Something weird happening to me too

[KatieB]

OK, I know this is going to sound weird and gross- but here goes.

You know that bottom of the ashtray smell? (YUCK! I know) but I quit smoking over two years ago (cheated just 3 times- the last time being 10 months ago! YEAY) so there is no reason for me to smell cigarettes, right?

I don't ever intend to smoke or be around smoke ever again. I don't even have the desire anymore, which is an accomplishment after the struggle I had to quit....ANYWAY.....

i smell it. All the time....sometimes it comes from out of the blue, sometimes I smell it all around me......but no one else smells it but me! And...well...it reminds me of my dad. (Can you smoke in heaven? Didn't think so)

Is that crazy or do I really need to get my nose (BRAIN) checked? I smell nasty/ ashy smoke. It's making me sick...and all I can think of is my dad.

(who, by the way had quit smoking so he wasn't smelly or anything for a long while)

Has anyone ever had this? Weird smells or smelling phantom cigarette smoke?

I know. I told you it was odd. Rick tells me I'm crazy (in a loving sort of way of course) LOL

[pecola]

Katie, just my humble opinion/belief but maybe someone is visiting you?

I really believe there is something to scents and the presence of our lost loved ones. My brother-In-Law died in a farming accident - he farmed corn. On many occasions his brother (my ex) would get an overwhelmingly strong smell of corn out of the blue - almost a stench because it was so intense. He said it seemed to happen more often when he was worried or stressed. I sometimes wake up in the middle of a nap or sleep and unmistakably smell Windsong, my grandmother's perfume or her house.

The sense of smell is supposedly the most primal of our senses and the last one we lose before we pass - it would make sense that maybe we could identify the spirit of our loved ones by that sense.

Just a thought...

Gina

[kim]

I agree with Gina! WOW!!

[teresag]

Reading this thread reminded me of how I can still "smell" my grandmother's scent from time to time. Not tht I really smell it, but I do recall it vividly. I've told the story here before of how I still have one of my Dad's t-shirts because it still smells like him (yes, it has been washed.) So I agree that smell is a fundamental part of our memories of a person. Katie, if your Dad wanted to show you he was still with you, would he choose a cigarette smell to communicate that thought?

[kimblanchard]

Just a what if. It is said communication from the other side is extremely difficult to do - that is why expression is often electrical, appliances going on and off, light bulbs blowing out, because electrical is a little easier to do than most things. Well. Maybe your Dad doesn't have a big range of choices to let you know he is there - he uses what he can.

With your other family troubles, maybe he is trying to give you some comfort, some assurance that life goes on, and that he is with you in the hard times.

When my dog was waiting for the vet - on his "last day" - I smelled a strong smell of roses and I am sure it wasn't the dog, ha, ha. I was told roses indicate the presence of angels.

About the smell - it is your call. You can ask it be toned down or stopped if it is a spiritual influence. If it is physical, it will continue.

I would be interested to know what happens. Margaret

[luvmydog2]

The same thing happens to me Katie. My wife has never smoked. I can come in the house and smell smoke. No one has been here either. At first I thought that perhaps someone visited while I was not home but never mentioned the smoke smell. There are times that I can get in my truck and smell smoke. Now I know that nobody drives my truck but me. I can't explain it either. Perhaps it is a flashback of our smoking days. I have not smoked in almost 2 years now but sure have craved them at times. Can't explain why I still get cravings at times either.

Just wanted to let you know that if you are CRAZY, then so am I.

Maybe someone else will pitch in and help us crazy people figure this out.

[Frank Lamb]

I figure it could be a loved one making their presence known,or possibly mabe its the devil hisself tempting you to have a smoke.Or tempting us I should say.Have had that happen as well.Hang in there and please don't smoke any.

[luvmydog2]

I figure ..... or possibly mabe its the devil hisself tempting you to have a smoke.Or tempting us I should say

Good point Frank. I never thought of that.

[Nushka]

Katie,

I don't want to throw a wet blanket on things (cause it could be your dad) but if it continues I would mention it to my doctor. Strange smells can be a sign of illness.

Just talking about smoking makes me want one so badly. I know I can't have one ever again and I miss them. I am greatful for not smoking and hope I never fall prey to it again.

Nina

[KatieB]

YIKES! Wouldn't ever have a smoke again as long as I live..that's a promise to myself I intend to keep.

Nina- I do have a OBGYN appt. on the 11th for bloodwork and I plan to see my reg. physician as well after this LC event I am having in two weeks.

I think it's stress, combined with little sleep and an ear infection/ sinus infection that the kids keep passing back to me.

I'd like to think it's my dad (but I don't think he'd come back as a dirty ashtray smell!! HA!)

I just wanted to throw this out there in case anyone else had this weird thing, weird smells, happen to them too.

(Bruce- we may be the only two "crazies" around here!! LOL)

[Fay A.]

Katie,

It happens to me, too. But I have to follow up by checking to see if the hills are on fire. More times than not there is no wildfire to account for the smell.

[pecola]

I'd like to think it's my dad (but I don't think he'd come back as a dirty ashtray smell!! HA!)

Good point

[SBeth]

Hi Katie,

I don't know about the cigarette smell; but for a few years after my grandmother passed away I would swear I could smell her perfume when I was alone. It was eerie at first, but after it quit happening I actually missed it.

[shirleyb]

Katie,

Isn't it amazing the things that happen to us all. For some reason when I read this, I thought it was your father's brother who was visiting. Don't ask my why, but he came to my mind in a snap of the fingers.

I hope all goes well with your doctor's appointments.

Hang in there girl.

Shirleyb

[Ann]

Katie, like you, I can only imagine Jesse would choose a different aroma but he could be trying to get your attention and knows this one would do that for sure! I have very vivid smells assocuated with Dennis. Sometimes when I put my head on my pillow, I can smell Dennis. I know that sounds strange, but each of us have our own special smell. Dennis loved to cook, His favorite "out of the box thing" was Rice-A-Roni. There are times I could swear a pan of that styff is cooking in my kitchen!!!

[KatieB]

LOL!

That is funny Ann!

Shirley! I didn't even think about my uncle Ray! Heck, he was in his late nineties....would he even know how to find my house? LOL ! LOL!

Maybe it is my dad since i have NO smells associated with him. He was an Old Spice kind of guy, but I'll tell you I can't remember that smell for the life of me. I have been out of my parents home for 14 years now and there is just no smell I can associate with him other than cigarettes, even though he didn't smoke the last year we were together.

Who knows...then again I could have a nasal problem too! LOL

It's really getting to me though.

I had a dream that I started smoking again. A Horrible dream...I actually FELT like I was smoking and my stomach hurt from being so disappointed in myself.....I remember saying " I just threw everything away that I worked so hard for! " And then when I woke up I had to think really hard for a minute before I realized it was all just a dream.

Maybe it is all in my head and I am really a NUT!

[Snowflake]

...or maybe, you've begun sleep walking and manage to get out, down to the 7-11, purchasing a pack and a lighter and you're SMOKING! Maybe that's it...no ghosts, just night trips...

Do you walk up with change and receipts in your 'jammie pockets, or do you drop them on your nightly journey back to your house?

Hey, COULD happen!

[KatieB]

could happen if this was an episode of the TWILIGHT ZONE! Silly goose !LOL

Nice try, but nope, that's not it. My nose smells the smoke, but my breath is still nice and fresh....no smoking here....not gonna happen!

Thanks for the giggle, flaky.

[Lisa O]

I totally believe in our perceived senses being able to pick up on messages from our loved ones in ways that our intellect may not be able to comprehend. I have momentarily smelled perfume before that I KNOW is not in my car! (My daughter is allergic and it is not allowed in my car) - I can smell it as clear as if I sprayed it on but it is more of a perception - which I feel is my own personal message.

Try to enjoy it.

[lilyjohn]

Katie I read a book one time about our departed loved ones and how they let us know they are still with us. I questioned out loud what smell I could associate with Johnny. Later that night I smelled coffee brewing 3 times. I had made coffee that morning but the pot had been washed hours before. When I failed to identify that the smell was associated to Johnny it stayed and got stronger. That is when it hit me that Johnny always had a cup of coffee with him. After that I would smell coffee at the strangest times and in the strangest places. Three times in the moving truck while leaving Washington my nephew smelled it before I did. Now I know that when I smell coffee and there is no other explanation it is Johnny letting me know that he is with me.

Not long after the smell of coffee started I got a smell that I couldn't place. It happened for 3 straight nights before it got strong enough for me to recognize it. What I smelled was tomatoes cooking. I have never liked tomatoes but I love the smell of them cooking because of the memory that goes with it. My mama worked in a canery for over 40 years. I can remember going to pick her up from work and the smell of those cooking tomatoes reaching us long before we got there. It took over 17 years but I finally got a visit from Mama and knew it.

When you get that smell and feel it is your dad believe it. Don't let anyone talk you out of it. It is not what the smell is but that it is a smell that reminds you of him like no other could. Hold on to that and be thankful. I know you have waited a very long time for a sign from your dad. Now that you have it be thankful and don't question what you know in your heart is true.

By the way I have the last suit of clothes that Johnny wore and his jacket both unwashed. After 2 years his scent is still on them. It is not there all of the time. It comes and goes and is always present on the times I need it the most.

Today I recieved another sign. I call it a miracle. I am posting about it in this section. See what you think of that.

May you continue to have that gross smell because like the smell or not it is a gift more precious than any money can buy. Lillian

[KC]

When my Dad first passed away, for about a month I would always smell pizza or tomato sauce whenever I was in my kitchen. It was the strangest thing. Mind you, I barely cook, so it wasn't any lingering smells (I know, bad Mommy I am). I cook some things, but I don't make sauce or pizza. But my Dad used to sometimes cook those Healthy Choice frozen pasta dishes in the microwave. He also loved his Sunday sauce with macaroni (thankfully my Mom lives one house away from us and we would go there every Sunday for the Italian meal) When I smelled the tomato sauce those times, I instantly thought it was a sign from my Dad. I hope so.

[teresag]

My sister's mother-in-law was a dear, sweet woman. She died suddenly, at age 83, about a year ago. She used to serve canned Chef Boy-ar-Dee ravioli to my little nieces for lunch when they ate there. She was also a meticulous housekeeper. Smells would not have a chance to linger in her house.

My sister sold her home after she died. A few weeks after the funeral, as my sister was readying her home to show it to another set of prospective buyers, she smelled the distinct aroma of Chef Boy-ar-Dee ravioli. Granny approved of selling the place.

[daggiesmom]

Just about smell - yeah it is the most "ancient" of all our senses. It is the one that lingers in our minds - that's why Chanel# 5 is such a success. And yes, some people do have a distinctive odor, whether good, like Chanel, or bad like cigarettes. Maybe our minds are more powerful than we know and a "whif" of something so much reminds us of our loved one that we just can't let it go. I have still not cleaned out my daughter's room yet - i can't bear to open her closet, because i know I will smell her there. It was bad enough going to her grave today and wondering why she is only 23 and will never be older than 23. Some things we will never have an answer to . But if I ever had a sense of her being around me, I would be very happy. Maybe sometime, she'll get around to visiting me.

Joanie