Wankerbastards and autumn weather, crunchy leaves, browning heather. We want crisp, cool days and crisp, cool wine, or beer or gin. But only a couple, as we smash moderatin'.

[Frouby]

Thread 8 for Tryers to be Dryers.

Join in for help and support and lots of laughs to reduce alcohol. Whatever you want to achieve with your alcohol intake, whether it's alcoholidays, dry days, less booze in general we are all in the same boat.

More threads floating around but I can't do clicky links. Just look for Wankerbastards and you will find us.

It’s all or nothing for me Flossie. I’d really struggle throw half a glass of wine away. I’m finding exercise during the witching hour has a similar effect on my mood and sleep, so I’m trying to do that.
Going away on Friday. Have reached a semi truce with friend, ie agreed to park it and speak when we get back. Round at other friends tomorrow for nails & lashes. Won’t be AF. Won’t be wearing my gym kit.
Knackered, but much love and intrigue from me. You’re a lovely bunch 🥰

That's good NC4. Even if you don't reach a full understanding, getting along in a group situation will mean the issue with your friend is contained.

Dion, get well soon!

Weather here has been intense- massive lightning storms all night and only just easing off now. Cannot get the girls to moderate their volume and neighbours have been banging on ceiling, bit stressful.

longest that does sound stressful, has the weather improved yet? Hate lightening. It's high risk around the ponies and on the water so it's very much a err on the side of caution about it household here.

Dion what you done to your arm?

Nc that sounds positive with your friend. Maybe you will have a conversation organically while you are away and clear the air?

Flossie half a bottle is very good moderating indeed. And happy birthday to your dd, all the best people are born in october 😁.

Had a lovely birthday. Low key and relaxed but thoroughly spoiled and looked after. Been and rode BabyPony today. She was a superstar. Saddle slipped as I was getting on, was already committed so kept going and ended up on, but at an angle I didn't want to be at. Had to get my foot in right stirrup which was higher that I thought and hutch myself round which must have felt very odd and she would have been quite within her rights to dump me but she stood rock still bless her. Had a lovely ride round the school and when I got off realised saddle had slipped backwards as well. So have booked a saddle fitter for after half term as she needs a new one due to changing shape so much due to the work. So that will be a nice lump on the credit card 🙈.

Not dry tonight. Had dd at dentist straight from school, didn't get home til 5.30pm. Ds was a pita. Dd was a stroppy mare. Traffic was horrendous and I was stressed and tired. So beer opened the minute I walked in. Not brilliant but will have 2 then cook dinner for me and dh.

That all sounds totally reasonable Frouby. I’m drowning a bit with work/kids/finances/friends. I feel very neglectful of Ds2 even though he doesn’t round. Is that a standard 13 yo thing? It’s tugging on my heart strings.
I think the convo will happen organically with BF. I just worry there’s so much potential to be shitfaced For 4 days solid. No good ever came from a drunk conversation.
I’ve made a case for Saturday morning yoga, but I I know it’s unlikely. As my other friend said, ‘I’ll more likely be down the bog than downward dog on Saturday morning.’
It’s hard trying to moderate when your peers aren’t on the same wavelength, isn’t it?

NC4 - sad to hear you’re so bogged down. I think it’s normal to feel that way with a 13yr old. As they find their independence and start to do their own thing more, so it leaves us feeling a bit redundant and crappy. I’m sure he’s delighting in this himself..just makes you feel a bit lost.
As for your trip..yup deffo hard to moderate in that situation. Do your friends regularly drink?? I feel you should just go with the flow. It’s 4 days. You can get back to the moderating wagon once home lovely.
As for drunken conversations, admittedly they’re not all fab. But maybe it means all the things that are pent up on both sides, will slide out and be clearer.
I reckon you’re going to have an ace time!!
Nails and lashes complete?? Or is that tonight?? Have fabulous time!!

Frouby - any appointment to the dentist deserves a beer at the end of it!!

Longest - I hope things improve for you x

DD’s bday was a delight. Loved spending time with her. Dh came home a knob tho and trying to get an argument out of me..I totally ignored him. Felt in control for one of the first times!!

Just flying in . Sorry I missed DD2's b'day yesterday Flossie. I'm glad she had a lovely day and that you deflected DH.

Hugs, NC4 - you are going through the mill.

I have given up all hope of ever having an AF evening ATM. I fell off a ladder. Nothing serious - will mend itself, but v painful meanwhile.

Glad you had a good b'day too, Frouby!! 🎉
Happy hols, Longest.

Ouch, Dion. That sounds painful!! Hope it mends soon x

Afternoon all

Wet and miserable here this afternoon after a grey morning. Car in for MOT so looks like a soggy schoolrun as well as feeding chooks.

Done a couple of hours work, and finished that. Got dinner prepped for tonight as well. We are having chicken tikka kebabs with pitta breads, cabbage takeaway style, salad and possibly rice. Much cheaper, healthier and nicer than a takeaway kebab, fuck knows why we bother with takeaways. Apart from the nice indian up the road they are all bloody rubbish. We are lucky that we have nice takeaways that deliver but tbh have really gone off them. We end up having one because I am rushing around or tired or stressed or (usually) pissed and cba to cook.

Been shocking this week. But birthday. Will probably have a gin or 2 tonight, am out tomorrow for my birthday meal. Then will be dry Saturday cos got Halloween party at boathouse for dcs, then dry sunday cos it's sunday and dry monday because dd dragonboats usually.

New jodphurs arrived today. First jods I have owned since I was about 20. AND they are a colour other than beige. AND they are 'sticky bums'. Which basically means they have pimples on the seat to help you stick.

When I was a kid and pony mad my mum wouldn't buy me any colour other than beige because I could use them for the odd show so she didn't have to buy me 2 pairs. And we couldn't afford the sticky bums because they were a lot more expensive. So I am very pleased with them 😂😂😂.

Dd off shopping tonight from school for Halloween stuff. Asked her 2 weeks ago if she wanted a ticket for boathouse party. She said no cos it was just for the little kids. Now the dragonboat team is putting a boat on as well, including her 'friend' that's a boy, but not boyfriend, she is keen as mustard 😄. She wants to go as Zombie Sandy from Greece ffs. Black shiny leggings, a red off the shoulder boobtube thing, black leather jacket and red shoes.

She didn't want to be a witch or Frankenstein's bride or anything else Halloweeny. Dh will be following us I reckon to keep an eye on her if she looks more like a sexy sandy than a zombie sandy.

Nc4 lol at down the bog vs downward dog 😂

Frouby that sounds likes a good birthday 🙂

Dionysa, ladders, dangerous, ow, hope you’re better soon

Flossie, happy birthday to dd and well done for not rising to it

Thank you, you lovely lot.

Frouby, your post made me laugh a lot. I don't know why you ever bother with takeaways, though. You could start one yourself, and I'd be there.

Yet another wet day shame (friend came over at lunchtime to moan about half term) and evening for me. I give up, this week.

The chicken kebabs were lovely as well Dion. Just chicken breasts chunked up, marinaded with yogurt, a splodge of chilli oil, a teaspoon of chilli powder and aome yellow food colouring for authenticity. Served them with shredded cabbage in oil and lemon juice (it slightly ferments and goes soft), salad and hummus on a pita bread. Really simple and quick and easy and a lot healthier than a takeaway kebab.

Supposed to be out for a meal with DH tonight but it's going to piss it down. So don't know if I can be arsed. Speaking of takeaways there's a new fancy burger place opened across the road, supposed to be based on five guys, where you order your burger then choose all your dressings and extras. Dcs want to try it later, said they going on a date night together and eating in over there so might end up with that instead. Then I can get in bath after schoolrun and put my pjs on instead of proper clothes 😄.

Ouch Dion, get well soon! Take care lovely.
Are you on your way nc4? Weather has perked up. Going to have a beach bbq tonight so get your flippers on.

Kids obsessed with pool so I have swum miles and miles. Water is a bit chilly. Sea is warmer actually though i got stung by a mini jellyfish yesterday. Gorgeous though.

Hope burger place is good Frouby. We have some good restaurants near us - veggie Indian, Turkish and Vietnamese and sushi etc, but i agree a home cooked meal can be just as good, especially if someone else is cooking.

Last full day here, sun is out so we are off to the "kinetic sand beach" as the kids call it, and out for lunch somewhere. Moderating on slight hold but have not gone mad since first night. Night before we left was the worst of all though.

Mmmmm, delish, Frouby. I want some. Love the idea of your DC going on a date night. Mine would have long since been divorced.

Sounds fab, Longest.

Are you on your way, NC4? I really hope the friendship problems are manageable.

In pain! Not a single dry day this week, not least due to using gin as a painkiller :(

Halloween is massive where we live. I had no idea till the kids were old enough that trivk or treat involved anything other than opening the door and handing out a few sweets. People put on full on pageants. Its nice actually- a proper community affair. Think the dc like it move than Christmas, which makes me wonder why i bother with that stress fest, when all they need for magic to happen is a few sweets and being out with their mates after dark.

Dd1 wants to be a "vampire something" but everything i have suggested has been vetoed. She briefly settled on vampire ive skater (!) until she remembered dhe doesn't have ice skates and they'd be pretty difficult to go trick or treating in even if sje did .

Beach bbq was good. Stunning sunset then lots of stars, which pleased dd2, romantic soul that she can be. Home tomorrow saflyy, though quite looking forward to my own bed (with duvet rather than mean blanket) and a telly (mainly for dc, who do not do wholesome well). On the other hand irate neighbours appear to either have been imaginary or to have moved out as there is no sign of them - their shutters have been shut the whole time. Relief!

Hope you are home safely, Longest.

AF tonight (first time in about 10 days) because vilely hungover. FML.

Evening all

Dry here purely because I was out until 8.30pm at Halloween paddle and party down at the Boathouse. Kids loved it, but I was very ready for home by 8.30pm. Couldn't wait to get home and get my pjs on.

I love coming home to my own bed longest. I am usually cold in the night on holiday too, and no matter how comfortable the beds are it's not the same. Because of Thomas Cook going under our flight has been changed from an early afternoon flight getting us home for about 9pm to one that doesn't land until midnight, then we have to get from manchester to Sheffield so be about 2.30am before we get home. Then I will have to brave the crowds for the fresh stuff for Christmas as it will be 23rd December. Urgh. Already dreading it. Need to make sure I have absolutely everything else and just need fruit and veg and bread and milk and stuff. Will be able to nip to aldi down road then instead of the chaos at the bigger supermarkets.

Dion - I think I’ll feel your pain tomorrow!! Fml. Drinking like a fish and absolutely no off switch tonight!!

Frouby - if I had a day like that..I’d be coming home, putting pj’s on and diving into a large wine!! So you’re a stronger woman than me lovely!!

Longest - hope you home safe

NC4 - hope you are having an absolute ball!!

Back thank you! Managed more swimming and lunch out bit journey was a bit of a slog. Flight was ok - we got separated and dd2 and i had a nice chat. "People who work on planes know a lot about the world" but passport control was mad and the dc were overtired on the train from the airport. So was glad to get home, only for dd1 to ask "what are we doing tomorrow?" Before i had even sat down. So i said we are going to the cheapo cinema like it or not. Also hairdressers, as is traditional for last day of hols. But not dry.

OMG longest. You’re a better woman than I am!! I went to yoga this morn. Came home, turned into Cinderella again which pissed me off. Then dd’s started demanding to know what we were doing today. Bearing in mind we’ve been away the last 4 weekends. I told them absolutely nothing!! Absolutely sod all. I wanted to stay home and chill. It was like I’d stabbed them in the heart!! Dh had gone out on his mountain bike. I’ve realised they’re good at sulking and making me feel the shittest of mums!!
So you are a bloody awesome parent to, after a week away abroad, to come home and take them to the cinema!! Hats off to you!!

I am lucky that both mine are happy to with a chill out day occasionally. As much as ds likes doing stuff, he is also rehearsing for being a teenager and loves a day lolling around in his pants. Especially this time of year.

No need for admiration Flossie. Cinema is purely self preservation. There's no arguing in the cinema, no mess to clear up, no demands for apples cut in quarters, stories, for me to act a part or anything other than provide an obscene amount of popcorn and sit in the dark, rocking gently. At £2 a ticket it's a lifesaver. Even better that the clocks have changed so 10:10 even feels like a reasonably civilized start time. Dh would rather claw his eyes out than watch dora the explorer for 2 hours though so i shall take them to the cinema and hairdresser and earn my brownie points then demand i get to go to the lido and piano on my own later while he takes them pokemon hunting or plays the forbidden island board game for the 77th time this week. Win win.

Lol frouby - that’s the ONLY good thing about a teen....no entertaining needed!!

Longest - pmsl at you buying the popcorn and rocking for 2 hours 😂😂

I hate the cinema, even for films I want to see. It's sooooooo loud, and uncomfortable. Much prefer being at home with a glass of something nice to watch something.

Ds is being a funny little onion this morning. He came in our room while dh was cuddled up to me and he's furious and jealous. Keeps sitting on my knee and stroking my face and says when daddy gone to work in the morning he's getting in daddys side and cuddling me all the morning 😂😂😂.

He's going to end up one of those men, living with his mum in his 40s, hated my mners 😁. He's going with his dad to harvest our giant pumpkins this morning though so they can do some manly bonding. Am not sure how we are going to carve them, they are fecking huge. Might just scoop the middle out, carve them in half and tell everyone they are kayaks 😮.

Hahahahaha Frouby. You and DS will be like that Ronnie Corbett comedy from the 70s/80s where he's still living with his mum when he's about 48.

Longest, you and your DH are absolute parenting stars. I used to be ok, but I'm completely crap now. I am better with younger children.

I have done stuff all with mine this weekend. DD is stropping, but I don't know what about.

NC4, hope your holiday is going well...

Still in a ridiculous amount of pain, and still drinking too much. Second week of half term is looming.

So sorry to hear about the pain, Dion. Have you seen a dr? Sounds like it could be more serious than just bruising?

Frouby i am well impressed with the pumpkin growing. We did a decidedly less wholesome run to tesco, but i have gathered all their spooky junk into this Halloween display, which i am quite proud of! Sometimes tis useful having a mil with a car boot sale addiction.

Cinema was quite fun actually- film was a bit random as dora the explorer was a 16 year old high school student, so slightly over dd2's head, but she enjoyed the monkey and the singing and i enjoyed cuddling her in the dark. In the end piano teacher sacked off lesson (we have a great arrangement where either one of us can decide we can't quite be arsed and i don't get charged) and i sacked off swimming as totally knackered and had missed the lido opening hours anyway by the time hairdresser was done and didn't fancy indoor pool as much so i still have brownie points in the bank.

AF tonight. First in a while. Always feels like an extra slog but am ready for bed really. Holiday plus clock change means body clock is 2 hours out.