Since I quit smoking, I've been meaning to clean my car. Usually the thought occurs to me at 7:25 AM when I am getting ready to go to work, sitting behind my dirty dashboard, still covered in cigarette ashes and dust. My car doesn't smell too new, either.

Yesterday I got over to my boyfriend's apartment, and he was vacuuming his Toyota Matrix. He had already washed the exterior at a pay carwash. I got in and helped wipe down the dash, doors, stereo, cup holders, etc. with Armor All Wipes. It looks pretty new and sleek now that we have it clean.

This morning it is raining, so I opted to save the vacuum and exterior wash for later, but my boyfriend and I did get into my car and do the windows and all the non-carpet surfaces with Windex and Armor All. He also gave me one of those maple leaf-shaped air fresheners. My little Honda is on its way to being a non-smoking vehicle.

Earlier this year, the city of Austin voted to enact a smoking ban ordinance, starting September 1st. That ordinance should now be in effect, pretty much banning smoking everywhere indoors in Austin, and in some cases, banning smoking outside. At the time of the vote, I thought the ordinance was silly, but now I'm glad they voted for it, since it will discourage me and others from smoking. Maybe banning smoking in my car will help, too.

This past week, I made it through my first non-smoking road trip on this quit. Honestly, the drive seemed shorter without all the smoke breaks. My only disappointment was finding out that after 12+ hours in a car, I get a sore throat whether I smoke or not--it's the A/C or heat that does it to me. Of course, smoking would have exascerbated the sore throat, and hidden the fact that there were other causes.

As my boyfriend mentioned this morning, we're headed into fall, when smoking is most appealing. He is good at pointing out where the challenges lie ahead, so that I/we can be ready when the urges strike. Warnings notwithstanding, the urge still comes out of nowhere sometimes, and my strategy still is to take deep breaths and remind myself that the urge will pass within a few minutes, and I'll be stronger for having resisted it.

Best of success to you all in your endeavors to quit smoking and stay quit. :)