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.

Frouby France needs a Margaret Thatcher. I hope Macron doesn't give in. It is paradoxical that 75% of the French want changes to the retirement system as they understand it isn't sustainable, but when it comes to it no-one wants change.

Flossie congratulations on your trip to London with the girls. And sorry that DH has man flu. There are plenty of chubby French women in the provinces, they certainly don't all correspond to the Parisien petite chic femme ideal, far from it! At the supermarket trolleys are piled high with industrial food now. It's a shame.

Dion I wouldn't have a clue who to vote for. Lib Dem probably but I'm not a Jo Swinson fan at all. The headgirl persona doesn't quite cut it.

If you aren’t sure about who to vote for, this is a good quiz. It’s to vote for policies, not personalities, which I reckon is a good place to start:

voteforpolicies.org.uk/

I’ve missed loads on here but hope everyone’s as ok as mums can be in December. I bloody love Tia Maria and Baileys. Also love making a milkshake with it in a cocktail shaker.
I’m feeling a bit joyless at the moment. DS1 is continuing to be hard work, my friends are all busy and I’m working lots. That said, I’m working on some really good stuff that I’m proud of, so I shouldn’t grumble. This time last month I was ready to pack it in and get a proper job in a press office or something. I’m so glad I didn’t.

NC4 glad it’s all worth it. It’s nice when persistence pays off.

Flossie, well done, that sounds like a gruelling trip. 😡 at dh and his man flu

Longest, that’s hard 💐

Madame, interesting to hear of fat provincial French women, I thought most French women were slim too

Big argument in our house last night. Ds still being difficult. Dd has joined in now. Drank loads, feel completely FML tbh. Thanks everyone the sympathy, it’s appreciated.

And dd is self harming again 😰😰😰 FML X 1000

Oh no Water. Big hugs to you, and stay strong

water hugs lovely, that must be so difficult.

flossie do it, get on a train and come. Friend loved tia maria and baileys. We had a nice hour, the kids played lovely, her dd (2) is adorable and reminds me of my dd at that age. Even dh came home and was sociable so that's nice. She's a lovely woman, we have found out over the last year we have a lot in common. Dysfunctional siblings, absent fathers and no interest in finding them, similar morals and values. I can gently take the piss out of her as well, but in a nice way and she does the same to me. She's loads better since starting taking antidepressants, a lot happier and more relaxed. Shes a nice friend to have, and will possibly be more than a school gate friend.

Obviously not dry tonight, will do that wuiz when I am. Labour were outside our school gates tonight, was interesting listening to the chat from other mums after. Everyone should have the right to vote, but it should be compulsory to watch a brief video beforehand 🙈.

Water..I’m so sorry. What an awful worrying time you are having. I hope you have support.

Frouby- I’m on my way!!!! You’re new friend sounds great!! Love a bit of banter. She sounds perfect!!

Your. Not you’re. Bloody predictive text

I’m not dry either. Dh watching the political debate between Corbyn and BJ and screaming at the tv!!

Oh water, massive hugs. Flossie, well done you. You sound like you barely batted an eyelid at massive round trip.

Busy day but quite nice really. Dd had a concert at school then i went for linch with school mum friend. Dsis arrived with toddler niece and baby nephew. We collected girls from school and pegged it down to Hammersmith for fab father Christmas show, then back again for school fair. School os quite posh so there was proper homemade curry and generously laced mulled wine which fortified me for my stint being an elf fml. But dn and dd2 were in bed by the time i finished that. 2 guests are out on the town tonight so was just dsis and baby dn for dinner. Df's plane is delayed due to strikes so have hidden key.

Has worked out ok with dm. She is allegedly flying tomorrow, subject to strikes, but comes into Stansted which is halfway to dsis's so she'll pick her up on the way and bear the brunt of the ppst flight drama, and she'll come through to me on Sunday. Then she'll do a quick foray north and come back to mine on Wednesday for dd2's nativity en route back to France. Who knows thereafter really but if she's not back for Christmas we will get mil down here instead of going north, which would be easier in many ways, though the girls will be miffed. Is hard to take actual offence as she is putting herself through a lot of stress and expense to come and see us, but is exasperating. Even the voting. She is a staunch labour party member in a marginal constituency and would normally be out canvassing etc but is due to be here on election day. If she'd thought even a few days in advance sorting a proxy would have been easy but now is major hassle and borderline fraud to organise emergency one. And flight went up in price 50% in a day.

Water, I am so sorry. What a horrible situation. Absolutely nothing helpful to say, but sending you hugs.

Glad you have more or less sorted out your DM problem, Longest.

New friend sounds fab, Frouby.

I did the quiz, NC4. It was rather interesting, and confirms my current intentions.

Oh god, I’m struggling so badly today. I was at a works do last night. I drove there intending to defend myself against exactly this, but was persuaded to leave my car.
I was sat next to a guy I’ve always got on with. He’s 10 years younger and in a long term relationship. He was plying me with wine, and later told me he’d switched the seating plan so so was next to him. He was making a very big play for me. At the time I enjoyed the attention but I feel so embarrassed today, like a drunk old tart.
I’m utterly mortified. I’m so cross at myself for being weak and allowing myself to be talked into drinking.

NC4, HIGH FIVE at younger man flirtation! Don’t be cross with yourself, it sounds lovely! lol at drunken old tart 😂. That’s all very flattering.

Thanks for all the sympathy, I massively appreciate it. Dd says she did it once, on Thursday and says she won’t do it again and I’m thinking at least she told us. Ds was supposed to be home this weekend but said he can’t be bothered and is now saying he won’t be back for Christmas either 😰. He’s cross with me and I’m not really sure why, I haven’t done anything wrong.

Drank wine last night and we are going out tonight so will drink then too. Then may go AF again next week. New boiler being fitted on Monday, £2k and electrical work being carried out on Thursday, £1k so it’s an expensive week.

It was indeed very flattering and I take some comfort from the fact that the blonde bombshell office manager who turns 60 next month, was slut-dropping on the dance floor.
It was obviously that kind of a do. 😂😂
It’s a bit of a crazy world I work in.

Water that sounds incredibly difficult. Is DS not giving you any indication of why he’s upset with you? And if he doesn’t come home for Christmas, what will he do instead? Does he have a girlfriend/boyfriend?
I think I’ll hop on the bus this week too. Maybe not Weds as it’s my birthday, but the other days.

Ah flattering indeed NC4. Glad you had a good time. Am out at a gig. Kind friend is babysitting. Woo. Bit knackered after touristing all day DM made it to dsis's with predicted litany of complaints about flying.

Oh dear, seem to have caused a family riot and a huge bust up. Mainly between me and my sil (who is a witch) and my brother as well. Sigh. Because I called her on a horrible fb post, not the first but 1 of many. I ignore the ignorance and subtle racist posts and the poor me ones, but I called the one about my brother, probably the millionth one. Sil kicked off, I refuse to back down, brother told me off via fb and messenger. Phoned him and told him he a knobber lol. Other sister waded in and got involved sticking up for me,my mum phoned and is upset, other sister raging on my behalf. Ffs.

Not dry obv 😂😂😂

Well am still steaming angry with brother and sil. Pair of twats they are. Luckily I screenshot the fb exchange before I was blocked otherwise I would be doubting myself this morning but she was bang out of order and threw a wobbler when called on it.

Maybe I wouldn't have said anything had I been sober but am not the first to pull her on it. She's like a stroppy princesses when told something she doesn't like so did her usual teddies out of the cot routine. And my brother a spineless twat as well.

So yeah. Wasn't dry, drunk far too much gin post fbgate and feel OK, but as though hangover is due lol.

Grr Frouby, what a shower. I am glad your dsis is backing you. Even more grr at your brother for taking witch sil's side when you were sticking up for him.

Gig was great and just up the road at ally pally so rolled home. Dh managed to get allocated a seat in accessible seating area because standing is not great for his ME and i went as his plus one so i was a bit out of the mosh pit but very comfy. Not AF.

Dd1 acting like spoiled brat. Think overtired. Dh has taken them to cheapo cinema so friend and i going for stroll up to Highgate pretending to be normal people having a civilsed weekend. Then chaos will descend along with my DM this afternoon. Will be difficult to be AF with DM here even though Sunday and this is Christmas party week so doesn't bode well. Will aim for AF mon and Thurs at least. Probably at most too.

God families are such hard work, aren’t they Frouby? I had to play mediator with mine recently. I’ve got a tendency to be brutally honest when I’ve had a drink, which is usually what leads to the crippling hanxiety.
I’m still suffering today. I had a fair few drinks last night as I was out with friends, but they are safe people that I can be myself with.
Work things are a whole other level.
That’s great about the gig Longest. Who did you go and see? I’m off to see the Libertines this week with my brother. Really looking forward to it. I’ve not been to a gig in ages.

Families are definitely hard work. But have to say all mine have agreed with me and said they will support me over brother. And my mum called, she also agrees with me that bro is bang out of order, sil is a manipulative witch who doesn't like any of us and treats dbro like shit. But dm worried if she falls out with bro she won't get to see the dcs. Did point out she scarcely sees them anyway (they live about 7 minutes up the road from her), that I wouldn't recognise nephew in a 3 baby line up (he's 1 in january) and I have seen him once in his life.

Sil did used to come to days out etc, but since she had dnephew it's like she has her 2 dcs now, she isn't interested and doesn't care about us. And like I said to dm that's absolutely fine if she doesn't want to see us. But then dbro should take responsibility for his family having a relationship with his children, and his own relationship with his nieces and nephews and siblings.

And that it's not just me who has noticed the shite she posts on fb is offensive, her own family are often publically telling her it's inappropriate.

So yeah, am still pissed off but calmer.

Making a roast chicken dinner, going to eat that and have a lovely bath. Got a mega busy week coming up. Need to wind down work stuff, iron and pack holiday clothes, sort ds birthday party, cake and so on. Plus do as much of the Christmas food shop as I can, get the house sorted and generally Get My Shit Sorted out. Fml.

That's good Frouby. She sounds awful.

It was Idles NC4. Cringey on stage banter but great songs/lyrics.

The best way to scare a Tory is to read and get rich.

Frouby sorry about your family woes. It sounds like your brother has a lot to deal with. I don't really understand people who live their lives on FB and put everything they do and feel there.

NC4 go you! Don't feel bad about the younger colleague and your works do. It's nice to have the attention even if he was a wanker for doing that when in a long term relationship.

Longest the concert sounds fun, I hope DD1 is behaving better now.

I've had a productive if not relaxing weekend. Got the Christmas tree up (went for a real one this year). DH is ill, he has my cold from last week, but of course it is much more serious than mine was. He did work yesterday all day, with his digger. But today, I was up at 7.30am, dog run of 12km, back within just over an hour, organised breakfast for DH and DS, we went to see DS run at cross country event (I drove, DH criticised my driving as usual). Then I got lunch ready for everyone, cleaned out hens and guinea pigs, batch cooked soup and other meals for next week, made a cake, prepared lessons for 2 hours, took dog out for a walk, ironed at least 12 of DH's shirts and got dinner ready.
DH repaired his truck (less than one hour). He has now gone to bed as very tired.
Men are definitely the weaker sex.

Frouby - Jeez your poor brother!! She sounds a right mare!! And why was he standing up for her when she had slated him on social media?! I would’ve done the same as you for sure. You’ve done nothing wrong other than being loyal to your family. She sounds a right cow!!

Madame - I hear your pain!! You’ve worked your arse off today!! Did he notice??
My dh stayed in bed til lunchtime. I cooked a brunch for us all then. Burnt it!! Reduced half of it, which I fed them with. But had to go without myself. Was so hungry yet watched them eat. I then ironed his shirts for the week. He has laid around all day and done absolutely nothing. He then went back to bed at 5pm for a power nap (for 2 hours!) while I cooked a roast. I called him 4 times to say dinner was ready!! Ffs. Totally felt like a maid today. In froubys words..he’s a knobber!!

Flossie no but then he has man flu so not surprising 😂😂 he is usually a little more helpful so I forgive him for today.
Sorry about your DH and especially the power nap wtf???

I've just read another thread on here about what Mumsnet are buying as presents for their DC. I am completely out of the loop and very pleased to live in France. I won't be spending more than £70 per child, is that really so bad? One kid was going to get a Nintendo switch and an Apple Watch. Ffs.

Madame, that’s an exhausting list and omg at one hour and then needing a lie down. And your dh flossie.

Frouby, sorry to hear about family drama. IKWYM, we have had various falling outs over the years in our family and there’s always someone pissed off with someone.

Went out last night, drank loads of wine, feel rubbish today. And I'm AF because I have a hangover and also I need a few days of calm. Ordered pizza tonight so I also need a few days of eating less crap. So this is day 1 AF in December although a lot of the drinking days have been moderate so that’s something.