The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Spring Into Summer.

[Mouseface]

Hello

Welcome to The Brave Babes Battle Bus.

This is a quest full of Babes, all fighting to remain sober, cut down or are somewhere in between right now.

You ticket to travel is free, it won't expire, and the Bus will always be here, even if there are days when you are not. So come say hi.

I'm Mouse. I have a thing for cheese and vodka, not together, well, not always!

Here is a LINK to the last thread, where you can read all of the previous threads and the journeys so far.

Hi, i'll get straight to the point. I'm struggling with a capital STRU. I dont know if it is some mad reaction to a first anniversary looming, or the sunny weather, or the fact that things have been a bit stressful, but are about to calm down again?? I have resisted posting, not sure why really. I am right back to where I was debating why on earth I shouldn't have a glass of wine tonight. I know that one glass won't do though. I am desperately trying to understand the process in my head, but I'm a mystery to myself By the way burying Bernard the Gerbil last week didn't start me off he was four after all. Don't know why I'm even posting. I'm off to give alcohol an ugly face, top tip JWN x

Hey MIF

MissP - you've answered your own ponderings. 'I know that one galss won't do though'

Nope, it won't. It'll make you feel sick though, and cheated, and like an utter failure. So, why bother? It's so nice today...... lots and lots of N&T's for me here. A great time to expereiment with a few more non alcoholic drinks ready for the lazy summer's evening ahead of me.

BBQ, beautiful weather, my dear family and thank Jeff, no whiff of chip fat!

Miss P - you've done so well, a wobble is to be expected but I bet you've seen off those thoughts before over this past year and never regretted not having that first drink? Join me and the lovely mouse in the garden for a few N&Ts, mouse can russle us up some fish and chips burgers and sausages and maybe supply a few hunky firemen for our entertainment

I've been playing the film through to the end today whilst shopping and watching folk load their trolleys high to the top with beer and wine. I pictured myself hanging over the toilet bringing it all back up (whilst possibly wetting myself and then checking my call history tomorrow morning and wondering what the hell I've said to who and why!

Today I will not be drinking.

hmm, firemen you say! luvvly jubbly!!!

went to my ladies meeting today - was the best meeting i have ever been to!, i feel calm, serene, positive and all fired-up! all at once!

now, im off out to a party this evening, its a lovely evening, friends garden will look stunning, patio full of flowers, water feature trickling and the booze will be flowing!, HOWEVER, none of the above is a reason for me to throw away all the hard work, the pain, the tears etc of the past year so

TODAY I WILL NOT BE DRINKING!!!

and believe me, if i can do it, so can anyone of you!!

pep talk over! have a lovely sober evening and tomorrow will be just and bright and sunny as today has been - drink and it will feel grey and dull and miserable!

L XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hello to littlebubbles well done for posting - it's always difficult to make your first post, but if you've been lurking for long you'll know that pretty much whatever you post on here is OK. If you're finding it tough tonight, then stick around, reading and posting people will come up with losts of good ideas to help.

Seems that lots are struggling in the heat and sunshine. I totally agree with playing the film through to the end. Although there's something tempting and very appealing about a fresh glass of ice-cold something, with water condensed on the outside of the glass, I know that if the glass contains wine / gin / vodak / pimms / whatever, then the end result will be more and more. Instead a cool glass of something crisp, I'd end up slurping luke warm rubbish. And instead of me being coole and refreshed, there'd be a photo of me at the end of the evening with a big red sweaty face, dishevelled hair, desperate for a pee....

I think that my glass of ice cold something tonight, will indeed have water condensed on the outside, but the contents will be freshly squeezed lime juice, with ice cold soda and just a touch of sugar. Mmmmm.

Plus, earlier this week I had a long boat trip on rough seas. Very, very sick (sick emoticons)

I had forgotten just how awful it is to puke - that sweaty, clammy, hyperventilating stage beforehand, the shivering afterwards (not to mention the actual puking bit!). And the headache from dehydration... And to think that I used to voluntarily get myself into a state where that was likely. I was mad.

Oops, I meant tinybubbles, apologies for getting your name wrong.

thanks venus ...i feel a bit of a fraud as my drinking doesn't really seem to cause me many problems...i don't throw up, drunk dial or have arguments, i don't really get hangovers and it doesn't affect my life that much...however i know that drinking a bottle of wine or more a night is not good for me, talking 'at' instead of 'to' my DH before falling asleep on the sofa is not good for me, and potentially giving myself illnesses that compromise my ability to look after my kids (including DS with ASD) is not good for me.

After one glass of wine I am relaxed, more fun and feel great, but my real problem is that i find it nigh on impossible to stop a one glass

Hi Tiny bubbles I used to think that I functioned pretty well. Held down a demanding job, wasn't too horrid to my family, did n't get into too many difficult situations etc. But I did worry about the long term effect on my health, I was depressed, I was ashamed of myself for my lack of 'self control'. Since I stopped drinking I feel like a completely different person - you know the berrocca ad - 'like me but better'. I feel happy with myself, and other people are noticing it too, DH is happier without the unpredictability of my reactions and grumpiness in the mornings - maybe you don't have classic hangover symptoms, but I bet you feel some effect from drinking that much, and you know it isn't really 'normal' to not have a hangover if you are drinking a bottle or more of wine, unfortunately you are becoming acclimatised.
So give it a go, just for today, lets raise a glass of long cold N & T or N & orange or N and anything

Hi I went for a long walk, forced my son to come too and we chatted madly all the way. Then I cooked dinner early as we were starving. I had 2 n&t's and I feel much better, for now anyway. Thank you for your support and welcome Tinybubbles I love your name

BB I have never had hangovers - don't know why??? But yes, your post says how I feel - I want to be like myself but better, I want to have fun and relax without needing a glass (or vat) of wine and I want to feel in control of myself and my choices. DH has just got home with a case of wine. Tonight I will be drinking...but just fizzy water

Well done TinyBubbles - I'll raise my glass of fresh orange and lemonade (thanks Zany!) and we can toast to feeling in control

DP is still trying to light the BBQ! I've kept myself busy cleaning the bathroom, downstairs loo and have washed away about a year's worth of small handprints from the stair/landing wall. I wouldn't usually spend my Friday night cleaning (unheard of!) but I can honestly say I have a bit more energy than usual, despite it only being day 4 for me.

Hope all the babes are having a nice evening

tiny like you, I didn't think that drinking affected my daily life too much - I am self employed and was managing that OK, like you I didn't really have hangovers (unless I drank brandy - which always made me sick - well it would after a couple of big gins, a bottle of wine and half a bottle of brandy ), and I didn't think my family were too affected. But I've since discovered that it wasn't normal to drink a pint of water during the night to rehydrate, or to wake up feeling groggy and dull, or to feel so lethargic during the daytime that I came perilously close to missing important work deadlines, or ALWAYS be the person who'd had the most to drink at parties.

I've now discovered 'normal' life and I get loads more done at work, I'm generally much happier and chirpier, and I'm saving a blooming fortune. IT's all good.

Welcome tiny! :)

Yes the alck of hangovers is a bit of a telltale sign. I am on again off again after a long period of sobriety and a year of steady drinking. I now get really horrible hangovers and feel blurred, nauseous and exhausted. I LOVE the energy I have when sober for any length of time. I want to regain the energy, maturity and calm that seem to comw wiht being sober. And the extra cash.

I am doing OK today. Friday night and sober! Hurrah.

Today I didn't drink.

Are the Babes having a good night? Anyone around this evening?

Hey Venus
I am here
Everything OK??

Morning

Hope you're OK venus?

Day 5 here; had a huge lie in this morning, woke up feeling groggy and for a horrible moment panicked and thought I'd been drinking! Was such a relief to come to and know that I hadn't picked up last night.

Hope everyone is OK? Been meaning to ask after qo, last time I rad a post from her she was doing great, hope she's still doing well.

Morning Babes

Was up at 6.30 today and out walking by 6.50, listening to the birds -did a 5 hr hike with the dogs up valleys, across moors, and down leafy lanes.

It's amazing what wonderful free gifts come your way when there's no hangover to fight. And to think I would pay for the privilege of feeling that bad. Madness.

Hope everyone is having a good day and enjoying the sun while it lasts.
x

I realise I've been drinking far, far too much. Seems every year got a little more stressful that the last and with it came a reason to have another glass of wine. Finally have managed to get to day 3 of not drinking! Have had horrible indigestion for 2 days (related?). One day I hope to be able to have a few glasses of wine to enjoy instead of hoofing most or all of a bottle to numb myself.......but, for now, I don't think cutting down will do, I think I need to rip of the plaster and face it head on. I feel rubbish!!!! (Could also be because a month ago I ripped off the plaster of ADs.) I just want to be rid of all the chemical stuff and get back to me.

Lucozade? Did someone say Lucozade? Might need to go out for some.

May I shelter in here for a bit? I don't think I am capable of giving any advice or support right now, but I will eventually. For now, I so need to curl up on your couch and just breathe in and out. May I? You do have a couch on this bus right????

Hi there frumpy welcome aboard, curl up in a comfortable place, we'll look after you. What can we get you - a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake? Or some refreshing fizzy elderflower juice? We'll soothe your brow, massage your tired shoulders. All you have to is lie there and be kind to yourself.

You might find that you feel a bit out of sorts for a few days, maybe not sleeping so well, maybe feeling a bit headachey. Don't worry, it's just your body settling down and getting back to normal. Within a couple of weeks you'll find your eyes are brighter, your hair looks better and you'll have a spring in your step

Phew, busy couple of days DIY and stuff here.

Welcome to bubbles and frumpy

Welcomefrumpy

What is helping me is stocking up on lots of cheap fizzy water from Tescos ( 16p a bottle) and then buying some gorgeous expensive cordials to mix in with it - Bottlegreen do some fabulous ones and Tesco's top of range cordials are lovely too.

Also exploring teas -drink too much coffee and that's nor great if prone to digestive disturbances.

Afternoon all

I am currently a covered in little green splodges, fortunately they are of the Cuprinol variety . Have spent the morning sanding and repainting my outside bench, the poor thing is 12 years old and hasn't seen a lick of paint in all that time!!
So I got up and went to B&Q this morning, and have spent the last two hours painting it, and it is looking lovely! Yesterday I spent the afternoon getting all my pots looking lovely, and by tonight I will have a lovely fresh looking bench to sit on. Tis amazing how much you can actually achieve in the weekend when you are not hungover to buggery , just a pity that the weather is not playing ball - but oh well when it does, I will be ready

Hope everyone else is having a safe sober and productive weekend.

Love to all
Bafana
xx

Hey Bafana

We are tyring like mad to get all of our DIY indoors and outdoors sorted this weekend. I'm desperate to educate DH that if you start a room, it's nice to finish said room.

DD's fouton has arrived and has been put together so her room is almost complete. A real grown up room Just Nemo's to sort next......

It's never ending is it?

Day 6 - Saturday...i'd normally be opening the wine about now and sink a couple of bottles by the time i fell asleep...but not today tonight i will be getting some work done, watching BGT and eating yummy dinner cooked by DH. I will not, however, be drinking