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

msGee put that man down!
mouse my father refused to give me away too.

MsGee - well done on getting through your due date, that is a huge step forward and you should be really proud of yourself sweets. It seems that all of my friends are having babies right now or are expecting them. DH put the Christmas tree lights on the boy's Christmas tree out in the garden earlier.

I'm going to go and talk to them on Christmas Eve and then take 3 little wooden decorations to put on the tree on Christmas morning. A rocking horse, a solider and an angel. They are gorgeous, little traditional things.

Ma - you can't choose your families but you can choose your friends, thank Jeff!!!

Think I have finally finished shopping except I haven't got anything for DH yet but he always ends up last on the list, poor long-suffering hose .

Just got to do a food shop, deliver presents, dye my hair, fill out my tax return, make a fancy dress costume, book the hairdressers and de-flea the cat!! Apart from that, I'm ready to relax .

Waves frantically to all x

Bloody hell Faire - I think we've got parallel lives right now. Your list looks very familiar! xx

No time to read back - this is unfeckingbelievable.

After thinking she had days left to live my DM is coming home for Christmas and staying home...............................................................

and booked in for more chemo on 3rd January

I cannot tell you how much this has fecked up mine and siblings heads

after telling people we think it is the end - you lot, work, mates, anyone who will listen - we now have to say "ooh sorry - made a mistake - she's doing OK"

soooooooooooooooo today

I took sister to hospital to visit DM

picked up brother to remove humungous table from room for DM, to make space for bed

collected hospital table from work

sorted out leak in DM's kitchen ceiling

picked up commode

got pork feking pie from special pie shop

collected sister from hospital

delivered brother with face like smacked arse home (long story)

tried to sort out supermarket delivery that didn't come (ordered by DM but not paid for)

consoled upset DD who just want to chill but has been dumped on any relative to facilitate the above

Bit of a day really

going to read back x

Aw silver that sounds like a horrendous day. If it is at all possible, find a little tiny amount of time to spend a few minutes on your own, relax your shoulders and give yourself a big hug from us.

I've only read back a bit and you know what - you lot are

AMAZING - each and every one of you

I need to go and lie in a darkened room now, for a short while

Be back when I have time to breathe

and thanks Venus xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

hi all
silver that is good news that your mum is coming home
the new Chief Exec arrived today for a visit. Shook his hand and he said "and what do you do?" I said "as little as I can get away with". Cue silence and then "oh" as he wandered off. Sense of humour bypass? Outgoing CEO was pissing himself laughing - aaargh, I'm going to miss our banter so much.
Busy evening, seen to mum who is upset about dad who is threatening to kill himself, seen to dad who couldn't remember my name, dropped DS off at school for play, picked DS up after play, wrapped more pressies, haven't had time to eat. Heart going like the clappers......

I honestly think we have the makings of a marvellous movie here. A bit 'Love Actually' with all the stresses and strains of life, loss, love, laughter, illness and family. What a marvellous bunch we are. Someone creative could make a killing here - c'mon Isinde write a screenplay for us willya?

Oooh and I forgot, sex and naked hopping!!

Sorry if I put anyone off their dinner there

Right, time to hit the hay. Night brave babes x

yeah i could have a cameo scene having sex standing on my head whilst sucking a banana through a straw to see if it really did get you high (please god get me a body double though).

between us we have enough shit going on for 10 greek tragedies but combine that with the sense of humour we seem able to maintain and yep you have the makings of a great black comedy

msgee - just mwah! glad to see you.

ds fell asleep on the sofa with me last night and is just stirring. a wise friend told me that it is 'ok to let him love me'. you'd think that was obvious but i'm not sure it was to me. so he wants to be with me, even when i'm cack and sluglike and not much cop. because he loves me. and i need to stop feeling guilty or ashamed that my son loves me - again you'd think that'd be bloody obvious wouldn't you?

in my wobbly stupor we played wii golf and bowling with music on, we went out and collected holly and gave the dog a bit of a wander and bought too many sweets and crisps and came home and ate them and he watched films whilst i tried hard to stay awake on the sofa. i tried to put him to bed but he was so resistant. then i woke up in the middle of the night and realised he was at the other end of my duvet on the sofa and i let him stay.

in the grand scheme of remembering childhood traumas i don't suppose eatinga load of crap and sleeping on the sofa with your mum one night will rank high on the list of things to take to therapy.

so here comes another day of trying to keep hoiking up my big girl knickers from around my knees and trying to do the best i can.

thank you everyone for being here for me through all this. when i come out the other side i owe a hell of a lot of support because all i've been doing is taking for a while

silver - bless you it's a rollercoaster isn't it? no comparison but we had such ups and downs with my uncle of the kind you are describing. but no one took him home or to a hospice which is a shame i think so well done you lot and well done for not slapping the face like a slapped arse or anyone else on a day as stressful as that x

Saf that sounds like a lovely cosy evening/night, well done you!

Just popped in to say morning and keep going everyone, only a few days to go and all this work will have come to fruition. Try to build a little bit of 'me' time into your day to take a breath and just BE.
love to all
xx

Morning.

Just popping in to say a quick hello.

Saf your day and night with your DS sounds wonderful, truly. I know it isn't what you would like to be doing (and I know you must have felt physically/emotionally dreadful) but I bet your DS had a lovely time. That is what Christmas should be about - snuggling up, watching films, eating treats etc. And the walk and holly collecting sounds gorgeous. Seriously, high five to you for giving your DS a magical pre-Christmas time! I'm not surprised he loves you so much

Silver what brilliant news about your mum! Your head must be all over the place.

Mouse your Christmas tree in the garden sounds lovely. I will put decorations on a tree outside in memory of all our children who aren't with us. MsGee, thinking of you too.

Hello to everyone else. Time to start the day and see what little dramas I can contribute to the soap-opera...

Good morning everyone. I've been watching these threads for a long time now and think it's wonderful that they're still going strong. It's a testament to all of you. I'm posting because I need support and to know that I'm not alone.

I've been alcohol dependent most of my adult life (I'm 54 now), in and out of AA but never managed to become abstinent. Sometimes I think I can control it and manage to only drink socially but then it takes over again and I'm drinking up to a bottle of wine a day alone and ending up in tears because I feel like such a loser. Booze featured in the breakdown of my marriage but I have a lovely DD, my own home and a nice little job which I love. A good relationship with my ex too. I'm single and feel sad about that sometimes and the drink makes it worse.

I've been very down this past week and that's no co-incidence because there have been so many excuses to drink and I've got loads of wine in the house which is fatal. Again I'm telling myself that I can't just cut down, I need to STOP. Hoping I can find inspiration here and already have reading all your posts. Funny thing is, a while back I met a guy online and we've been talking for ages but not met yet. I mentioned I was having problems with drinking and it turns out he's an addictions counsellor. He wants to meet me, says he'd like to offer me support. But it feels a bit uncomfortable to me as I don't know him. Should I go? Or is it best to eschew relationships altogether whilst I'm trying to sort myself out?

Hi MrsM I don't usually post during the day while I'm at work, but hey it's quiet here and the other Brave babes are probably busy.

Welcome aboard, it is great when someone unlurks to join us. I would definitely recommend the abstinance route, I'm a similar age to you and struggled for years and years. I can tell you that the last year + that I have been on this bus and kicked the habit has been amazing. So hop on board and see how you get on, have you got a plan for today?
Regarding the chap, is there anyway you can check him out, I don't want to sound cynical, but I would tread very carefully, there are some people who target vulnerable people and I am not sure that someone who actually is a counsellor would want to have a personal relationship with someone who needs their professional help. I don't mean to upset you, but please be cautious.
Let us know your plan for day one and have a good day.

Hello Mrs Miniver what a lovely name . I second Bproud's advice regarding the man you met online. I think it's best to keep counselling and personal relationships very separate. Perhaps if he's in the business he could recommend someone but I would steer clear of telling him my deepest secrets if it were me! My DH doesn't even know about this thread and we've been together over 20 years . Also do be wary of meeting up with anyone you only know online, but I'm sure you know that.

Welcome aboard, you are in good company here, we will help, advise and support you. Just let us know what you would like to do today. Do you want to not drink just for today?

Right, dd is finally out of the bathroom so I'm off for a soak and to gear up for the rest of today

Hi MrsM

I'm stopping on the 27th - why don't you join me and we can do it together - that way you can enjoy drinking over Christmas and start the New Year with a few days sobriety under your belt.

Just a thought...............

What a great idea silver, I just can't imagine Christmas without a drink so yes, I will join you on the 27th! Bproud, glad to find someone of my own vintage and what you say about sobriety is very inspiring. Fairstive, I do tend to agree with what you say about meeting this chap, deep dark secrets and new relationships don't really mix. I have checked him out and he does do what he says he does but I don't want to meet him in that context, so will consider it most carefully.

My plan for today is definitely not to have a drink. I'm going to wrap DD's presents because she's out with her dad and do some last minute odds and ends. I've just eaten a healthy snack and I find that keeps cravings at bay. That's the hard part, when a craving hits I'm just hopeless :(

I hope you all have good days too and it's lovely to be here :)

part of the craving is the drop in your blood sugar level so have something sweet - it might help -

Just had a very amusing discussion about commodes with sisters - we all got a bit hysterical and have delegated that particular task to brother - poor bastard

Bugger. I need to climb back on the wagon From today!

Wish me luck.

MrsM forget the healthy snack - what you need is chocolate

What time of day do you usually get cravings, if you don't mind me asking. For me it's anytime after lunch if I'm not working or from about 4pm onwards. The worst seems to be 8-9pm. So pretty much most of the day then .

So I used HALT. Stop and think, am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. Have a sugary snack and/or non alcohol drink. Go for a stomp across fields. Phone a friend (or post on here), have a nap, long soak in bath, read a book, do some knitting, etc. The moment will pass and you do not have to think any further than that.

Good luck Scoundrel! Silver have just read back and wanted to say all the best for having your DM home. What a hard and difficult situation, yet your warmth and positivity shine through.

Silver good for you. Give him something else to have a slapped arse face about .

Hi Scoundrel are you suffering today?

Fairstive, it's pretty much the same for me! And yesterday I got cravings BEFORE lunch and gave in. Went shopping pissed and was lucky not to bump into anyone! Stomping through fields sounds like a lovely idea, will have to make do with park as am in the middle of town!