The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Kicking The Devilish Demon Drink Into Touch This Hallowe'en!. Mwahahahaha!

[Mwahahahahahahahouseface]

Hello

I'm Mouse, well normally! [hgrin]

Welcome to the Bus. We are a mixed bunch of Babes, some of us drink, some of us don't and some of us are trying to find out the best way to cut down or stop completely.

There is plenty of room on the Bus for everyone so, come say hi. [hsmile]

And, if you'd like to see what brought us all here, you can read all of the past threads, including the original one by JWN RIGHT HERE

ooh maybe i could make a christmas cake? no one bothers in our family anymore so it would be nice if i did it - though i think a friend of my mum's maybe makes one for them. i'm not sure anyone is too keen on it though so maybe i could make an alternative christmas cake...? will think on.

thanks venus

BOING!!!

ive got a big day here! - dh is putting the finishing touches to my new dressing room AS WE SPEAK!! im beyond excited! A ROOM!!! all of my own!! i havent had that since i was a child!! its all sparkly with lovely mirrors and hooks and shelves for shoes and bags and scarves and make up and just STUFF!!! ive got a long hanging area for evening dresses and a short area for jackets and ive bought all new hangers in flocked purple and pink (yes! i know you are yawning isindi! )

back later babes when i have moved in!

be good!

Hi Babes,
just checking in as been so busy and the thread moves to fast for me. Welcome to the newbies ( i havent caught up grr) Special hi to venus as I'm in her neck of the woods soon and i owe her a coffee.
I havent had a drink ( a day at a time ) for 10 weeks ....AA has saved my life.
I hope you are all well and i will be back properly soon.
Today i will not be drinking
[hsmile]

Morning strawbs wonderful to hear from you again . Has it been 10 weeks already? Wow. Well done you.

Jesus How exciting! You will have such fun finding a place for everything. I went shopping for new work clothes yesterday as mine are getting a little loose. But I'm not quite ready for the next size down yet. So I am looking forward to a new wardrobe after about another 4lbs which should be 2 weeks. I can get some new autumn wear. It's nice to have the extra money to spend isn't it. I was spending about £25 a week on booze and now it's hardly anything. I have saved at least £300 I reckon.

Btw Babes the party season is only about 5 weeks away. I am going to lose 10lb by then so that I can look good for a change. Anyone want to join me? Will probably have to go 'no booze' and get some exercise but it's doable.

Saf love the name, glad you're ok my lovely. Baking sounds like a good plan for today. I've got family visiting with little ones so we are going to have Sunday lunch then carve pumpkins ready for tomorrow. I've also got a badge making machine that I want to play with. Oh and some play dough which I bought for school but my dc (aged 12 and 14) want to play with themselves .

Anyone ever heard of moon dough? It's like play dough but doesn't dry out EVER (or so it says on the box). Anyone know if that's true?

Morning all. Enjoying the extra hour without a hangover.

If you're thinking of christmas cakes, but not sure about the whole raisin/currant thing, we usually have a cake made with white fruit (pineapple, mango, etc). The closest I can find is this one www.whitings-writings.com/recipes/white_christmas_cake.htm. Makes it a bit lighter/sweeter and less like the christmas pudding you had only three hours ago and didn't really fancy anyway.

dunno faire - i avoid the stuff personally. ds won a cars play dough set by sending off a pic he and his cousin did of lightning mcqueen to a magazine. he used it a couple of times then i've hid it in the back of the pantry seriously. bad. mummy.

are you ok faire? total honesty moment - i am drinking a beer. i just really feel like it. must admit when i'm drinking i feel like i shouldn't be posting on here and am not fair on everyone but i'm trying to remind myself i am far from the only one who is totally abstaining.

sorry if this is triggery but a daytime beer of a sunday and a half term just feels really nice. my concept of 'treats' and 'relaxation' etc are so caught up in alcohol. not sure how one reprogrammes that.

and thanks spa - does it taste very different then using light fruit? i was thinking of going for a uber rich chocolate log and going crazy on decoration.

the only one who is not totally abstaining that should read.

Hi all. Have had a seriously boring weekend catching up on uni reading, DH has been a saint and is on "taking DS to scheduled activity" number 4 this afternoon. Haven't completely overdone the wine; went to the movies last night and saw The Ides of March - think it's the first time I've been to the cinema in about six years, if you discount children's movies - quite an achievement!

And have just sold DS' cotbed - makes me feel really old (even though he hasn't slept in it for about three years anyway...). Unfortunately I discovered that I had been hoarding lots of junk under it - so now need to find a new home for the junk....

Well the guests have left, pumpkins carved, play dough mashed, badges made, lunch eaten and cleared up. Time to sit down and . . . relax.

I am doing ok thanks Saf but had a little wine with lunch. I am with you on the Sunday/holidays relaxing with a drink mood. It's a toughie. But I think what you and I have both learned now is not to have too much. To try and moderate with a view to cutting back again. I could never do that before I got on this bus. I would always drink too much.

I am all geared up for Monday. I am keen to get back on the diet and I have no big social occasions until Christmas so am going to take advantage of the opportunity to detox.

I was going to put a dye on my hair this evening but not sure if I can be bothered now. Think I would prefer a long soak in a bubble bath with a good book.

Am off to watch old episodes of 'Allo 'Allo with dd.

Strawbs congratulations, you have done tremendously well! Ten weeks is real milestone. Has everything settled down for you at home?

Well done Strawbs - that's great! xx

Hello Babes, I've been at the castle dressed as a Zombie - see profile for picture evidence - helping out with their Halloween Event. I may of scared a few children when getting them to take part in the bobbing for apples game!

How are we all?

ooh mouse that's VERY scary [hshock]

Mouse, you look most excellent! That must have taken ages!

Congrats on the 10 weeks, strawb. That's fantastic. Well, I've had a weekend of drinking as it was my birthday. But we nearly got into a fight at the end of the evening like total chavs. Luckily a crisis was averted, but still, I am both and :(.

My curent aim is not to drink at all tll I go for a weekend away with the girls in mid-november.

Morning Babes xx

Theala - I used to be a make-up artist so it took no time at all. I'm making DD and her friend up for tonight so if they let me, I'll take photo's and put them on too

Happy belated birthday lovely. I like the idea of that goal, it gives you a good two week's rest, if not a bit more.

I have been listening to the 'latest fad advice' on drinking, what the government feels is the correct 'limit' not target, for us to be drinking at present.

We're supposed to now have at least three days of NO DRINKING AT ALL to give out poor livers chance to recover and replenish.

DH and I have made a pact, no drinking at all - together this time - during the week and IF we want to drink at weekend, we worry about that then. However, that doesn't give us free rein to go mad and drink a bottle or more of wine each every Saturday and Sunday.

Thing is, if I plan to allow myself a drink, I won't want one. And if DH is on board, then that makes the temptation less so.

I have spoken to my doc, the one who did the LFT, and he said that if I drink sensibly, there's no need to give up, but I do need to reduce the amounts I was drinking, big time! But can I do that? Can I stop or not pick up? For today, I can and I will.

I'm not bothered as long as I don't have that first drink. Drinking non-alcoholic beers really worked for me and the only reason I fell off the Bus from a spectacular height, somersaulting all the way, was because I had no Beck's Blue and thought I'd be 'okay' just having one glass of normal beer.

Wrong mousey, very, very wrong!

So, my waffle is basically saying that DH is now on board, I plan to stock up with drinks that work for me and if he follows suit, great. If not, that's up to him and quite frankly, his problem.

TODAY I WILL NOT BE DRINKING.

Morning,

'ello Mouse ((( ))) sounds like a good plan and I am really pleased DH on board. Love the scary pics. I find that having non alcoholic beer in the house is necessary too - without it I seem to totally lose my path.

That said, I drank last night, 2-3 small glasses, DH and I shared a bottle and didn't finish it, so feeling ok about that. Would have preferred DD not to come into our bed at 3am but can't have it all.

DD has gone off to nursery today dressed as a .... Princess. All things Halloween too scary for her so had half an hours sobbing this morning begging to stay at home to avoid Halloween. Was I right to make her go? She seemed happy once she got there and I explained to the staff about her fears that she would be overcome by pumpkins and witches! I also bribed her with a treat tmrw - I am going to pick her up early and take her to soft play for tea. I thought I'd just surprise her (haven't told her the plan) - should work well as her friend isn't in nursery tmrw so I think she finds those days a bit harder.

Right last day of October. Hurrah. Going to finish my work, email Isinde , do my invoices and then perhaps put my feet up. Perhaps . Roll on November.

i'm glad dh is on board mouse - i'm sure it will make a huge difference.

feeling pretty cruddy today. yesterday i drank, i'd had a beer here then went to my sisters for lunch and had an aperitif then red wine. i laid in bed later feeling gross and dehydrated and restless. today is day one.

MsGee - thing is, not every child likes everything IYSWIM? Some don't like all the excitement that comes with an event, some don't like the pressure to please and look great! Some hate the competitive nature and some are just plain old mard arses

Your DD is a gentle soul, she really is. I totally get where she's coming from bless her and once she's there, I think she'll be fine. She's dressed as she wanted to, good for her! She can always be some sort of Princess Bride thingy if you're asked at the gates!

Seriously MsGee - don't worry. She will get better at these things, I bet she can tell that you'd have kept her off too, to 'save' her from today? I know it's hard for you when she's upset and the simple solution would be to call in sick for her but 'making' her go is better IMO. For BOTH of you xx

Saf - your mood could be because of how you felt last night, but you know that.

Sounds as if there's a lot going on in your head. You do sound different in your posts, not as motivated by day one, that's for sure. You know where I am xx

Morning
Just checking in
All good here
Manic weekend and loads of work.
PC is also in being fixed so only have my phone.

Hope everyone is well
B
xx

Lovely to see you. Glad you're okay now xx

mouse you look well scary!
Just had shit news - my lovely, lovely boss (the one I sent the personal email too!) has just told me he's leaving at Christmas. i get on so well with him and he has given me so much confidence in myself job-wise.
I'm gutted. Really gutted. Working here won't be fun anymore.......

hello! you all seem lovely and I drink FAR too much. it's starting to be a problem, I know I'm not doing myself any favours and I would liek to cut down and contain my booze-abuse to friday saturday nights and then in moderation. I don't binge drink until I pass-out, but I do drink the best part of a bottle of wine every night. it's expensive, I'm chubby because of it (diet otherwise v good...) and I do need some well-wishing and support to knock it on the head.

I think that's the first step? yes? :)

Hi all

I've not been on this thread for a good while but have decided to come back. I've been doing fine - really looking after myself. Loads of exercise, felt more positive etc etc
BUT seem to have gone into destructive mode again and drank a bottle and a half of red on Friday night and hadn't had any lunch or tea and ended up texting someone cos I was pissed off that I wasn't invited on a night out they had arranged. It's not horrendous, my text wasn't evil and the response I got wasn't awful and in some ways I'm glad I'd texted but I wish I didn't have to get so wound up about things like that.
I wish I had the balls to text or phone and say something when I'm sober but instead I think about it for days and add it on to other examples of when someone didn't invite me etc.
Anyway rant over.
Oh to top it all I've just had a cigarette cos I bought some on Fri when drunk and then couldn't find them. Found them yesterday and decided to smoke today because...erm I'm stupid. I gave up 4 years ago and it took years to stop.

Rant definitely over. thanks for reading if you managed to get through this.

Snapespeare helloe to you. well done for making the first step. you will get loads of support on here. What's made you make the decision to come on the thread or was it anything in particular?

Just gonna get the washing in cos it's chucking it down here. Back in a bit

:) hi RubyRed.

My ex is staying at the mo - he's popped down for the weekend to see the DCs (he lives 500 miles away) he's an alcoholic and has drank continuously since getting here, including my 'nice-wine' and guest-beer ( I don't really drink beer, but I have a crate stashed away for visitors..) he's not a violent drunk, just a rubbish ineffectual one. My daughter asked me to not drink around her dad as it encourages him (does it hell!) but I'm kind of aware that it's a slippery slope and I really don't want to end up like him. I do have rules/rituals around my drinking - I very seldom drink before 6pm, I don't mix drinks, I do always know when to stop and don't do daft things when I'm under the influence - but I'm very aware that it saps my energy - doesn't mix well with my (mild and reducing dose of) anti-depressants & aside from smoking and wine gums is the one thing that I feel I do that seriously compromises my health, mood and general well-being.

I do yoga, I run (sometimes!) I go to the gym, I don't eat overly fatty food or refined carbs, I take all of my supplements, I work in a responsible job etc etc etc - I feel my drinking is an area where I let myself down and I want to change that.