The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Head To The Summer Of Sobriety

[Mouseface]

Hello

I'm Mouse

Welcome aboard The Brave Babe's Battle Bus. There are a whole host of lovely posters here who will support your journey to sobriety, however you choose to get there.

We are a Bus full of drinkers, non-drinkers and those who are somewhere in between.

BUT - we will never judge or leave a poster out in the cold. So, find a seat and settle down for the journey ahead.

And HERE is the last thread and those before it too. Just follow the links to read the journeys so far.

Just got in from a bit of a do. OMG I am so glad I am sober now.
A woman at my table (never met her before) was immaculate at the beginning of the evening, designer outfit, v. posh shoes JWN, expensive hair, nails etc etc; half way through the evening a bit loud, arguing with her DH; at the end of the evening staggering, lairy, shouting out rude comments to the poor guy trying to call the raffle, embarasssing everyone around her including her adult son. Poor, poor woman, there but by the grace of God go I...
A stark reminder....

morning all, sorry you were alone last night Venus.
it's grey and raining here so another soggy Race for Life coming up later on today...wish me luck as I squelch round the course. wish I hadn't had a couple of glasses of wine last night
Going to try really hard this week to get a grip of it as am making progress with other things and feeling a bit more positive overall.
Looking forward to Thursday venus with some trepidation
How is everyone else?
Waves to BwannaB.
Thurso how's things?

Good Luck Ma!!!

Rusmum how did you you get on last night, day 4 today?

Good luck ma!

I was home last night but my teenager was hogging my laptop so I wasn't online. I could have been at the convention disco but it really didn't appeal.

The convention was good. I was fully prepared to send a large part of the day listening to a southern yank bashing his bible (and hating it) but it wasn't like that at all. The day consisted of several 1-1.5 hr talks going through his experience of the steps. He was thoughtful, funny and honest. I didn't stay for the whole thing, I left after step 9 because I was getting tired and had stopped listening properly. It hasn't entirely put aside my AA wobbles but it certainly cheered me up a bit

Today's dilemma is: what should I do in the sunshine? I have several things I want/need to do, none of which involve being outdoors but I don't want to waste a lovely day.

Hello all, have been lurking here for a while but would like to come on board the bus. Have decided I must stop drinking, I know it's no good for me. I don't particularly enjoy drinking, I just do it to deal with stress and depression, although it really only makes things worse. I'm aware of that, but it seems I never learn as I've been trying and failing to stop for years. I haven't drunk for a week now and am coming round to the idea that I should never drink again. It's hard to think of parties, weddings etc. without drinking, but I've decided that for dc's sake I must start taking care of myself.

morning all!! welcome to the bus lucyboots

I was home alone last night venus but grabbed the opportunity to watch some films I've been saving up - withnail and I, and youth in revolt - withnail was great the other one was just ok. then I started re-watching twin peaks

Good luck ma hope you don't get too wet and muddy!!

Hope everyone has a great day!!

Hi lucy, welcome aboard

Well done on a week! Have you read BB's post from last night about the woman from the wedding? There's a good enough reason to stay sober in public, at least I was at a wedding evening party myself last week and the feeling the next morning of knowing that I was entirely well behaved and could remember everything was great In the past I would have been waking up feeling regret and panic about what I might have said or done.

Apart from the last few days when my mood has taken a tumble, I've found that in the last 6 (sober) weeks I've been on a much more even keel which makes life much easier to deal with. More patience with the kids too, which can't hurt.

Hello lucyboots and well done on a week without drinking. I think that the best advice for the moment is to take it a little at a time, concentrate on learning and understanding the things that tempt you to drink, and the best ways for you to protect yourself against giving in to temptation. As you do that you will build up a list of tactics that help you, which you can use if you are going to a party etc.

I would also say, don't worry about what is ahead. I could not have imagined getting through a wedding without lots to drink, but I was at one recently and I noticed that I was happier and more relaxed without that endless hunt for alcohol and I wasn't tempted at all. I recall that as a woman who 'enjoyed a couple of drinks' , weddings could the most frustrating events of all. A glass of fizz was usually served early (whetting my appetite), then because of the costs, drinks were usually severely limited in number, so there was a big gap until the drink served with the meal. Drinks during the meal were calculated for moderate drinkers, so unless I was at a table with 8 non-drinkers, I was facing another frustrating period. Then the speeches and toasts. One lousy glass and no way to escape. Then another embarassing wait while everyone had a cup of tea and some cake, until the bar opened. Then the price of drinks!

Not given up already! Was out at a wedding do last night (on lime and soda!)

Yes day 4 today. It may be psycholigical but I feel less bloated and my skin feels better!

Good for you rusmum, and yes you probably will feel and look better. One of the things that alcohol does to your body is deplete vitamin B (stops it being absorbed in the gut). When you look at all the subtle (and not so subtle) things that the B vitamins are responsible for it is not surprising that we see an improvement pretty quickly - hair, nails, skin, libido, proper functioning of the nervous system, efficient metabolism, prevention of aneamia, prevention of pancreatic cancer......

I have particularly noticed that the skin on my feet which was horrible and red and itchy and cracked, is now much smoother.

ma when you get back from your run, can you have a look out for my washing which has blown away? Sheets and pillow cases were on the line - now sheet and duvet cover are left, one pillow case was blowing around in the garden, the others have disappeared. From the wind direction, I think they're heading your way. Serves me right for putting the washing out on the Sabbath!

at venus I'll keep an eye out for it.
I did the run, I did it in a new personal best of 32 minutes! 5K in 32 minutes!!! Thought I was going to throw up at the finish line and was almost sobbing with exhaustion and effort by the end, but I got there. I feel very proud - but why can I force myself beyond the limits to do this but can't seem to stop myself lifting a glass
Anyway. lets stick with the positives - I DID IT!!!!!!

Hi all

I have been umming and ahhing about posting on here since I found the site a few days ago, so here goes. I think I need to stop drinking completely but am not sure, iyswim. I would like to have one or two social drinks when I am out but I never seem to be able to stop there. At home, I have even less control! I have made a plan to not drink anything for one month, then have a really good, sensible TWO glassses of wine with a large meal. Then, if I can do that, have nothing at all until the next social event. Does this sound like a workable plan or am I just kidding myself? Today I will not be drinking.

ma Well done you! What a great thing to do - were you being sponsored this time? I remember doing a sponsored walk as a teen - the walk was OK, but going round collecting the money afterwards was miserable, it took weeks. Thank goodness for on-line sponsorship.

hi to fairenuff (one of my favourite puns btw). What you are doing today is great - deciding and stating that you will not be drinking today. As for the rest - who knows? Really. Just focus on today. If it works for you, then tomorrow you can wake up and decide to do the same again. And then the next day. Maybe after a month of that you'll have broken the back of your bad habit, but that is another 28 days away, so why worry now. For today, just ENJOY being sober. Yes, enjoy. Not penance, not lent, not days to be suffered through - if you read some of the posts on here you will see how much better people feel about their mental health, their skin their hair - it is all to be enjoyed, day by glorious day.

Thanks venus that's lovely, positive encouragement and great advice. I will take that advice, one day at a time.

Maaaa!!!!! you are ACE.

great news rusmum congrats on day 4
welcome fairenuff
Another weekend over, have a good week everyone x

Hi, not sure if anyone's around. I posted then ran last week. I'm ashamed to say that I can't remember when I last had a sober day. Weeks...months? Anyway I've been sober today (with a bad head). I've wasted today and there's so much I need to do.

I'm crying but at least I'm not drinking...and at least I'll wake up with a clear head and some energy tomorrow.

I think you're all amazing

Hi Whinebox I'm here. Have also been feeling awful all day hence my first post on this thread. Well now you can remember your last sober day cos it was today and that's certainly not a day wasted. Well done. Hope someone more helpful will come along but I'll be around for a bit.

Welcome to the bus "WineBox". You have found a safe haven in the form of a virtual bus full of women (and a man) who totally understand why you're crying.
Stick around and get to know us all.
You've come to the right place.

Thanks Fairenuff and luci. Hey Fairenuff, you're doing okay! Thanks for your encouragement even though you're feeling crap. And luci - what a lovely welcome.

I think I'm crying because I'm a sad fuck who feels sorry for herself

I've been drinking too much wine for too long. Alone, in the house. Only me and the recycle men know how much I drink. Wine boxes are the work of the devil - they don't make that tell-tale clank when you're getting rid of the empties...and you can't tell how much you've had. This is not a good place to be.

Evening Babes

Just wanted to check in and welcome the new arrivals on the bus.

I have now been sober for 9 days

The last couple of days have been horrific. I have been at the hospital since 9pm on Friday with my Uncle who passed away this evening at 6.30pm aged 50 from cancer of the pancreas. It was the most harrowing ordeal of my life but as a family we never left his side and supported his 17 year old daughter through it. When we all got home this evening the family all started drinking. I abstained. Didn't feel like it and am still on the antibiotics. Feel pleased that I did not submit to the pressure and am still doing well.

Unfortunately alcohol was his poison, and to see a life cut short because of it has made me even more determined to sort my drinking out. Blood test results on Tuesday morning at 9am so will know then where o stand.

Have been thinking of you all whilst we were sitting there and knowing that I can do this once and for all. Not sure my family can take any more deaths ultimately caused by booze.

Will be back on board properly in the next couple of days - well done to everyone who is still sober. Xxx

Sharpkat so sorry for your loss and so impressed with your progress abd resolve. Wishing you the best of luck with your tests.
Whinebox welcome aboard, wineboxes are indeed the work of the devil! Off to work now, but have a good day babes.

welcome Whinebox - great name. We have all been there, some of us still are there. You will find help here, and no judgement.
Sharpkat sorry for you loss and the horrendous last few days. Stay strong.
Getting worried about Indie - anyone heard anything?

morning all!!

well done on the run ma, that's FANTASTIC!! and not something I'm sure I could do to be honest. I was also wondering about isindie she's so funny and sharp, I certainly noticed she wasnt around even though I've only been back on the net a few days. Hope you're ok isindie if you're reading this :)

well done on the wedding rusman I found that once I started going out socially without drink, I actually enjoyed myself more which gave me a boost plus strengthened my resolve that I can do this, it isn't so bad - in fact it's GOOD!!! hope you have the same feeling :)

sharpkat so sorry to hear about your loss, lots of love & strength to you xx

I had a phonecall last night asking if dd could go on holiday with her auntie(on her dads side) TODAY!! so I'm running round like a mad thing ironing and packing - be back later, have a great day everyone xxx