The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Carry On Into 2011!

[Mouseface]

Hello and a Happy New Year!

I'm Mouse, one of the passengers on this wonderful journey to sobriety!

We are a real mixed bunch of people, all trying to control or give up the booze - ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Come meet the others.........

And here are the previous threads, the journeys so far

Popping in briefly - back from work and getting ready to go out. I'm spending the evening with my biggest drinking-buddy so I'll be sticking close to everyone looking out for some good vibes. I don't have a clever i-phone thingy, so I can't send any messages, but I can see internet stuff so I will look out for a wee supportive message or two [pathetic, pleading emoticon]

Over the last few months every time my friend and I have met up there has been a good reason for not drinking (once I was ill, once she was on antibiotics, once I had to drive) and I sense that she is looking for a good skinful and a drunken girly natter. I will need all my tactics, which are as follows:

• my first drink will be cranberry, lime and soda (because I am very thirsty).
• second drink will be the same (my, that was so good, I think I'll have another)
• by then we will be in restaurant, so she'll order a bottle of wine and will pour me a glass. I will either accept and leave it there (it wouldn't be the first time I've done that) or decline altogether pleading a headache (probably due to too much cranberry juice or impending cold)
• we'll go for a nightcap on our way to the station and I'll have a hot chocolate (because of the cold, cold weather).

If it all feels too much I'll go to the loo and look at the internet for a supportive message from you lot to encourage me [2nd pleading pathetic emoticon].

venus
I'll be thinking of you, and sending you the power .

You did what you wanted to do for so long, and I feel that you are now wanting to do the same.

I am in the same boat (or bus!), although i didn't absain for nearly as long as you. But I really, really want to get back to my six weeks of complete abstension, and then some!. No projecting though .

Let's get through tonight together. I won't if you won't [kiddie icon!]. Seriously though, I thought if I could do New Years Eve sober, I could do any old time, but it didn't work out that way. So, one little bit at a time.

xx

abstain - not sliding down a mountain with a glass in my hand

venus

these are for you for later, but you won't need them

Venus, can you talk to her about it? I know it's incredibly difficult, but if she's a really good friend she'll probably want to listen.

I fell out with my best drinking mate when she stopped - it took a long time, but eventually we rebuilt the friendship and it survived without the booze, which I'm so thankful for. I felt a bit shut out of her 'non-drinking world' and wish that she had talked to me a bit more about it.

I just think it might be good to be honest, if it's someone you know well, rather than having to resort to subterfuge and excuses. It might be a shock for her at first, but would it be worth trying?

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Thanks Brave Babes i'm chuffed at your "Well Dones"
Desire in answer to your question... Six months ago I was stuck on a horrible treaadmill of acknowledgment, denial, failure. My mind was locked onto alcohol like a guided missile, it seemed to occupy my every waking thought. I would obsess about it so much it became exhausting and frankly boring. It was reading JWN's first thread that made me realise that I really did have a problem, and it was time to grow up and take ownership of it. I cried like a baby, but then felt a huge wave of relief.
I am truly so much happier now, I don't miss alcohol. I don't crave it, it gave me nothing and took too much. I believe that stopping is as easy, or as hard as we as individuals make it. I have tried both ways!! Blimy huge post for me sorry. x

Venus You can do this, i'm willing you to x

venus loads of vibes winging their way to you.

MissP well done you - thats fantastic.

Evening everyone else, just dashing in and out - off to a meeting this evening. And looking for a peaceful weekend with the kids.

Love to all
K

Hi Venus
I think you should be honest with your friend, tell her you have decided to stop drinking because you felt you were drinking too much. You don't have to mention the A word

I found that when I said this to my friends they were not shocked or surprised, and were respectful of my wish, ie not saying 'go on just have the one' etc etc. You may also find that she would like to have some of the strength that you are displaying.

Have a lovely evening.
XX

just popping in to say hi and well done to those who are clocking up sober days. i actually bought wine yesterday, had one glass, poured another and realised i wasn't even enjoying it so chucked it down the sink and went to bed. How in the name of God did i manage to drink a bottle a night as recently as two weeks ago?

Just say nighty night all.

Venus I hope you are doing ok, honey.

Ma Well done, have a good nights sleep
Miss P Congratulations

Wishing you all a sound sleep, and Isindie and Milflaw babies .

Hi Venus - sending you strong, positive vibes. These also to anyone fighting the wobbles tonight.

I hope you have all had a really great evening.

This is my first wine free Friday for a long time. I am looking forward to a clear headed morning tomorrow.

Sweet dreams.

Hi Campers

Just checking in - not had a chance to get on computer, let alone post between DD and brother hogging PC. However I have just got back from the cinema and have been sober for 4 days - going to lots of meetings - also why I've not been around to post.
Too tired to read back now but will catch up tomorrow.

Nite BB's xxxxxxx

Happy Days everyone:) I did it . . My first night out in years without one drop of alcohol passing my lips, am so happy with myself. The people I was out with are all drinkers and at the start of the night my excuse for being on anti-biotics was accepted then a few drinks in some of them were informing that it is only a myth that you can't drink when on anti-biotics.

The funniest part of the night was when I went to the bar to get my diet coke, my aunt was insisting on buying my drink, I kept saying "no you're grand, am just getting diet coke", she finally realised I was serious and said "I'm not buying you a f...ing diet coke" with a look of pure disgust on her face:) She is normally such a lady and would die if I repeated the above to her.

And finally (am posting in short posts because am afraid internet connection will go and I will lose all I have written) it was a brilliant night, lovely meal and then back to pub in town for live musicm bit of dancing and major sing song, happy happy days:)
Good night everyone and Venus I hope your night went well.

Morning all,

desire well done you. You sound so strong and so well and I hope you wake up feeling ahppy and sober this morning.
venus how did you get on? Hope you have that serenity this morning that is such an example to me
Mouse how is lovely Nemo this morning - and did DH do the night shift as planned?
MissP thank you for sharing your story - and well done on 6 months!
Isindie how was your night?

It's good to wake up sober. Especially with a DD that thinks 5:20 is time to get up at full speed. Must teach her to tell the time.

I had not the easiest day yesterday but I got through it without a drink and I am learning every day.
One day at a time - today I've hoovered and cleaned the kitchen and bathroom and bathed me and DD. AA meeting tonight and I just have to live today.

Hi WasIndie I'm so glad you had a good night with your little ones last night, let's hope Mouse did as well.

Re the headache, you know not all headaches are hangovers, people who don't drink to excess sometimes wake up with headaches. I think we tend to put all illness symptoms down to our drinking habits... You may not have had enough (quantity) of liquids in general yesterday and be a bit dehydrated, especially if the curry was salty. I also remeber in the dim and distant past, one of my DC was a terrible insomniac, but I actually felt worse on the rare mornings that DC had slept better - maybe less adrenaline running or something?

Yay DTC well done! How lovely to be able to relive the memory of last night complete and with happiness.

Isindie You and me both, darling.

I woke up, got up, and have tried to work from 8.30, but have a really bad headache, and feel sick as anything.

I didn't have anything to drink at all last night, except for the sleepy time tea, but I did go to bed quite late, and didn't get much sleep. I was also reading a book until 12, and I think that scrambled my brains a bit!

Ah well, back to the spreadsheet [fed up icon]. xx

Gnome, Silver, Desire, Noteven well done ladies . I hope you feel better than I do!

Venus How did it go?
Mouse Big night tonight
JWN I hope you are feeling better.

OK, I am Ms procrastinator, back to work !

Morning Brave Babes!

desire - WELL DONE YOU!!! You should be very proud of yourself.

It's even harder to stick to your plan when those around you are 'forcing' alcohol on you.

thurso - so the sleep fairy wasn't with you either? Bugger, I was hoping one of you had a good night's sleep.

DH went of the biol big time last night so I swapped nights with him. He was as white as a sheet when he went to bed

Nemo had a rubbish night = Mouse has a rubbish night. DD slept like a log! Bless her.

Anyway, date night tonight which should be nice

venus - how do you get on lovely??

JWN - I hope you are feeling much better today?

'did' you get on?