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

he's not that young btw - i've made it sound like i'm cradle robbing at the school gates or something! yes the new man diet is actually kicking in before even getting started on the exercise side of things it's a miracle diet - just the sheer terror of someone seeing your jelly belly starts melting it away.

i so think you're doing the right thing and that this is your time blossom - it's not just empty words.

Just popping in to see how everyone is doing. Good by the sounds of things! Blossom well done you for not drinking in such stressful times. It must be tempting but you know it would only make you feel worse...

Mrs JH big high five for you! What's your secret to sobriety? Yes I'm looking for an easy solution :)

Legal how are you feeling today? Been thinking about what you said about Gary Speed. So true...hope you are OK today. Are you going to see the GP?

Mouse you poor thing. I don't know what to say. I cannot imagine how you cope. I wish we could do something. Please fight for treatment or medication or diagnosis as though you were fighting for Nemo...x

Hello to everyone else. Sorry not to name-check but must dash.

Today I will not be drinking.

Hello

Sorry that I just ran in and dumped my wows on you all yesterday. Feeling better today but only because it is a new day!

Blossom - I second everything that SAF has said to you about this being your time

Good to hear a smile in your words SAF you do seem rather upbeat of late, I wonder if that has anything to do with a certain young man?

Well I managed to get the big weekly shopping done without killing DH anyone but it's getting dangerous out there! So many fuckwits, weirdos, and the great unwashed are out in force I tell thee! There are an awful lot of ignorant people out there.

Why is it that everyone else has all the time in the world to get somewhere, or something done, but I've not? Seriously, I often wonder why shops don't put chairs and tables out in the middle of the aisles so that the ditherers can sit down and catch up, talk about their dodgy plumbing, wonkey knees, false teeth, 'er next door and 'im up street......

JUST MOVE OUT OF THE WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!

Anyway, of late my drinking has been almost daily. I have not however, been drinking gin or vodka now since the doc warned me about my liver. I'll have two glasses of wine a night, if I like but tend to stick to the non alcoholic shandy from Morrisons and I find that really does work to trick my brain into thinking that I'm having a 'real' drink.

Doesn't work for everyone, but it does for me, so my units are now less than 20 per week and I have at least one day off completely, sometimes two. I'd like to get to 3 or 4.

I'll never stop completely, because I don't want to. I will cut down, and the days off will increase. Just not right now. There's too much going on. Every single day, there's something else that I have to deal with..... and I will deal with it.

Thank you all so much for all of your wonderful posts and support. You are all fab xxx

Looks like it was my turn to kill the thread...

SAF I'm very excited about your flirty man (yes I do need to get out more). A six pack you say? Blimey, I haven't seen one of those for a while. To be fair DH has seen if he can see in the dark far too much white, flabby, jelly belly. When I crack the drink problem then I'm going to start getting fit again. Honest. Maybe I need the thrill of a new man to kick-start the diet??

Very impressed with all the talk of running. Ma you're far more of a runner than me! Well done with the hot chocolate last night by the way. Are you feeling any better yet? The poor sleep's a nightmare though isn't it . I was the same last night. Felt like stamping my feet and shouting "it's not fair". I wasn't drinking so I should be sleeping better. Grrrr. Anyway, I hope you have a better night tonight.

How are you doing Faire? You sound pretty sorted to me Hope that is the case.

Hope everyone else is OK. Not heard from Leather and DOTV for a while. Hope you're doing alright if you're out there.

Hi Mouse, cross-post. You sound a bit better. Thank goodness for new days eh?

Just been to the supermarket myself and it was chaos. Twice as busy as normal. Why? Are people doing their Christmas food shopping already?? Anyway, well done for not killing anyone. I now have to put about a million bags of shopping away and really can't be faffed. Oh well, better get to it.

Yes, where are Leatherand DOTV? We haven't heard from them in ages. Can we send out an APB for them?

Mouse, you do sound a bit more cheerful than yesterday, despite braving the christmas shoppers. If you can manage not to drink more than 2 units a day, you're doing fabulously. Just be careful it doesn't creep back up again.

SSM, join the runners! You don't have to "crack the drink problem" before starting running (I certainly didn't) but if you get into the running, it might help you crack the drink problem.

Sorry, I'll stop being evangelical now.

Theala - you and your halo! xx

Silly - I think it's time you changed your name. Maybe do a Christmas one and then think of a super duper new one for the New Year? You need something more positive. xx

Well now we have a potential romance to talk about, things are getting really interesting on the bus. Do keep us posted Saf

Theala my bmi used to be 35 just over 2 months ago but now it's down to 31. I've been using a site that mouse recommended and trying to stick to 1000 calories a day. I've lost 19lb so far and hope to lose a few more before Xmas.

Of course I shall stuff myself silly over Christmas but will get back onto it in the New Year (along with half the population of Britain no doubt).

www.foodfocus.co.uk

Mouse I have also been nagging asking silly to change names. Is it too early to go for festive ones do you think?

my christmas one last year was, 'santaisananagramofsatan'. i thought i would win prizes but alas, no.

Hello Babes, and Mif

I have been a bit AWOL, but, have been watching, and rejoicing in how many of you (us) are feeling positive in so many different ways.

This is a very busy and upsetting time of the year for me (work, don't ask!!), actually you don't have to ask, it's exam time at my school, and all year I try to restore childrens self-esteem, and enhance their learning skills, only to see it all shot to hell in a few days .

I have been eating breakfast and lunch in the car, and trying to get my college work done, which need the masters degree that I haven't got!

All self induced though, so I shouldn't moan, just feel a bit treadmill, drowny at the moment.

We have also decided to two rooms before everyone comes here for Christmas. What a wise decision was that !!

I have been drinking some wine, albeit not like before, but it's just what I need some nights. Hence me not posting much, I can't be of any help to anyone at the moment, just trying to get through myself, without going back to square one!

Before I go, I want to thank whoever it was (Theala?) who said that they weren't a talker, but Dh was. I really took note of that, and decided to respect DH a lot more in the way he deals with things. Doesn't really work for me, but I did say to him that we deal with things in different ways, and both are equally as valid, it seemed to help , so thank you .

Best love
xxx

best love right back at you thurso!! xxxx

How are the wedding plans JWN?

DC1, when he was home a couple of weeks ago, starting talking serious stuff about the future, he truly believes that he has found "the one", and I'm not surprised, because in my soul, I always thought that was what he would do. But, 21?

Do you worry about it?

thurso my son is 20 and about to become a dad, GF and he are delighted and so excited. And yes I do worry about it but what can you do, they make their own choices, bless them.

blossom thank you, I have been worrying, but as you say, they make their own choices. I hope all is going well with your son's GF, has everything stabilised now? How imminent?

Due Jan, yes everything really settled down thank god . Off to pilates now, have a good evening all.

Faire - well done on the massive weight loss! That is amazing! WOW!! xx

And nope, it's never too early on MN for anything, I was thinking that they'd have the Easter icons up by now

I'm going to be AChristMouseTail this year, thanks to one of the lovely Nobdies

Right, must dash, dinner to cook!

DD is off school tomorrow so can help me with Nemo as yet again, we have a crazy busy day.

Still exhausted, numb arm, sore back and neck, dropping, and not managed to get hold of the doc.

A very good friend of mine has just suggested going private as it's not a pre-existing condition.... food for thought for sure, after all, we do have health care.

Thurso - here, have one of these --> <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=hug&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=475&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=gWH8_7w0MMDwaM:&imgrefurl=singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/quitting-smoking-unaided&docid=Vo4rjW6ZJZk3AM&imgurl=www.threelittlebears.co.uk/ekmps/shops/heavenlyjew/images/forever-friends-a-special-hug-795-p.jpg&w=400&h=399&ei=DCjVTvmOD5T58QOlutChAg&zoom=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE xx

venus - thinking of you xx

Mouse I have just read your pm, and seen your link. It made me cry and laugh! xxxxx

I wish I could do links!!!

Didn't mean to make you cry lovely.

I'm going to say goodnight, as soon as I've had dinner, I'm off to bed.

I'm going to snuggle and get warm like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=sleeping+mouse&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=475&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=rvk3Q9pP8xOx5M:&imgrefurl=animalphotos.info/a/2008/05/12/very-close-photograph-of-sleeping-infant-mouse-with-the-softest-brown-fur-and-naked-tail/&docid=ICzKZnw7AmiVGM&imgurl=farm1.static.flickr.com/29/99786620_6c9bbe4212.jpg&w=500&h=384&ei=TTDVTumrM8Oo8QOCnpT2AQ&zoom=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THIS

Can you not just C&P the website and then put it into these brackets or get MNHQ to do it for you at the bottom of the box?

The way to do it if you want a word in it, like this is to C*P your link into one lot of brackets and then a space after the last part of the C&P then a word like 'THIS', no space and then add the last brackets like that.

Try it!

Anyway bye for now BBs. School tomorrow and a crazy day all round with deliveries, plumbers etc...... but I'll pop in xx

Thanks Mouse,

I will try it tomorrow, I'm hoping you have a good sleep. I won't be long for bed tonight.

Sleep tight all, blessings on you
xxxxx

Aw thanks mouse I was aiming for 30lb but don't think I'm going to make it. I will just extend the deadline . But that website is ace, so thanks for that. And I luuuurve that iccle mousie pic. Too cute. Btw I agree that going private would be a good idea if you can. Anything that helps you get the treatment you need.

I'm thinking of changing to Fairegrotto, or Fairelights, or Faireonthetreetop . . . you can see where I'm going with this .

Any suggestions welcome.

Faire you've done amazing stuff these last few months since we've 'known' you, I hope you are giving yourself credit for them?
thurso if you are making controlled drinking work, then there's probably a few around here who would want to hear from you, so that's not an excuse for not posting either (any more we can run out of the water for you?!)
FWIW my now married and amazing mother of 2 DSister is still with her teenage sweetheart, he is fab and they are very much happily ever after.

Am pondering a few things, might try and get them out here later. Love to all, those MIA, thinking of you too, Dotv, cidre, isinde, loopylou and probably lots of others.

Faire - if we had a Celebrate Liverpool Day, you could be FaireCrossTheMersey

You'd have to try a few as some of the ones you've thought of may have been used over the years...... I like FaireOnTopOfTheTree it has to be less than 30 letters IIRC but that one will fit.

Morning all.

I had a night off from Nemo but the wolf decided to start at 1am so he kept me awake until I went in to DH and demanded he go and 'sort it' delivered in my very best 'I'm soooooooooooooo fecking tired of that noise' voice

Off to nursery in a while and we have Warm Front in to service the heating system, then DH is off to Brum interviewing, we have deliveries galore due to appear at some point today and DD is off school. Doubt I'll see much of her!

I had a glass of wine last night then went to bed. I'm not even sure why I had the one..... habit maybe? Not good but I think that's what it is of late, just habit.

Right, meds and breakfast needed here xx

you should be faireymuff i reckon.

too early for food for me. it's strictly nicotine and caffeine for me till at least lunchtime.

mouse i've been worrying about you but haven't liked to call because i know you're really busy and don't want to harass - much love.

Morning. I'll have one of those bacon butties Mouse, thanks. My plan to not drink last night went quite badly wrong. I need to learn how to handle my anger/worries better than just drowning them in a vat of wine. :(

Well done on the weight loss Faire, that's brilliant! Thurso, glad it helped some.
xxx

Jeez, stop going on at me about changing my name, will ya? But, shucks, if you want me to, I'll do it. Just to shut you up for you :) I need to get my thinking cap on. Must come up with something witty, festive, meaningful, positive and personal...hmm, don't hold your breath!

Theala so tell me more about running...I love the thought of it but I would be puffing and panting (and not doing much actually running) IN PUBLIC. And I will be bright red and sweaty with my hair stuck to my face. This might be counter-productive to my self-esteem building... Am willing to be persuaded though! So what happened last night? Hope you're not feeling too bad today. Those are my triggers too - anger, worrying, stress.

Blossom so pleased your son's GF is OK. Phew.

Mouse I bet you're not talking to the wolf today. Bad wolf. Good luck with the busyness today. Don't know anything about private health-care but if you've got it then I'd definitely make an appointment asap.

Thurso I think it would be really, really good for lots of us (definitely me) if you could post more. Like noteven said, I'm aiming for (and failing at) controlled drinking so any tips/experiences (good and bad) will definitely be helpful for me. And if you find posting here helpful for you then everyone's a winner! PS I am a hopeless romantic and wish that I had found "the one" at 21. Also, it doesn't sound like you're on a treadmill to me (although it does sound like you have a huge amount on). You're not just going nowhere - you're doing your college course, redecorating, putting loads into a really important career, and that's just what you mentioned here. You're working hard and moving forward. I know it's hard but try to focus on what you're achieving, that might help you to feel less like you're just working flat out and not getting anywhere. Sorry if I sound a bit know-it-all-ish (I so am not) but I am working hard at actively and consciously focusing on the positives in my life (and trying to put a positive spin on things, where possible) and it is really helping.

Faire congrats on the weight loss! Wow! In such a short period of time, too, you must feel fab. And rightly so. Will check out that website. I've been trying Myfitnesspal but I'm still fat. Boo.

SAF, Faireymuff is brilliant!

Have good days everyone. Today I will not be drinking.