The Brave Babes Battle Bus - On Their Way To............... Amarillo?

[Mouseface]

.............. sorry, ran out of ideas tonight!

Hello, tis me, Mouse and I have a very abusive relationship with alcohol, vodka in particular.

Welcome to the Battle Bus, full of totally Brave Babes all on their own personal journey to sobriety. Some are there, some are still on their way and some aren't quite ready yet but stay on the Bus for a good old natter

Wherever you are in your quest to get back control of your drinking, we've all been there too so you're not alone, not by a long shot.

Come take a seat and say hello.

If you'd like to know the history behind this amazing journey, you can follow the links back HERE

See you soon x

Celery and Soma, I so know what you mean about staying single. I haven't even thought about a relationship for the last year or so, because I simply couldn't imagine letting a person into my secret life, or giving up my secret life to let a person in.

I'm starting to think differently now. My mojo is returning :o, and I've eliminated my unwanted lover who's never done me any good; chucked, ousted, rejected. Maybe I'll be ready and receptive if I can have the strength to keep him out of my life forever.

I think it's so important that we try to like ourselves physically, even if there is no man to impress. Nice knickers and bras are definitely a step towards that (even if we are the only ones that ever see them!), along with decent haircuts, and nice clothes.

I actually did a bit of exercise this evening; weights, stepper, and abdo - all in the comfort of my own home. All little baby steps towards liking myself, both inside and out.

mouse I too have peeked at your profile - you are indeed testament to the well fitted bra (or I've just blown my theory out of the water!) Btw Nemo is such a lovely little sweetheart!

soma - I hope parents eveing went ok. And carrie YY I just can't be arsed with getting into anything at the moment which tbh is just as well as I live northern and rural so there are literally no decent single men around. I've been single for almost 3 years now and it was a bit of a shock to realise that most men in their 40s look like, well - men in their 40s. They don't, it seems look like David Tennant. So unless things drastically change or I become less delusional single life it is!

Good for you with the exercise. I am another with the Shred dvd sitting on the shelf.

Well another day and no alcohol. Was sorely tempted this evening but had distracted myself with work. I will now go to bed so that I'm not tempted to have a nightcap. Night all!

Here goes!

I stumbled across this wondeful thread one evening and instead of realising the subject matter and quickly moving on and putting my head in the sand I decided to come back to it in the morning and read ... properly.

So I did.... at the right time, which was on Bank Holiday Monday where I felt like utter shit cos I'd drunk the weekend away, again. 5 bottles of wine over 3 days :(

I'm depressed, but I don't know whether I'm depressed because of the booze or not. I made an effort to go to the GP a year ago, but she was so unsympathetic, took blood tests but didn't explain the results, so I never went back.

I want to sort this out myself, but not to be silly about it, so will stop drinking and see how things go after a few weeks.

I had 2 pints of beer with a colleague last night (he had 5 - I would normally have matched him) but haven't had anything else since Sunday.

Already I'm finding myself making excuses to drink at the weekend, even though by then my sleeping should be just about back to 'normal'.

I plan to join you babes for moral support while sipping tea or juice !

H x

I'm back. Thank you all so much for your kind words xx.

Silly there's no need to try and work it all out in one go - there isn't any urgency to the point where you should stress yourself out. Put it all in a box and put it in the metaphorical wardrobe when you need a break, and bring it out to peek into when you feel stronger. Bit by bit by bit, I reckon. All these posts are here now for you to peruse as and when you're ready, so you can go at your own pace. Your dad isn't going anywhere for the minute, so you've got time to plan your strategy and safeguard you own mental health!

Soma I'm so glad you stopped there and were the model of decorum at DD's parents evening. You like sailing a bit close to the wind too, don't you! Did it go alright seeing your ex too?

Mouse what beautiful, wise words as usual. x

We couldn't be arsed to watch the film, so watched Two Hungry Italians instead. I had about half a bottle of wine, so not too bad.

Right, bras!
I'm a 32F so I need those diggers that Mouse posted... I know mine have made my dodgy back much more dodgy over the years. I can't find many bras that fit me, as the mass of my breasts are wider than my ribcage, so the bit that's supposed to go between the breasts doesn't lay flat against the sternum iyswim.

I've found a design that suits me, and that's all I wear; I've got several in different colours and those are all I wear... boring but fairly comfy.
Here it is

Soma my dog is a cocker spaniel. They're known for being utterly loony and wanting to be your shadow - never leaving your side unless they get the scent of something interesting, in which case you won't see them for dust.

Hi Hazy Welcome to the bus. 'Tis a wonderful place.

Hello H xx

Well done and welcome to the madhouse.

So, what next? What do you want and when?

Mouse looks like they should do the trick!

Celery I live south and urban and still no decent men around either. But somehow I'm not devastated anymore at the thought I'll remain single. And of course I might not, even if I say so myself I'm in bloody good nick for an old bird and I love what Carrie says about looking after ourselves. For no-one other than ourselves.

Even though I've been a bad babe tonight I don't feel destitute. I know I've messed up and will no doubt do so again, I wish I hadn't but maybe it really is all part of life's rich tapestry. Lots of love to you all, sleep safe and let's all carry on tomorrow with this wonderful experiment that's called living. Apologies for lyrical waxing

Wow Mouse I didn't realise you had a full profile with pics and stuff. You look gorgeous, as do your whole family!

Welcome Hazy It is a great place on the bus :)

I

Hi mouse and mia

I want to try to figure out why I so desperately feel the need to get drunk. There's probably a lot of reasons - brother died of cancer 6 years ago, never really grieved, mum uses wine as a 'treat' as do I, seperated from H 3 years ago, living in a strange town with no support network outside of work .... wow ... that sounds so 'woe is me' heh

I don't think I want to stop completely forever, but I do need to get a grip!

Mia nice bra, might give it a try. Sailing a bit close to the wind? Spot on, does it do it for you too?

I simply must grow up!

Nite nite, brave bonkers babes xx

The other thing you all deserve is nice nails and toes!! It may be my job but trust me well groomed nails and Minx-ed toes will make you feel amazing..... Little treats go a long way to make you feel valued (spoken by a woman who treats others but struggles to treat herself...... Go figure!)

Here waving pom poms and being in awe of you all as usual

Oops posted too soon!

I was going to say, I had a memorable experience with getting bra fitted a few months back. I was wearing a 36d when I went to get fitted (I go once a year) When the lady measured me she told me I was a 42b, I told her this could not be right but she was adament. She then asked me which Bra's I wanted and I showed her the pretty lacey ones, My dp was sat watching as he was treating me for my birthday, I was then informed that I was the wrong size for the pretty lacey type and was directed to the big mamma nasy bras (granny style) I was fuming by this point, I knew I had put on weight but from a 36 to a 42...no way!!! I told her that was not what I wanted and she replied ' there is a place in the market for bigger ladies like you' I was mortified lol. I walked out with my dp following and wondering what the heck was going on.
I then went to depenhams which is where I normally go and they fitted me correctly with a 36c. I was so relieved! I wont go anywhere else again.

Hi Hazy Nice to meet you
Horses Very true about treating yourself. My treats have been wine which has meant letting the rest of me go to ruin. New underwear for me tomorrow and I am going to get my eyebrows threaded. Might even book a hair appointment for myself next week (I have been doing the MN haircut for a while )
Anyway, I feel exhausted. Very heavy legged.

Night Babes and thankyou again for welcoming me back this week and holding my hand

xx

It does, soma, it does!

Hazy it's a big 'treat' thing for me too - 'if I can survive the day and be something approaching a good mother, then I deserve my wine at the end of the day'.

Just read back over the replies to my posts earlier and wanted to say that I'm really glad that what I wrote resonated with others' experiences too. I've felt lighter this evening than I have done for a while, and I think it's that I told you all that earlier. It really is good to get it out there, isn't it?

Just wanted to clarify one other thing (god I'm such an anal stickler for detail ) - my dad was in a coma following his collapse, hence they rang me to make the decisions. He never regained consciousness, so it's not as though he was lying there asking for me

Goodnight sad and truth I am off to sleep now too. Wishing all you Babes a very bright eyed, clear headed day tomorrow.
Goodnight all x

Horses - I'm sporting a full set of gels as I type. My own little bit of glam

Orf to Bedfordshire now........... back to do a new thread in the morning.

Night lovely Babes xx

Nails are good for your soul!

I am one who puts emotions in boxes and closes the lid. Not sure where this has left me......

Mouse X-post - good girl! Gel overlays in a lush colour are my absolute favourite.....

I'm jumping in, I hope nobody minds. But reading posts about alcoholic parents hits a raw nerve.

My dad died in 1995. He HAD been a successful businessman, handsome and he had a family. Drink ruined him. He died when he was 44 years.

It's been 12 years and there isn't a day goes by that I don't feel sadness that he wasted his life. (My youngest DC looks so much like him, has his eyes) But I think what sits heaviest on my heart, is that I didn't ever try to help him. Of course I was young. Only 22 when he died. But by then, he disgusted me to be honest. If I could have seen myself now and known how I would feel, I would have at least spoken with him and given him a cuddle.

He was all alone when he died. He had nobody. He probably felt that there wasn't a single person that cared about him.

Tragic. I only post this to urge people to make peace with their loved ones however hard it might be. Rather that than a lifetime of regret. x

Hit the wrong button. It's been 18 years!!! I'm sure you would have worked that out

going I'm sorry to read your post. The thread is moving so fast- are you because you're worried about your drinking?

Morning, tis me, Mouse

Greeny - such a sad story but thank you for sharing it with us. It happens, we lose beautiful, kind hearted people to the twisted secret of drinking. Sometimes we know, sometimes we don't until it is too late.

Your words about wishing you'd given him a cuddle made me really feel for you. That after all is said and done, he was still your father and NOTHING could change that part of him, no matter how he was on the outside with you and others, he will have loved you on the inside, maybe the drinking had clouded his emotions........ so very sad.

Big hugs to you lovely xx

Off to do the new thread after one heck of a night with little Nemo - coughs are so nasty in toddlers aren't they?

Did anyone see Russell Howard last night the little boy with an enlarged heart who got a transplant at 3 years old? Makes you value your life that little bit more.

Morning Babes.

Mouse I didn't see that but yes, makes you glad for what you've got, doesn't it.

Hi green I'm sorry to hear that. Regret when someone is gone is just an awful thing, isn't it. Your dad made his choices though, so please don't blame yourself for what was an entirely understandable reaction at such a young age.

Hazy I meant to say last night - I'm sorry about your brother.

Mouse you could rub a cut clove of garlic on The soles of Nemo's feet - if you do this to babies then shortly afterwards you can smell it on their breath. It's absorbed through the skin and excreted on the breath. He's still little so it will hopefully work on him. Garlic is a brilliant respiratory disinfectant because you exhale it so it does its business in the lungs on the way out - good for coughs, sore throats etc.. You can make garlic honey too, and give him a bit to lick. Let me know if you want the recipe.

Off for a good long walk with a friend and the dogs now. Haven't walked her this week because she's had a problem with her paw, so it'll be good to blow the cobwebs away.

Happy Friday Babes x