Quitting ‘icky’
By Robert Wolfington IIIArticle Photos
TYLER - The Minnesota Wild have played a part in a few significant moments in Sandy Spindler's life.
Her first Wild game came a day after her husband, John, proposed marriage; the second came as a celebration of her giving up smoking.
Spindler received a $5,000 grand prize from ClearWay Minnesota in the QuitCash QuitPlan contest.
"A friend of mine quit smoking," said Spindler. "She went through the QuitPlan. She got an e-mail and signed up for QuitCash."
Spindler said she followed her friend and joined the program in late August.
"About 2,500 people signed up and they drew my name," said Spindler.
Spindler started smoking when she was 17. She said this isn't the first time she quit smoking.
"Started when I was 17," said Spindler. "I would quit and then I would start again. It's just such a waste."
Spindler has five kids. She said they are proving to be a good motivator not to smoke anymore.
"The three older children are always on me to quit smoking," said Spindler. "Wanting to be around for them is a good incentive for not smoking."
Spindler said her kids would always remind her that smoking was "icky" and "disgusting."
Spindler said it's difficult to quit smoking all together.
"When you're a smoker there is always that thing in the back of your head that you're afraid you're going to start again," said Spindler. "You have to take it one day at a time."
Spindler started out using a quit-smoking patch but said that method hasn't been as effective as her kids.
Now Spindler said she is just going by the will not to smoke anymore.
"If you really want to quit it isn't that bad," said Spindler. "As time goes on it's harder to deal with. After there is no nicotine left it's just a head game."
Spindler first heard she could have won the QuitCash competition a few weeks ago.
"I got an e-mail and it said I was a potential winner," said Spindler. "I thought, yeah whatever, I really didn't believe it. They called me, came down to Marshall and I had to do a urine test."
Spindler received tickets to a Wild game and a hotel room
Spindler said this is the second time the Wild have played an important part in her life.
"The first time I was at a Wild game, my husband had proposed to me the day before," said Spindler. "At the game he had paid to have them put congratulations on your engagement on the JumboTron."
While the $5,000 isn't the real reason she quit smoking, she said it will help her spread a little Christmas cheer for her family.
"It couldn't have come at a better time," said spindler. "I've got a lot of my Christmas shopping done - I just need to get it wrapped now."
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volemt
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12-02-08 5:29 PM
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Way to go, Sandy. Congratulations.
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