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The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Step Into Our Christmas Thread!

999 replies

Mouseface · 24/12/2018 21:59

Hello, I'm Mouse Smile

A HUGE welcome to the Bus!

This is the one and only Gerald. Over the years, we've travelled far and wide gathering some truly remarkable Babes along the way, all of whom have been (and remain to be) at different stages of their own personal journey to sobriety or controlled drinking, depending on what it is that they want to achieve.

We have those who drink daily, those who drink occasionally, and also those who have been sober for some time. The one thing that you won't find here, is any judgey knickers! Grin We're ALL here because at one point or another, we've hit our own "rock bottom" and then smashed the shit out of the FUCK IT button! (makes a note to order a new FUCK IT button)

This is without doubt one of the hardest times of the year for many of us, what with Christmas parties, alcohol on tap, supermarkets who have offers galore of various tipples stacked from floor to ceiling, and EVERY advert on TV shows you what an amazingly cool person you can be if you were drinking whatever brand of alcohol they're flogging! Even Christmas puddings and Brandy creams are tempting fate because as soon as you digest even a small amount of alcohol, it makes your body crave more, just like smoking, medication and recreational drugs................

Then there's the gifts that you're given! Champagne Truffles, Liquors, wines, spirits, you name it! So unless you've told people about your planned journey, people assume that buying gifts like that completely acceptable. So, some may feel obliged to consume such gifts and why not? It's Christmas after all. Then we have the New Year festivities..... parties, friends and family over to have drinks because you'll stop drinking after New Years' Day won't you?

It's so damn hard not to drink if that's what you've been doing all year anyway before you even reach this time of year!! How will you cope with your Great Aunt who will check for dust by running finger over ever surface, or Uncle knobhead who will be there in his cream suit, with that suspicious stain on it and his burgundy shirt asking for a Babycham! Also, let's not forget the in-laws/out-laws! We can sometimes put so much pressure on ourselves that we convince ourselves that we DESERVE that glass or seven of wine etc.

At the end of the day, if you want to drink, then you will. I appreciate that doesn't sound supportive but it's certainly true in my case. As I have said before, the most amazing thing about this Bus and those who travel along with it, is the fact that every single one on board has a story, a reason why they're here, and we all need support in one form or another. Yes, alcohol may be the one thing that we ALL have in common but it goes way deeper than that doesn't it? Life, love and laundry for a start! Grin

Even if you're not ready to stop or cut down on your drinking yet, that's fine! You're still welcome to hop aboard the marvellous Gerald. We're a very varied bunch of Babes but we welcome anyone in need of support, even if you're not ready to say everything that you want to yet, or you feel the need to name change, that's fine! Just know that we're here for YOU for as long as you need to be.

Mouse Smile xxx

THIS IS THE PREVIOUS THREAD IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CATCH UP FROM WHERE WE LEFT OFF

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Saywhen · 25/12/2018 07:09

Happy Christmas babes. I think Christmas 2 years ago was my last straw. But it took another 10 months of day ones to finally stop. This will be my second af Christmas. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want some wine today. (Its only the sadness that i cant moderate- as soon as i sipped the wine id be planning my next.) But this year is much easier than last. My life is far calmer and most importantly my children have less chaos- much as a wouldn't have admitted they were impacted by my drinking until I stopped.

Love to all the babes today. Good luck with your drinking plans what ever they may be x

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MintToBee · 25/12/2018 17:02

Here we are!
Merry Christmas to you all.
I claim the festive apron of smug for today is 365 days of being AF! It's not been an easy year with relationship problems, a secret half brother and the death of my Mother only 4 months ago (plus fracturing my elbow last week) but by god- it feels good to hit the year mark. I couldn't have done it without you wonderful lot. Here's to another year. Flowers

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CuileanDubh · 25/12/2018 17:55

Merry Christmas to Babes old and new, how I’ve missed you all.

The Counter Terrorist and I are keeping fine, she is finally growing up and is very nearly A Very Good Dog.



ma foos yer doos? Chuck us an opal fruit please m’dear! X

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dementedma · 25/12/2018 18:24

dubh??? DUBH???? fuck me is it really you?
Where the flying fuck have you been!!!! so good to see you again.
don't you DARE disappear again.

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Saywhen · 25/12/2018 19:30

mint huge congratulations on the year!!!!

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Margie32 · 25/12/2018 19:53

Mint, huge congrats on the year!!! That is even more amazing considering everything you’ve been through.

Great to see you Saywhen, well done on your second dry Christmas, mine too, nearly had a big wobble yesterday but took a deep breath and hit the wine witch over the head with something heavy.

Dubh, I’ve missed you and tales of the terrorist, so bloody lovely to see you. What a proper Christmas treat.

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Margie32 · 25/12/2018 19:58

I also meant to say hi to wrongwayup, I’m so sorry for your loss, I tried to mix grief and alcohol a few years ago when my Mum died, it didn’t go well. Keep talking to us, hope your Xmas has been bearable.

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LuxuryWoman2018 · 25/12/2018 21:09

‘Ello babes.

Dubh my darling, how are you?

It’s been a wonderful day, I’ve had a couple, yes but I’m sober and daughter is on the mend so I’ll be back on board the bus soon I hope.

It’s been a helluva year and I’ll be glad to see the back of it. Hope everyone has had a nice day and wakes up boingy or at least ok 😊

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LuxuryWoman2018 · 25/12/2018 21:12

Oh gosh, Margie, ma, mint,say, mouse - all the gang. I’ve missed you lovely lot.

I missed the posts by wrongwayup I send you love and strength in your grief.

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Craftycorvid · 25/12/2018 21:28

Hello, new thread! Mint wow! What an achievement. I’m flying by the seat of my teetotal knickers as I want to hit the six month mark on New Year’s Eve (rubbish timing or what?). Had some awkward moments this holiday - been asked loudly and insistently why I wasn’t drinking and if I thought I drank too much. That took a bit of segue-ing to avoid a tricky explanation in front of folk Xmas Blush Hope everyone is having a good day today. Budge up, Barry, and pass us an Opal Fruit.....

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dementedma · 25/12/2018 21:30

lux is here too! My goodness, how lovely to see "old" faces.
Wonder if indie will drop in.....
mint and corvid bloody well done. Bring on Dry January. I CAN do this!

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dementedma · 25/12/2018 21:33

guys...need to go back and fill up the old thread before mouse comes after us....

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Slingsanderrors · 25/12/2018 21:47

Bagging my seat on the bus (have opal fruits). I was here earlier in the year but fell off spectacularly. Need to clamber back on.
Am planning to do dry January.

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MissyMoooo · 25/12/2018 22:39

Hello! Am I in the right place? I admit to being a heavy drinker on a daily basis. Still functioning and holding down two jobs but can't wait to get home for a cold beer (or 5). Have been like this for over 5 years since my parents died. I want to / need to stop. Would I be putting myself in a dangerous positions (health wise) by going cold turkey? I've read horror stories about people just stopping but I'm not strong enough to speak to my doctor about it...

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Wrongwayup · 26/12/2018 04:54

Here

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Saywhen · 26/12/2018 07:54

MissyMoo I can't answer your exact question but yes you are in the right place. I was drinking a bottle (or more) of wine most nights and stopped. Not quite cold turkey and I stopped over and over again and started to drink again then stopped again etc.

Welcome to the bus.

Margie sobriety is still hanging in the balance for me some days... yesterday was one of those. But very greatful to have made it through. And I know alcohol would have brought nothing positive to my day. My dh misses me drinking though which is sad. Are you still running? I've just entered my second marathon... my first was amazing and incredibly hard!!

lux hello! I'm pleased to hear your daughter is starting to feel better.

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dementedma · 26/12/2018 08:51

missy it depends how much you are drinking and what it is, whether or not it is safe to go cold turkey. I think with a few beers every night it won't be a problem. It won't be easy, but won't kill you I mean!
If you are drinking a whole bottle of spirits or several bottles of wine a day, then I would recommend getting medical advice and help.

I'm feeling the post-Christmas blues already. They usually at least wait until after Boxing day! Kitchen looks like a bomb site. Whether damp and dreary again.

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venusandmars · 26/12/2018 09:30

mouse BRILLIANT opening post xx

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venusandmars · 26/12/2018 09:35

ma lux dubh looking wonderful to connect with you all again.

I'm doing this on my phone with limited connection, so I can't name everyone, but there are so many that I see and understand, and those who I hope and pray for. Keep well, all of you.

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Margie32 · 26/12/2018 10:16

Saywhen, a second marathon??? I bow down to you. I’m doing my fourth half marathon in Feb but I just don’t think I can take the leap into marathon territory yet, I still find 5kms almost impossible some days!

Missy, what Ma said. You will notice physical changes, starting with no hangovers (yay!) but also other things such extreme fatigue, shakes, insomnia, etc. It all calms down after a bit though. For me the emotional roller coaster of giving up was definitely more noticeable than the physical symptoms.

Chin up Ma, why don’t you buy yourself something lovely in the sales? New year new you is just around the corner! Lux, so good to see you, hope 2019 is a much better one for you. Corvid, well done for negotiating those annoying non-drinking questions.

Happy Boxing Day babes! Personally I’m glad the whole Crimbo thing is over, I felt a wave of relief this morning, I had definitely fallen victim to wanting to make the whole thing perfect and it nearly tipped me over the edge!

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Craftycorvid · 26/12/2018 10:51

Hey, Missy - good to have you on the bus. I can see the babes have offered some really great advice on stopping drinking and whether it’s safe. I can only add maybe an honest chat with your GP if you know/trust them enough for that? And, my personal experience of ‘just stopping’ - for what it’s worth, and acknowledging we are all different - was that I didn’t get any immediate unpleasant physical withdrawal stmptoms. I noticed I slept better and a gnawing anxiety that had been a feature of disturbed nights disappeared. Medium term, tiredness kicked in and I couldn’t understand it until I read about secondary withdrawal symptoms which are milder but can last a while. I was drinking most nights before that - getting on for a bottle of wine or equivalent. I did a lot of stopping for a few days/a week and starting again. I had a lot of arguments with myself. It really helps to know you are not alone in this - and you are never alone on the bus Smile. Happy post-xmas everyone!

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MissyMoooo · 26/12/2018 16:34

Thanks for all your comments and support. I have taken them all on board and I'm preparing myself for an alcohol free life after the new year x

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Duchessgummybuns · 26/12/2018 17:35

Happy Christmas babes old and new, congrats Mint on your sober year what an amazing achievement ☺️

My first sober Christmas yesterday was absolutely fine, loved every minute although I’m knackered today! Love to all xxx

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Trust2017 · 26/12/2018 17:49

Hi babes. I hope you have all had a lovely Xmas day. I’m feeling really flat today after having an immense amount of drink yesterday. Didn’t do or say anything wrong but just feel incredibly disappointed with myself as I have been so “good” lately and a bit down in the dumps which as ma says may be partly Boxing Day blues. Anyhoo onwards and upwards! Pity party is over. Grin I’ve decided to go AF now before Dry January so that I can get my mojo back and feel proud of myself again. Lovely to see all the old and new faces on the bus.

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AnneBoleynsHead · 26/12/2018 18:40

Hi Babes, just de-lurking to wish everyone a Happy Christmas.
I am planning another dry January so will probably post more then. Good to see so many old familiar names.Xmas Smile
,

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