The Brave Babes Battle Bus - On Their Way To Spread The Festive Cheer, Without The Beer!

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm mouse.

I have an obsession with drinking, I can't have a drink, not just one..... it has to be more. Always more.

So, I got on the Bus, this Bus, full of Brave Babes who will help and support me all the way. Come say hi, grab a seat and a . We're a real mixed bunch that share one thing without any doubt - alcohol abuse.

And if you want to read about our history, it's HERE

See you on the Bus xx

mouse lovely photo - and I'd missed the one of nemo in his halloween hat

I had a lovely lunch with a friend today, but it's all adding a further delay, and I've still not bought a single Christmas present

Thanks Ma, I get the impression that you just don't give a toss any more where DH is concerned? Sending you love and strength. You know where I am xx

venus - it is unheard of for me to be ready before the last few days until Christmas but this year I am, thanks to the wonders of the web. There's no other way I could shop otherwise without relying on others. I not allowed to drive, and the bus journey is hellish. Plus walking around the shops kills me physically.

So the doc-coms of this world have my cash in their pockets at this time of year.

Wreath is now up and I'm hoping it stays that way, bloomin weather. Mind you, where I used to live, I had to nail it to the door to stop it being nicked each year and the year before last, I was taking orders to make them for friends, glad I'm not this year, just doing one is hard enough with a little helper!

got it in one mouse. its quite empowering in a way. When I think back to when i was young and stupid and rows would have me upset and desperate to make up, because i wanted it all to be ok again. I don't do that anymore. mentally now I collect "nails" as in "another nail in the coffin". And each one makes me stronger. he will be the ultimate loser, not me.
hear me roar.

ma that roar sounds great , and you sound stronger and more determined with every post (on many fronts). Good for you.

lovely photo Mouse and congratulations to Nemo for 2nd anniversary.
Venus I am like you on no Xmas progress, have been ill all wekend, so no shopping done.
Noteven I hope your weekend went ok, keep posting and letting us know how you are getting on.
Hi to all the other babes.

hello all.

good to see you isinde hope you're ok.

ok here, funny waves of anxiety and some odd physical symptoms and a bit lacking in concentration and therefore a bit irritable but i am ok. didn't manage much sleep last night.

ds still poorly bless him and all a bit emotionally all over the place with it - hard work but all managed 'ok'. in half an hour he will be in bed, i will try and settle and watch something to relax and then go to bed. no alcohol in the house and pouring down with rain so tonight i can confidently say i will not be drinking

sorry not to respond to everyone - have read and do care - hope everyone has a relaxing evening.

Good to see your post saf, it sounds like your managing to cope with the change in your meds not too badly so far. Keep going.

isindie come back and post some more, tell us how you are.

thanks venus I'll get there. I think 2012 will be my year. 2011 was shite but it was the point where he realised I really meant it and the point that I realised I really meant it. Our debt repayment plan will be finished, I am determined to lose this weight and try and get to 10.5 stone, I am going to do the Couch to 5K again, starting from scratch if I have to. Just for once, it's going to be all about me!

Hey Ma I believe in you and your plan, I can see the change, keep it up.
x

thanks BProud. I really do feel it deep down. I know there will be low moments but I'm used to them. I just really feel that, in the words of the song, "a change is gonna come". All of you Babes are part of that. I still have to get control of my drinking but that's part of the plan too. If I am stronger, more resilient, more "me", then I won't need to self-medicate because I will have other things to do with my life.
perhaps, just perhaps, there is a place in the sun out there with my name on it.

Morning all,
Today's the big and scary day here, am very frightened.

ma you sound great, isinde how are you doing?
Love to everyone else, wishing you great Mondays.

ma in the words of another song, you 'take my breath away'.

noteven I hope today turns out to be ok for you. Whatever the outcome, come back to us won't you. Sending strength x

Isinde have things gone tits up? You know we love you, come and talk if you can.

Morning! Just a v v quick one. Will post properly later (you lucky things ) but just wanted to wish noteven all the best for today. Will be thinking of you x

PS am loving all the singing by the way!

Just want to wish the best of luck to Noteven today and return waves to Ma and Mouse:)

noteven I hope that it all goes well for you and dd. Whatever the outcome, this is a big test for you. Your might feel relief, you might feel disappointment, you might have ongoing uncertainty. But none of those is a reason to have a drink.

ma is my song for you this morning - just because it feels so upbeat (and because I like how the lyrics have been corrected!)

i have missed what today is somehow noteven but good luck!

and i offer this classic for you ma let your inner hippy run free

have had a lovely walk out in the crisp, bright world and chatted to lovely dog walkers. now chilling with a cup of coffee and the laptop before wondering what needs doing.

Morning Brave Babes

Ma - I'll be your kick ass partner. I am dieting (really for a change) for the next 3 weeks. I have a beautiful dress to get into on Christmas day, it fits now, but I want it to hang better in certain places, rather than 'gather'

Another bad night with Nemo, I can't wait for his cold to go, roll on spring when the drier, warmer weather is due.

Oh and our builder (the one installing or rather re-installing the bathroom) has now got the mousehouse germs so he's not going to be here.

Nemo's respite carer is here later so I'm going to drag her food shopping with us, because even though our car is finally back, I'm not allowed to drive.

Apparently, the other party has admitted fault, which was a no brainer given DH was out of the car at the time! The guy drove into the door where DH was putting Nemo into the back seat and snapped the door back onto itself.

The most annoying bit was the fact that DH had parked where there were no other cars and this guy parked right next to him........

Anyhooooooo, all sorted and let's face it, compared to what some people are going through today, that's nothing.

I've got my MRI on Thursday and tbh, I'm worried as to what they might find. My body is still rebelling against me but I won't be giving in any time soon so it best be ready for a fight.

Right, more washing and tidying.

STAY STRONG AND BRAVE BABES - extra hugs for those who need them today.

Thank you all for your support and the songs - love them!
this is the one I'm singing along to at the moment, if I can do the link-

You are all such a great support, especially when you have your own troubles. We had round two of Saturday's argument at 7am this morning when he expected sex and instead of putting up with it to keep the peace i think i said something subtle like "do you really think you can treat me like shit all weekend and then expect me to roll over and service you?" It kinda went downhill from there but instead of getting upset, I lit my inner light (cos this little light of mine is gonna shine - another song!), went into the kitchen, made us both coffee and smiled benignly.I found that my clenching my teeth and mentally repeating the mantra "not before Christmas, not before Christmas", I could keep in the words "i want a divorce" I left for work calmly, no kiss goodbye, but with the words "see you later" and a quiet closing of the door.

good for you. you just stated the truth without getting emotional or letting it ruin your day and mood! perfect.

that song is fantastic - so many women's lives...

Ma - I know that this has been an awfully long time coming and you know my feelings on relationships like yours, but I wanted to say to you that I think you are amazingly strong to keep going as you did this morning.

How on earth he expects you to 'service him' like some sort of sticking plaster to cover the wounds, after behaving as he has done all weekend, tells me that sex is his way of fixing things. He thinks that if you have sex with him, it's all going to be okay and life will carry on as 'normal'

I know that when The Day comes, when you do tell him that you want a divorce, there will be no going back no matter what he says. You and I both know that he'll pull the usual stunts as he has before but this time Ma, I can feel that you are stronger to deal with the emotional blackmail that will be coming your way.

I know that there are DC involved and you know my feelings on that too, staying together for the DC's sake rarely works IME, but you have a plan, and I'm sure that in the end, once the dust has settled, you will finally be the woman that you once were, the woman that you are hiding away iinside your heart.

There will be no blame, no finger pointing, you'll hold your head up high, don your shades and walk off into the sunset. And d'ya know what Ma, every single one of us will be right beside you, walking all the way with you until you get to where you want to be.

Keep going Ma, you're nearly there xx

awwwmouse - you made me cry swallow hard and smile!
You lot rock.

ma I echo every word of what mouse said xx

I am heading back to AA and really want to make a better try this time (again)

IsinDe - and we'll all be here with you. Again. Just because you took a head first dive off the Bus, doesn't mean we love you any less. No matter how many times you get off the Bus, no matter how many times that you come back, the support remains the same.

After all, the only people you are hurting are your DP and your girls, oh and of course yourself. But not us. We know you as IsinDe, the poster on the Brave Babes Bus. We don't know much more than that, the rest is yours. So, the IsinDe that posts here, will be welcome to come back always, as will any other poster.

So, get yourself comfy Mrs and grab a whilst we wait for Silver to tell where we're heading this afternoon.