The Brave Babes Battle Bus - New Year, New Start And With A Firm Resolution In Their Hearts.

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse and I have an ever changing relationship with alcohol.

This is the Brave Babes Battle Bus, it's a support thread for those who feel their drinking habits are not what they should be, or even those of another.

Sober, drinking or somewhere in between, come take a seat.

And for those who would like to know where this all started, HERE is a link to the threads before this one.

Make THIS year THE year that you change your life, for the better.

Have a Happy New Year, full of memories to treasure, not to forget.

Morning everyone!

I am pleased with myself re yesterday

I know what you mean about having to face your demons. I think that is half the problem with DH - traditionally we would just have opened a bottle of wine and forgotten about it (ie put all the problems back under the surface)

hippo you could try ordering a soft drink, if you can be bothered! i would probably just go home but that's because i love being at home!

If you can stand being in a pub and not drinking, it can be an interesting experience observing the others. See if you can see the signs of the ones who need more than one or two.

Massive well done Christi I bet you feel great about it. No ideas for your speech though, sorry, not the sort of thing I get involved in much. It woud terrify me, actually . You are so very brave.

Right, I'm off to search Yell.com for the 'New Sober Head Fitters'

Morning all. And thank you again. I so nearly opened the wine last night but I thought I'd try you lot instead . And it worked. It was a hard evening but it passed. I dealt with it. Sober. I've hardly ever talked about my dad with anyone (Mum would never speak about him and to be honest I think I'm resentful for her lack of support, a child shouldn't have to deal with such things alone). But like you say, better out than in. And I coped with it sober. Next time something triggers the NEED to drink I will (hopefully!) remember that I don't actually NEED it, that the moment and the craving will pass. Christi I hope you feel similarly about the train journey. You did it. You can do it again. Huge respect for you, well done .

Faire when you find the number, can you book me in too? We might be able to push quite a bit of business their way

Mouse hope you're OK and the hospital appointment went smoothly...

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

I am terrible, hardly ever have the chance to check into this lovely thread and am wayyyyyyyy behind on how everyone is going.

Day 15, going really really well. Will have wine on Saturday - nice meal with the kids and DH before DH goes away for a week but otherwise? Not even tempted as I feel SOOOOOOOOO much better in the morning and in myself.

And because I am not drinking I have rediscovered reading books which I absolutely LOVE. I never used to read because a) at bedtime I used to just zonk, no chance of reading a few pages and b) during the day, felt so dull that I could not concentrate on reading.

Now I'm ploughing through a book a week and I love it.

I'm right behind you grip on Day 12 and also loving it. I haven't had any cravings but then I haven't been anywhere other than work so it's easy really . At the moment I'm reading a really good book set in the stone age. Very different and interesting to discover how neanderthals may have lived.

Hope everyone is well. Any news Mouse?

Good Evening, tis me, Mouse

Sorry, I've not caught up at all.

Chest x-ray was fine, in and out really quickly, no waiting around, should get the results in 2 weeks unless they need to see me before.

No news on when my next MRI will be.

On a very personal note, I have come to the conclusion (after talking to friends and looking at medical evidence, not Googling) that I am starting to go through the menopause early.

I'm not going to go into detail on here but I plan to make an appointment to get my blood levels tested for oestrogen and see what they are. Things have changed over the past few months and I kind of 'know' what this is. And, I'm accepting it and just getting on with it because there is nothing that I can do.

There's no way that we could have another baby because of my disability and the care that Nemo needs. I know that if we did, I'd be put on bed rest after 16 weeks because of the weight pushing on my back.

Talking of which, I'm in so much pain, Tuesday can't come quick enough for these injections and although I know they are only said to ease UP TO 70% of the pain, it's better than chewing on morphine that is no longer worker due to my receptors being saturated. [blsuh]

How bad is that? Morphine no longer works as I have too much in my system.

Nemo is doing great, really great. He's really coming out of his shell and LOVES nursery more and more with each session we go to. He's even started to let others play with him and he'll go with another child if they want him to.

He has lots of hospital/meetings/assessments going on at the moment. All busy busy.

I hope you are all okay and winning the battle that we're fighting. I'm off to a committee meeting shortly, oh, and the Jeffing washing machine is fecked (technical term) more money that we don't have.

I'll be back tomorrow as DH is out all day and most of the night. Sorry that I've not caught up. I'd forget most of it if I tried! There's so much going on!

Hiya mouse what a mixed bag of news.

Hippo what did you do in the end? I hope its not too late to suggest, but if you are in early sobriety, I'd give the pub a miss.

If on the off chance you didn't and you're like me don't reward yourself for getting through it with a trip to the Offie on the way home!

quick check in. exhausting week. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday with new CEO and today doing a full day's training on systems thinking.Same again tomorrow. My brain cells are smoking.....
Still drinking...but a couple of glasses a night.

checking in

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hi everyone

Everything fine here. Steak for dinner and no red wine. Still tasted yummy.

Feeling a bit more relaxed despite busy day at work.

Hope everyone else ok, quiet on here!

Talking of books, reading 'Nothing to Envy' by Barbara Demick about real life in North Korea. It is incredible and disturbing. I recommend it. Eye opening.

Hello! I did go to the pub and it was fine actually. Had a good gossip and tried lime and soda for first time - quite nice!
Came home feeling great and walk in hoouse to find DH having a beer. He doesn't drink much, he's definitely a take or leave it type, and was no doubt celebrating doing a double bedtime in his own :) but for some reason it really made me want a drink! Was a real moment of "ooh I could just have one". Had something to eat and a vimto and ok again now. Odd how it came over so quick just after I'd been feeling smug on the way home.
I do most of the shopping though, so once those beers have gone I'm not planning on buying any more so it will be less of an issue!

Even though it was fine tonight I still find it hard to imagine going to pub and not drinking if I had the choice, ie not driving. One day at a time, I know, I know :)

Great news Hippo- definitely an experience to put in the bank and draw on next time you're tempted! It also sounds as if you stayed really aware of your tiggers- Odd how it came over so quick.

Morning everyone, how are you all today? Was very quiet on here yesterday...

Am at work, it's FRIDAY!

Morning. Just a quick one before I head off into town to tick a few thing off my 'things I don't really want to do so have left as long as possible' list. At least I'm doing them now. Wouldn't be if I was drinking so must concentrate on the bigger picture!

I've still got a cold so no boing for me either. But no self-loathing, guilt, shakes or sweaty, slimy skin either, thank goodness

Well done Hippo. For the pub and resisting the beer at home. Good work

Mouse, you are amazing to cope with everything you do. You'll probably say you have no choice but actually some people would buckle under the pressure and not be able to still be a fab wife, mother, friend etc. Pleased to hear that Nemo is doing so well.

Hope you all have a good day. This will be my third weekend of (hopefully!!) not drinking. And right now I don't want to drink and I don't feel like it will be hard not to drink. Now how weird is that?? I never thought you'd hear those words from me

Anyway, I hope you all have good days. It's Friday, yippee!

That's brilliant SSSM, well done! And I'm glad you got through the other night alright as well. It can be hard to handle strong emotions all of a sudden, but I'm sure it must get easier with practice.

And Hippo - that's excellent! Congratulations to you for staying strong!

Cristiane, I actually read that book a few weeks ago myself. It was brilliant and so interesting, but also terribly, tragically sad.
I'm actually reading Willpower at the moment, which is fascinating. And explains why we suddenly start eating sugary crap when we give up the drink.

I'm doing ok and definitely don't feel like drinking. Trying to focus on getting fit and healthy enough to actually be able to run my half-marathon in two months' time. Eeek!

DP will find out next week if he gets made redundant or not, and I suspect that may be a drinking trigger (either celebrating or drowning our sorrows), but I've decided to try not to project and just cross that bridge when we come to it.

Hello everyone

Am off sick from work with a vile cold. I also hurt my ankle last night and am wearing a support bandage. I'm in the wars this week!

I had a couple of glasses of wine last night, not enough to feel dreadful today. Considering it's been a tough week (working hard, DH being an arse, DM is here for a couple of days, stinking cold and sore leg/tummy) I'm feeling emotionally okay.

Hugs to all on the bus x

Oh poor us! We've all got colds .

Just posting to say that although I lurk and catch up most days, I don't really feel I have any wisdom to share on this not drinking lark.

Atm am just happy that I have stuck to my NY resolution re. wine and drinking (none Monday to Thursday) - and it wasn't until almost midday today that I had the thought "I can have wine tonight". In my own small way I feel quite boingy about that for now (because I didn't wake up thinking "thank God, I can drink tonight" and haven't been counting down the hours). Infact we have no wine in the house at all - plenty of other alcohol though - and I'm not sure I can be bothered to go out and get any. We'll see.

Hope all babes have a great weekend and that the snotty ones amongst us don't run out of tissues.

god i hope wisdom isn't a requirement!

right the boy has gone to his GPs for the night, the dog has been walked and the pizza has been ordered. my exciting life tempted to get into pj's right now but might at least wait till after the delivery man has been.

i'm drinking already - splash of wine and a lot of tonic. am massively hoping to be able to go to sleep early and sleep in, have been getting very little sleep lately and am hoping to use the boy free night to catch up - fingers crossed as i usually still go and wake up at 6am as if he were here waking me anyway.

mouse - sounds like a lot of stuff to take in and make your way through. read you said dh was away this evening you know where i am if you fancy some company

good news is i've booked a break for half term today - found a lovely b&b that has a dog and child friendly family room with doors to the outside yard and sitting area and stuff (and bizarrely reasonable too) in a little tourist town in the peak district that i love and have a couple of friends in. so me, the boy and the dog will be off for our first holiday of the year in a few weeks time. cross fingers it doesn't rain continuously as i'd like us to do lots of walking and going in caves and stuff. still i guess big girls knickers and lots of waterproofs can handle rain.

good luck with friday night people - remember your plan and stick to it and shout if you're wobbling.

feck isindie are you running a fever and hallucinating?
dear God those babies are never 18 months already? . Tries to ignore fact that baby DS will be 10 next week and eldest DD is 21!!!!
I have been doing training these last two days on Systems Thinking and found it absolutely fascinating. Nearly passed out when i discovered the trainer charges companies more PER DAY that I earn in a month.......think this bears further investigation!
V v tired but need to go and sort out dinner. meatballs and spaghetti anyone?
*waves wearily in general direction of bus>

OMG I am being engulfed by an overwhelming desire for a glass of wine!

It is because I am tired and cross. I have invited my 2 friends over for a drink and a chat so I have the wine ready for them. 'd'H forgot to get the snacks and dips whilst he was our shopping, and forgot to get my special friday soft drinks as well. I will be drinking lousy old elderflower cordial as per GRRRRR!
Talk me down before they arrive, PLEASE.

have you not got a little local shop you can run round to and stock up on snacks and nice soft drink?

also could you have a power nap or at least a quiet lie down on your own for a bit?

you'll regret it bproud - you're doing so well.

Thanks, SAF, no, we live in the country, shops are miles away (often a good thing for resisting stuff)

I've made some Houmus (sp?) and cut up some veg. I will not give in but it is really pissing me off that after all this time the bloody bottle calls and for nothing in the scheme of things, ridiculous eh?