig money. I searched under quitting smoking (I
think) and that is how I found you, Blairsville. Even after all
this time quit (7M 2W)I am drawn back into this place of comfort,
wisdom and above all support!
Wende
I was at a point in my life where I thought I wanted to quit.
I wasn't "enjoying" it anymore. I went to yahoo and
entered quit smoking or something similar and this was the first
place I landed in. I had eight cigarettes left when I found the
message board. I sat and started posting and was overwhelmed by
the support. I surfed in at ten am and finished my last smoke
at 1:06 pm. Here I am four months later, healthier and happier
now that I have quit :)
Fran
I was just beginning the third week of my quit and although I
had made it past the worst part of the nicotine withdrawal I was
still miserable and couldn't seem to stop thinking about not smoking,,which
was almost as bad as not being able to stop thinking about smoking...Like
so many others have already said, I will always believe that God
must have led me to Blairsville that day because I just sat down
at the computer typed in stop smoking, and wound up here. Unfortunately,
I don't remember who wrote the first post I read, but I will never
forget the fact that it gave me chills because it was as if the
person had read my mind and wrote that post just for me. It was
such a relief to know that their was another person who had gone
through the same experience and had actually survived it...I will
always consider myself blessed to have found this place and all
the wonderful people who have done so much to help me in my struggle
against this terrible addition...
I did a search on Smoking to find out about Lobelia, an herb,
that I was using to help with my quit. Somehow, maybe by God's
hand, I ended up in Blairsville. Bob was waiting for me. It was
late at night, but he was there... He was the first person that
really showed a sincere interest in my quit. I'll probably be
staying in Blairsville for the rest of my life. :)
Jeremy
google.com
Rae
Annie and Pat brought me...screaming and dragging my heels...
:0)
Paul
About 1 or 2 days after I had started taking Welbutrin I was watching
the morning news on one of the Denver tv stations... They dedicate
one section of the newscast to good and/or interesting sites on
the net.. The bb was mentioned and for me the rest is a history
that started 4 January 1999
Jim
Thanks to Hotbot...typed in quit, smoking, and HELP on day 5...
Annie
I stumbled upon this wonderful town by searching for resources
to stop smoking..I liked what I saw and decided to move in. Prayers
and lots of tears and laughter kept me here....
Moneca
I was on a hypoglycemia mailing list and read that smoking aggravates
hypoglycemia. I was directed to Blair's mailing list and from
there I found this site. I started lurking on the board (a couple
of versions back) and the rest is history.
Maggie
I was about at day 3 and I was searching for info about quitting,
anything that would help me. God (and infoseek) pointed me toward
Blairsville. There was a survey at another website about smoking,
and some people on that bulliten board were pretty harsh about
smoking. I was quit for only about 3 days and feeling pretty vulnerable.
I looked at Blairsville and the tone was totally different. I
couldn't believe how nice everyone was. Still, I dodn't trust
it, I never talked to people online that I didn't actually know,
so I was very afraid to join in. After about three days of "lurking,
I made my first post, and I won Bob's "Squish 'em award"
hehe. I've been quit ever since
Thanks to God and Blairsville, 152 days without a puff!
NailBunny
On the day I quit smoking, I was driving my co-workers nuts talking
about how I quit, why I quit, how was I going to stay quit, etc
etc. One girl was telling me about how she quit ten years ago,
and told me about an 800 number that would give you quit-smoking
tips. She couldn't find the number, so she advised me to go online
and look for it. I did a search for "Quit smoking tips"
and this was the very first site I came to
LiasB
I found out that the cigarette I gave my older brother 4 years
ago at Magic Mountain in CA was the one that started him. He decided
to quit on the 20th and challenged me to be his quit buddy. Since
it was weeks away, I replied 'sure' without any conviction. Half
way through my first day, I knew I had to stay quit for his sake,
so I logged onto Excite, did a search on quit smoking tips, and
found you guys. Once I got here I realized that I wasn't quitting
for him, but I was quitting for me. I sat down, did all the stuff
I
should have done days before, and here I am 4 days later. Finally
making it on a quit I never planned. Go figure. I'm moving in!
John_F
I was looking around for quit smoking information on the Internet
last spring and discovered Blairsville late one night around 1:00am.
I was impressed and put it into my favorites. I came back from
time to time just to see how things were going since I wanted
to quit smoking really bad but didn't seem to know how...
Lurking and reading the posts for all that time got the better
of me - so I quit and moved in... (the best thing I ever did!)
Wrengirl
On Day 4 of my quit, I was looking online for quit smoking information
- anything to help me get through those rough days.. and boom,
there you all were.. Shining like a bright light during a black
out.. I was home.
Anne S
I got sick and tired of being sick and tired of smoking.. Naturally,
searched for any site related to "stop smoking" I firmly
believe God or my guadian angel-(my dad) helped me along the way..
I wish I would have found it a lot sooner though.But better late
then never.. I guess it was just my time!!!!! I wish more knew
about Blairsville.Its a life saver!!!!!!!!!!
Tess
about 6 weeks into a quit in December 1999. The quit didn't last
but the
memory of the love and magic in Blairsville left an indelible
impression. I came back for good in March of 2001 with a 6 hour
quit
going and a lot of hope and pain. I love this board. Plain and
simple. I
love it. ~ Tess
Gord
I was desperate, and out of curiosity, I typed quit smoking into
the search
box, and there it was. I watched and listened, seen all the care
and support
from everyone, and just sort of started to chat. I was accepted
instantly,
:-), and I will never leave, or hopefully never smoke again.
Lola
Hi I am Lola Garcia from Spain and want to share with you how
I found Blairsville...
I was reading the Spanish newspaper and found an article about
Christy Turlington and how she created and sustains an online
resource guide for anyone who wants to quit smoking : www.smokingisugly.com
It was the name that did it !!! and under the section I WANT TO
QUIT ... number one place is Blairsville !!!!
I am so happy that I found you ... you are all wonderful and offer
me lots of support... have made so many new friends.
Thanks Blair for having made this possible... I don't know what
I'd do without my Blairsville Family !!!