The Brave Babes Battle Bus - BOINGing Into Spring, The Jesus(WhatNext) Way!

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, Mouse

I'm one of the Brave Babes aboard the Battle Bus, on the journey to sobriety.

We have drinkers, non-drinkers, inbetweeners, notquitesurers...... which is all fantastic.

No matter who you are or where you're at in your personal quest to get where you want to be, come grab a seat and join in the natter, just jump right in.

And, if you'd like to see where we've been up until now, HERE is a link to the last thread and the ones before it

See you soon.

Ok, so spot the mother who this morning took DD back to nursery school a whole week before it reopens?! (blush]

Wondered why caretaker was giving me funny looks in the car park.

Is there a herbal tea for senility?

(mutters under breath about bloody ridiculously holidays these private schools have...)

Ps DD couldn't believe her luck!

Yes saf make a tea. The most important thing to remember is to keep the infusion covered while it brews, to ensure the volatile oils don't escape. So either a teapot, or a saucer/plate over the mug. That way, the steam and volatile components condense on the lid and drip back in.

You could try a heaped tsp of chopped fresh ginger root with a couple of crushed cardamom pods per large mug of water. Pour on boiling water, cover, and steep for 10 mins. Strain and drink. If it's powdered root you've got, put a teaspoon of it in a pan with the water, put a lid on, bring to the boil and simmer gently for five mins. Turn off heat, bung in the cardamom, cover it again and let it steep for another 5 - 10 mins. Drink three cups a day.

Hope it helps!

at chasing. Doh!

I took DD to school one Monday after half term - usual stressed morning trying to get out on time, rushing rushing rushing... to find it was an inset day.

I don't miss the morning school run, I must say; it really wasn't my strong point. Now our mornings usually involve sitting in the bed with the ipad, me with my tea, DD with her cocoa, doing our 'learning'.

it's fresh ginger mia. will give it a go thanks.

whoops chasing! gosh a whole week - that's moving the goalposts way out bless you.

Morning Babes tis me, mouse

I had a day off my diet yesterday and paid for it big time. YUUUUUUK to carbs. My Jeff they are evil little feckers aren't they?

My belly has swelled up to the size of Saf's

I'm only joking lovely, sorry to hear your tummy is sore. The ginger should help calm things. I'm in the same boat as you all because of the carbs I ate yesterday. It was as if I could feel it getting bigger.

I went to town with them purely out of greed.

My stomach is killing me and my constipation has increased ten fold! I know now why I have kicked them into touch.

So, today is day 1 (again) of my carb free, fresh food life. Although we are yet to have the cooker re-connected, (Fucking builder) so dinner is going to be salad again.

I feel better for not drinking wine every night too, even though it was just a glass of red or a couple of white.

The lighter, brighter days help my mood, especially as the change in meds means I'm weaning off my AD's as the two can't be taken together.

I'm hoping that as the weight continues to come off, the pain will lessen too?

Will read back properly when I get back from shouting at motorbility (they seem to think I need to re-claim before they'll release my car to me, fuckers) and doing the new thread before this one runs out. So nice to see it full and active xx

NEW THREAD

Please fill this one up first so that we don't lose anyone xx

I am ready to stick the boot into that builder Mouse

Afternoon babes. Mia, now that does sound right up my street too, I have digestive problems. I used to de-bloat sheep with dill seed or fresh in an infusion of warm water, it worked well too Saf. Not saying you look like a sheep, but some veterinary cures are great for humans.

Perhaps another great thing about not drinking, or not drinking as much whichever route you are trying to take, is that you can actually blame something else rather than the booze for some aches, pains, weirdness and forgetfulness. I have to make lists for everything. It stops other people blaming it on the drink too. Clarity to problems is sometimes scary but at least one can pin point them if that makes sense.

The weather affects me too Mouse, big time. I was going around muttering yesterday that I cannot put up with another ghastly winter here of grey and damp. Then the sunshine came out and I am smiling again.

Isinde, I do hope your day goes well in town and you feel a little more chipper, and all other wonderful babes, best foot forward. xx

saf if your bloating is temporary, or if it comes and goes, then carry on with the digestive remedies. But if your tummy stays bloated, please go and see your doc - problems in your reproductive system sometimes show up as bloating.

I've PMed you Mouse.

i am well overdue cervical treatment actually venus. i have recurrent cell change stuff and i haven't been able to be bothered to get on the merry-go-round again of biopsies and treatment and blah blah blah. i should do of course. i will.

venus is absolutely right of course, and that goes for any change in your body systems or functions too. If it's a mild symptom, first try a natural remedy; if that hasn't worked within the week or so, get thee to a doctor and get it checked out!

Sarah dill is a fantastic carminative herb, as is the closely related fennel (both good for lactation and calming colic in the breastfeeding infant as well, incidentally). Most of the herbs and spices we use in cooking are good for the digestion and lots else too. The great advantage is that people tend to have them in the cupboard or can buy them in the supermarket, so they're easily accessible. I like a good old 'kitchen cupboard remedy'.

Somewhere I've got a series of mini articles I wrote for my DM's local parish magazine on herbal remedies you can find in the garden or the kitchen. I can dig it out and email it to anyone who wants it.

God my mind is boinging around all over the place today in a slightly worryingly manic way I'm suddenly buzzing with 101 things that seem very important, but I'm not really managing to settle down to anything. Nice to have a happy Monday though, so I'm just enjoying feeling optimistic.

i haven't got a pm from you mia. are you sure you sent it to the right name?

saf the PM was to mouse, about her meds. I can PM you too though if you like.

sorry I haven't been on here much - it goes too fast and I can't keep up!

I just wanted to share my goal, writing it down helps achieve it... hopefully. I've decided to limit my alcohol to 3 specific days a week (Tuesday, Friday & Sunday) I already limit the amount I drink at a time.

Feeling really pleased about this because usually I spend most of the afternoon trying to decide if I can have any or not; but today I just thought 'nope, it's only Monday' and it seems much easier to deal with.

If this works eventually I hope to drop it to just 2 days a week. Then, if still feeling strong, will try having wine in the house on the non-days & being able to resist.

And I agree that herbal teas are nice, fennel is very good when you've eaten too much....

I've not been on here. But I need to cut down the booze. Am bipolar and its not working. I just dread stopping.

I've been itching to come here all morning but haven't been able to because I'm at work. Have a moment now because I'm on lunch. I've been a long-time lurker but since having got the motivation together to actually post, I'm already feeling that being part of this community and contributing/sharing on a regular basis is vital to my recovery.

I can't sweep it under the carpet anymore. Now is the most dangerous time of day for me; I work part-time and finish mid-afternoon and walk through town on my way home. DD will either not be back from school for a couple of hours or I'll have the place to myself because she'll be at her dad's (I'm amicably divorced). The temptation to pop into Tesco to buy a lovely bottle of half-price sauvignon bl. can be overwhelming and the moment I close the front door behind me, I'll unscrew it (doesn't sound the same as uncork does it?) and go about my business with a glass constantly to hand. I'm not a lazy drunk you see, it seems to send me into hyper-efficient mode and I get the chores done so much quicker. The bottle's usually gone by the time DD gets home and of course because my tolerance is so high these days she has no clue that mummy has necked 9 units in record time. In fact I'll be itching to open another bottle.

I don't want it to be like that anymore. I want to get to a place where I'm not constantly thinking about whether I should drink or not. That's almost as bad as the drinking itself and it's tiring me out. I feel so self-indulgent talking about myself but I hope I'll be forgiven - it helps so much to get it out into the open and I know that you'll all understand. Hopefully after a while, when I'm a bit more wise and sober, I'll be able to offer some support too. Actually writing that has given me an insight; apart from being a people-pleaser, I've always felt driven to help other people and have never felt comfortable asking for help myself.
That's why this feels strange but I have a feeling some of you might understand. x

Okay. Deep breathe. This is going to make you all flame me. I am a mother. And I have just been done for the second time for drink driving. I am so ashamed and the worst punishment was telling DC (14). I simply cannot drink.

Sadsome - don't kid yourself. You'll just buy 2 bottles. I do.Then they are gone.....Sorry, not being at all judgmental!!! I'm doing it......

mia - god knows how i saw that as saf, sorry.

not at all self indulgent soma - certainly not in a bad way.

glad it helps to share stuff on here

i've done bugger all today so far. not a success.

Casablanca, well done for owning up to it. I'm a mother who drink-drives too. The only difference between you and me is that you've got caught and I haven't. Look at it positively - it's given you a wake-up call.

Thanks Saf

casa - welcome to the bus.

We're all here because of our drinking habits. No judgements, just lots of support.

Stick with us & see!

hi casablanca - not judging here as for all i know the only difference between you and i is that i don't drive. welcome aboard.

DS back to school tomoz, but DD not til next Wednesday!!

Am truly going to go mad! Are these people trying to get me to drink or what?!!