The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Carry On Past The Christmas Party (part 1)

[TheMousefaceBeforeChristMouse]

Hello.

Welcome to The Brave Babes Bus. I'm Mouseface and I used to abuse alcohol and to be honest, there is always a risk that I'll do it again.

This is a bus journey for those who drink too much, or drink now and then, not at all, or actually aren't quite sure what their drinking means to them.

Come and meet the other Brave Babes, everyone is welcome.

Here is the history so far -

Thread 15

Thread 14

Thread 13

Thread 12

Thread 11

Thread 10

Thread 9

Thread 8

Thread 7

Thread 6

Thread 5

Thread 4

Thread 3

Thread 2

JWN's original thread

Well - the stuff in the link can actually work. It is based on hypnosis, NLP and EFT. Helps to change thinking patterns in your unconscious mind. So for anyone who is normally in control of what they drink, i.e. doesn't have an alcohol problem, the techniques will probably work OK (if you do them - it doesn't work, just by reading about them ). They often work better if someone else takes you through them (and for a VERY LARGE fee, I could do that (and I am trained and certified and insured and all that)).

I haven't yet found that it works on the alcoholic mind.

So, zany if you think you're not an alcoholic (or even if you are), then yes, absoloutely, give it a go. But even with the approaches suggested there you have to WANT to not get plasterd at the office party. No technique can make you do things you don't want to.

And as I said before you actually have to DO them. Lots of things there that people could try, lots of advice on here that people could try. Lots of AA meeting that people could go to. None of them work like magic, they all require you to actually implement them.

Zany don't apologise. It says a lot that you are reading thing about not drinking. Who cares whoit is written by, or where it is published - if it helps you, it helps you.

No judgement here (and occasionaly that even include the Daily Mail )

zany no problem with the article at all! It's just the thought of the 'Daily Mail' that makes me irrationally cross. I am a bit of a lefty so it's bound to irk me! (Oh God, people might think the 'Red' in my name means I'm a hard core communist rather than being a reference to my hair !!)

Bought Allen Carr's book on Saturday, anyone else here read it?

desire I read his one about stopping smoking... Well, I stopped reading it as I approached the final chapter as it was starting to work on me and I didn't really want to give up smoking at the time - was doing it for BF at the time. Pathetic, I could have been a non-smoker by now!! Have you started to read it?

Yeah Red started reading it on Sat, heavy enough going but hope to stick with it, I also read his one on stopping smoking but didn't really have any effect on me (maybe for the same reasons as you, wasn't sure I wanted to stop smoking)

good evening folks

a much better day today. i'm still appalled at my behaviour on the weekend tough.
today i have made it my mission to get on top of my work, and already feel like i have less stress to hide from :)

MILFAW you really hit the nail on the head about powerlessness wrt to alcohol. on saturday i forgot that i am powerless when consuming alcohol. when i do remember this i actually can drink responsibly. there will always be times when i cannot achieve this; pmt, extreme stress. but when i drink alcohol with out remembering the mantra i am a liability. i must never forget that i am powerless against the effects of this drug

Good evening all,

Didn't sleep last night, but have not let that deter me from having a positive day.
Work is driving me insane, at least the people are!! However came home, sorted out a load of paperwork. Paid some outstanding bills and started to make some telephone calls to get my overall outgoings down.

2 made and 2 to go.

So all in all a good day.

Just need to tackle the ironing next .

Day 13 is going well in my house.

Hope everyone else is having a good day.

mari there is no point in beating yourself up for something you have already done, just make sure that you have a plan to stop it from happening again.

mouse hope everything goes well for you and Nemo at the hospital, you guys will be in my thoughts.

thurso you are doing fantastically, and you are recognising the triggers, something that I am also beginning to do. Stick in there. Did you ever think that you would make it to 5 weeks, I can't imagine getting to 5 weeks at the moment, it seems as far in the future as JWM's 6 months!!

venus immensly wise words as always, you, me and dementedma are all practically neighbours.

Welcome to all the newcomers, the bus is a great place to be. Stick in for the ride - it's sometimes a little bumpy, and we wobble, but the end destination is pretty fantastic.

TODAY I will not be drinking

Would like to add that DS is doing my stuffing head in and I am very very close to losing my patience!!! He has just announced he has homework, which he cannot find the instructions to, and it is due in tomorrow! AND BREATHE

i have a confession to make - I read the Daily Mail!!!! I used to love the column by the late Keith Waterhouse and Deborah Ross's articles make me laugh out loud. I also like John McLeod's essays about life on the islands....so shoot me!!
I am a fraud on the bus right now as I am drinking and not even trying to stop...I am aware of what I'm doing, but have completely lost the momentum I had earlier. however i will continue to ride with you guys if that's ok....I am impressed and humbled by you all

Talking of triggers Bafana.....Dh rang at 5 to say he is running late, rang at 6, on his way.., rang at 7.15, will be in at about 9.30!! Emergency at work - not a blonde one, I hope.

On my own again tonight, so have made a pot of coffee, and am going up for a hot bath, and deep condition my hair..Oh, the glamour!

ma I used to read the Mail, only stopped when another paper went tabloid sized! In my work, I maintain to all that it doesn't matter what you read, as long as you do! (possibly, with some exceptions!)

Mouse I hope all goes well tomorrow, and that the results are what you hope for. I also hope that you get some sleep, and a wee break!

Just thought,

how rude that I never say hello to all the newer babes, and people that I haven't met before. I still feel like such a newbie that it doesn't seem quite right for me to welcome people as if I were a founder member.

Anyway Hello
This is a fab place to be.

thurso you and I are on the same wavelength, just had a long soak in the bath with my book, followed by hot oil treatment for my hair, washed, conditioned and then rinsed in cool water.

Moisturised whole body, and smeared Elizabeth Arden on my face, I am now like a little grease ball in my jammies, might send DD to make me a nice cuppa tea.

Yes, it is a glamourise life I lead, but at least tonight it is a sober one, and hopefully a better nights kip tonight.

demented you know that you can be on the bus anytime you like. Have you worked out why you have lost your motivation?

Hello.

Just popping on to say thank you so much for all of the well wishes for Nemo's hospital stay tomorrow.

Be back Wednesday night for a full update on you all!!

Silver - if you are lurking, I hope you are okay. Missed you on the bus today. Hope you are taking care of yourself xx

Right Babes, off to finish packing.

Be Brave!! xx

Was wondering where you are too Silver

OMG forget to tell all you Brave Babes out there I'm getting a tattoo done tomorrow. Very nervous

Of what Zany?

I have a semi-band around the top of my arm that I designed myself and had done 15 years ago.

(OMG 15 years ago. I feel old)

Crikey, Zany, where and what?

evening everyone!!

i have had a lovley day!!, done nothing spectacular, just done some work, been to AA (it was a really good meeting!) and then i got a lovley surprise when i got home! (no, not that sort of surprise! ), i got a present from mumsnet in the post!, some boots vouchers! , i have an idea who nominated me and all i can say is thank you so very much!, when i did the first post, you know how desperate i felt, so lonely and very hopeless and utterly worthless - i really cannot believe how far i have come, how my life has changed - to think that i have helped someone else makes me feel very humble and tbh, a bit of a fraud - i have taken so much from these threads and dont often feel like im repaying all the love and support i have received - this present has truly made my day!! thank you!!

now for the dumb blonde moment - i have realised today that for the past 2 months i have been sitting with a very famous person at AA , i wish i could say who it is but obviously i cant, but honestly, i didnt half feel a twit when i realised, i have made crude jokes, rotten tea, flirted and actually nudged this person in the ribs! OMG! and then, when i realised who 'it' was, i went all silly and and choked on a biscuit and now they think im a right thicko!

btw, i have to read all the daily papers, everyday, its my job!

be careful zany!!, two of dsil's started out with one tattoo each, they look like paintings now!

jesus you deserve many wonderful gifts because you were brave enough in the first place to open up and make that first post.

And your humour, strength and personality shine though.

Sending a hug to demented - just stick with us, there is a reason for you being here with us. Sleep well lovely.

Having the family crest (not posh just half scottish) with the kids names instead of the family motto, on my lower back. Very scared apprehensive

Evening everyone....I've had a bit of a rough few weeks (month?) and have allowed myself to slip right back to where I was when I first joined the thread. I'm not sure why I stopped posting, but I do know that it allowed me to start drinking again without having to think about what I was doing. I don't want to do that any more.
Can I hop back on?
I have tried to change my name (still stuck in the halloween timezone but can't remember my password!)

Hi Campers

I'm still here but mega busy at work - just popping in to say hello xxxxxx [fknackered emoticon] xxxx

Hi witchety, nice to see you around again. I have spent so many years doing just what you described - cutting down, slipping, back to drinking. It's a bit of a relief now not to be in that cycle today.

(I think if you clikc 'log in' right at the top of the page, there is a link you can click if you have forgotten your password).

Also, for those who have been messing around struggling with strikeouts, you have to put the _ symbols around each word, it doesn't work if you put them around the complete phrase.