The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Carry On Past the Valentine's Wining and Dining

[notevenamousie]

Following on from jesuswhatnext and her original very successful thread and all the many others here , this is the Brave Babes Battle Bus, sharing struggles, thoughts, experience, strength and hope concerning life but more specifically our relationship with, and our journey through, cutting down or cutting out alcohol.

There is no judging or nastiness, just support for whatever works, and if we fall out of the bus we are always welcomed back on when we are ready with open arms and listening ears.

I'm notevenamousie and I'm an alcoholic. I abused and was dependent on alcohol for months if not even a couple of years. I feel a hundred times better physically, emotionally, spiritually, since giving in the fight with alcohol, admitting I had lost, and walking away, but it's very much one day at a time.

If you are a long time lurker, why not make this thread the one you jump in and say hello!

IsInDe

You'll sort your Snickers addiction out when the time comes, don't worry.

And I've yet to be barred from a newsagent's ...

You too.

god!, im busy for a few days and get back to find what?, a bunch of hussies! - i saw him first! (dont wory mif, i'll protect you from these strumpets! )

fantastic fantastic posts!, just what i needed to read today! thank you babes!

IsinDe - me too, honest.

Evening babes

Wow, I missed all the excitement last night - have just about caught up!!

Well done IsinDe, Ma, Qo and everyone else who's doing so well. And best wishes to those starting all over again.

I'm on day 4 here, and trying not to think too much about getting to the 1 week mark! I'm periodically tempted to drink, almost out of habit, but I seem to currently be feeling too bloody-minded to be beaten by my urges. I like a bit of competition, even when it's only with myself . Found last night hard, was tired and teary for no obvious reason, but feeling much better today, and sitting here having a big glass of water instead of a big glass of wine.

So far the best parts of not drinking (in no particular order) have been...

1. getting in the car in the morning without worrying about being pulled over and still being over the limit

2. not having to pretend I'm not hungover

3. getting more cuddles from my DH

4. managing to take off my make up and moisturise properly at night, rather than collapse into bed in an inebriated heap

5. no heart palpitations, no early morning shakes, and a digestive system which appears to be returning to normal

What occurred to me yesterday was that I need to be kinder and nicer to myself. Drinking hurts me, mentally and physically, it's not a 'treat' like I used to think - I don't think I look after myself like I should. So I'm starting to purposely do stuff like drink tea out of my nicest cups, and have baths with the 'posh' bath foam. Making the everyday special seems to be making me feel so much more contented, and so much less like I need a drink! I've seen the stuff about the wine time rituals, and pampering yourself in other ways, and it makes soooo much sense.

I hope you all have lovely abstinent/moderate evenings

hi ellie - i think you are absolutly spot on!, i really did begin to neglect myself when i was drinking, i have always taken a pride in my appearance and i was slipping into a kind of 'im not really worth it' mode of thinking - im back up to scratch these days! , i also agree about using your 'best' or 'nice' things, whats the point of having these things and then not using them? , we ARE worth the bone china cups and the posh smellies!

off to have a nice tea!, dh is out at a meeting, the house is all warm and cosy, dd is with the bf and i shall be doing my nails while i watch gok!, nice bit of a wind down after a frantic day! (fucking incredible really!, in my drinking days i would have seen all this stress and angst as a total green light for getting absolutly wasted - i cannot express how much better i feel, how i feel i can cope etc)

see you later babes!

isindie lime and tonic is my favourite combo

Ellie you are right about treats and even if money is tight we all deserve a boost, a splash of bath oil, new lipstick or box of chocs cost nothing in comparison with the multiple bottles of poison we were chucking down our necks.

Treats make this all worth while.

I'm a cheese freak, not that you'd know so prefer that over chocolate any day.

So, for me, a vintage cheddar and craked black pepper is LUSH.

And do you know? I don't even need the wine to go with it? A sparkling water is just as lush and actually cleanses the palate much better.

'cracked' even. Beyond tired now. Sorry.

mmm, fevertree ginger beer. i am discovering a whole new world of non-alcoholic beverages!

mouseface i haven't dared eat any cheese yet for fear it might kick off a red wine craving. there's nothing i like more than a piece of reblochon, or barkham blue, or mature stilton, or brie de meaux, but i think i'll have to wait until i know i can resist cracking open a primitivo to drink with it!

so i'm sticking with chocolate for now

at £350 on drink-at-home booze. i am clearly an amateur...

Hi isindie I'm feeling great thanks, and so impressed with you and Ma It is shocking to add up how much was spent on booze, but I do have to admit that I still use that cost as justification for buying other stuff and DH can't complain

Silver - Are you around?

And Desire?

And any other posters that have popped in once or twice or more.

Hey Mouse - still here, just mad busy at work, DD on PC because TV gone down - not had a chance to read back but hope everyones doing OK. x

and just to add to the growing MIFLAW club - anyone wants to diss him, you wanna have a go? - You'll have to get past me first - grrrrr - listen to the voice of experience - he know's what he's talking about............and if you stay around long enough you will realise that too - I haven't had chance to read back on the thread but I would give him my last rolo - so there [blows rasberry] xxxxxx

Hey All

Glad to hear everyone being so positive this evening.
ma and Indie Double figures - great stuff

ellie loved your list.

I have totted up that I was spending about £12 a week on ciggies and about £30 on booze, so I do treat myself, because I am worth it .

And that is alot of money that I have saved in the last 14 weeks, so nice bubble bath or a new book is truly a drop in the ocean.

Hope everyone is having a safe and sober evening.
Night BB's