The Brave Babes Battle Bus - We're All Going On A Sober Holiday!

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse

Welcome to the Brave Babe's Bus. This is a bus full of drinkers old and new, sober and not, and those who are somewhere in between.

We are all at different levels of sober so you can bet that one of us has walked in your shoes.

If you want advice and support then you're in the right place.

Come take a seat or just lurk, we're happy to have you along for the ride.

And here is a link to the last thread so you can catch up on the journey so far HERE

I have two 2 litre bottles of Elderflower Champers that DH made from the Radio Times or Country File sat at the top of the cellar. That's when you know you're getting past the pub scene!

silent - I'm so very sorry that you are having to endure this frightful time. Not knowing where to turn etc. I'm going to bed now but if you like, you could PM me more details about your brother if you don't want to go into detail here, I will see if I can suggest a better way forward for him, I have a few friends in MH care. And also my own experiences that may help?

I fully appreciate that you don't 'know' me but if I can help, I'd like too. You really do need a bit of hand holding right now lovely. You seem so small and scared. xx

Right, CSI and bedfordshire here I come. Oh, and I need a diet plan that works. Something that involves loads of cheese, chocolate, pizza and potatoes. I refuse to give them up for anything or anyone.

Come back to me with ideas Babes

Night, sleep well and safely all. xxxx

Slice cucumbers really thin, put some salt and vinegar on them and pretend you're eating crisps

Night Mouse

Mmm, I love salted cucumber. Especially those little ones that are more crunchy and tasty.

I need to go on a diet too ... bugger all chance right now though.

Fuck fuck fuck. Wanted to post positively that I'm back on the bus and on day 2, not smoking or eating crap either, which is great but it's just taken me half-an-hour to name-change because I'm STUPID and forget how to do it every time and now I'm crying again ffs.

and you're all so sensible and go to bed early and I don't know how the hell you can sleep without a drink.

But - it's day 2 - yay!

Well done Whinebox I'm still up but about to get off to bed now.

No drinking, smoking or eating crap is positive and you are certainly NOT stupid. As for me, well, 2 out of 3 aint bad.

Chin up Chuck!

Hi everyone, I'm notevenamousie and I'm an alcoholic. For me, it was an important realisation because it has allowed me to learn why I am the way I am, and find the solution (which I can take hold of or reject on any given day).
I scored 17 on the test listed and could have gone either way with it this time last year, stuff your stupid questionnaire or denial.
Actually, just over a year ago I was teaching about the AUDIT screening tool (probably the gold standard in this country) here and in total denial, when I came to my knees I found I scored 31 on it.

silent have you ever considered Al-Anon? They sound great from a few people I've spoken too, their aim is to stop, as you said, "hurting yourself on his behalf".

Hello to friends old and new. Things are ok here, have a new sponsor after my relapse, she is brilliant for me. And it's all sunny outside - really can't complain!

Love to all x

Morning all, and thanks for your post last night, Fairenuff. I did sleep (right through!) and things look brighter today.

My posts so far have been dead wingy, I'm sorry. I've just started on ADs (another reason to stop drinking - they make the hangovers worse) because I've been tearful alot. But feeling more positive today.

Thank you, Mouse. I will certainly bear it in mind. He threatened to shoot himself and his (paranoid schizophrenic) wife called the police to have his gun licence removed. He has been referred by his gp to a psychiatrist, and given some tranquilisers. He doesn't take the drugs and probably won't get to see the shrink, saying his wife needs it more than he does. He lives in an area with pretty good MH facilities. My mum's Alzheimer's nurse is excellent and understands well the problems in the family. Unfortunately, my brother , being an adult, does not need to heed advice unless he is sectioned. Anyway, being totally powerless to do anything about him, or the the lunatic behaviour that goes on in my parental family, I can only try to look after myself.

There was an All In the Mind radio programme about how siblings deal with each others mental health issues. I will listen to it again.

Today I am feeling rather gloomy and still crying over the death of our little duckling. I don't think it is the death of the animal in particular, but the other issues it raises.

On a positive note, I have kept my drinking habits within 'sensible' levels all week. If I fail to maintain it, I will have to consider stopping drinking altogether. Into the Future!!

MOrning everyone

Well I am annoyed at myself, drank far too much last night, met a friend for a drink and we got through 3 bottles of wine with me drinking it like water. I haven't had that much in ages but I just feel so pissed off with things recently. Worried sick about lump still, lots of tension with XH to the point where its best that we don't talk, XDP still asks for another chance (urm no), DD being a nightmare challenge, not managed to lose much weight, lots to do/fix in the house and feeling confused about how I feel about emotionally abusive from a year ago after seeing him at Glastonbury. God I need a holiday

Going to pull my socks up and not drink today

Hi Babes

Have had a productive morning sorting out lots of stuff which I've let slide over the last few weeks of drinking in the evenings. Have also - a first - admitted to someone in officialdom that I'm struggling with stuff (not drink related). I'm a bustling, bossy busy-body in RL, and the role of 'helpee' doesn't come naturally. I'm trying to convince myself that asking for help does me a weakling make, but I remain dubious.

Noteven-it's good to hear from you, you sound so much brighter and more resolute.

Zany, Winnie, Silent-sorry for a lazy catch-all response, but wishing you all strength with your personal struggles.

Ma-how are you after the crash?

Waves to everyone else.

Does 'not' me a weakling make.

Last time I try to get poetic. Isindie, where are you?!

Afternoon Babes

silent - thank you so much for explaining things to me in more detail, I know that must be hard for you, to actually see it all in black and white. TBH, I am not sure what YOU can do for him if he refuses help from elsewhere.

I hope you stick around and keep talking to us. How's the drinking going?

Hello everyone else, quiet on the Bus I see.... hmmmm, maybe I should put some snacks out?

Wish me luck, I'm off to a toddlers party shortly. He is a child who has everything. I mean everything. So I chickened out and gave him cash!

Bye for now Babes, keep going xx

Afternoon all. Just wasting a bit of time until it's time to collect the kids from their nurseries. Silent, your brother sounds in a very bad place. You need to put yourself first though.

Someone mentioned Indie. Anyone know if she's ok. I miss her.

luci - she is fine! just really busy!

like me! must go and get on!

15. Stupid test anyway

Hello new thread! (haven't read back yet, I hope you're not still argy bargying. Been staying away for a few days because of that. Debate is good but I wasn't in the mood for it, sorry.

Evening Brave Babes

Just popping in to say I have had such a busy day and my gorgeous (yes I know I'm biased) is fast asleep and has been since 6pm due to 2 hours at soft play! Bless him.

Anyway, hope you are all okay?

Golly - nice to see you

thurso - where are you? I'm worried about your lack of posting now you have lots of time on your hands..... are YOU ok? Talk to us.

Night all, stay strong xx

Oh and BTW, qo - if you are out there, I really wish you'd consider coming back. I hope you are okay xx

Hello wasindie - I'm a long time lurker and sometimes poster. Had to name change as I'd stupidly let my posting name be recognised by RL peeps.
How are you? You've been missed on the thread methinks
Oh yes, new thread, I'm Benfoldsten and I'm still struggling with alcohol, wish I could change the record!

Sidles on board having missed all the last few days...morning everyone..

MOrning all! So far, it's been a good week in the alcohol dept. A bottle of wine over 3 days and a couple of tins of beer over last weekend. If I can maintain this level of drinking without going overboard, I will be a happy bunny! It is so important to remember that the bus needs steering!! Sometimes it's not that easy with such an unwieldy juggernaut.
It's good to be in good company. I dread the idea of a long bus journey. The all so familiar scenario, crushed in your seat by the biggest smelliest (usually male) passenger who won't stop talking at you.

It's a dull drizzly day here and I have to go and do some work. I am going to make a cake today. And tomorrow. My wrists... Oh my wrists. Whack whack whack. We don't have an electric hand whisk, and I don't make cakes very often, apart from birthdays and very special occasions!

Morning Isindie, great to see you back, you have been missed. How are things with you?

IsinDe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, how are you sweetheart? You have been soooooooooooooooooooooo missed.

Anyway, get your lovely backside on the Bus and have a , DH is just making sausage butties if you fancy one? And a butty?

Morning all.

Sausages, you say?!

Hello Isinde . How's things?

I'd love a buttie Mouse.

Today I will NOT be drinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feeling horrendous after a week of wine guzzling. Full of remorse and self-loathing today.