The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Are Going To Need A Bigger Bus!

[Mouseface]

Which is FANTASTIC!

Welcome to the Brave Babes Battle Bus, I'm Mouse and I'm addicted to cheese, but have a pretty nasty relationship with alcohol too, mainly vodka.

This Bus is for anyone and everyone. Drinking or sober, or somewhere in between or just not sure if you're drinking too much........... this is the place to ask and maybe have a chat too.

No pressure, no judging, no cliquey savoury flans (although I'm rather partial to a cheese slice ), we're all on The Bus for the same reason; alcohol.

Even if it's not you, and you'd like to talk about someone you know, come and say hi. We won't bite, well, not unless you ask very nicely!

And, if you'd like to see our journey so far, follow THIS LINK and read back through the previous links there.

See you soon xx

Oi! Gorgeous, yes you, IsinDe - get back over there for about, oh, ten minutes?

Almost full on the last thread, I'm going to post the link again.

Night all, time for the Mentalist

BOO x

Curls up on the back seat, with DS who is being super-cuddly.

Waves to all, on the bus, in the sidecar and on the roofrack

Hopping on

I'll bring some drinks.

Hot and cold. Horlicks and spicy Virgin Mary mocktails.

Just a quick check-in before bed. Thanks for the new thread Mouse. Hope you sleep well.

Hopefully, that's shocking. Some people... There are some truly horrible people out there, but then there are some wonderful people too, like all these Brave Babes . Take care of yourself.

Soma, you belong here (And I mean that in a friendly, caring kind of way, not in a 'you're a raving alkie' way!! ). You'll get there, we all will. I just know it

Sleep well everyone.

Night Night again Brave Babes - I'm now in bed on the ipad with the cocker curled up on the backs of my knees.

Isinde a dry Friday night - brilliant. What changed?

Not dry here but was intending to be in the sidecar tonight. I haven't managed the controlled/ moderate drinking I hoped for, but all this has made me ever so much more aware of my drinking and I drink much less than I did. I didn't pour a glass today until 6.30, rather than the 5pm on the dot it was before. I feel like i'm getting there, albeit by a circuitous route, and that wouldn't have happened without this wonderful place and you wonderful Babes. Thank you xx

Reserves a place on the bus. Drinking tonic and lemon (G&T mocktail). Proud of myself tonight, hoping for the same tomorrow H x

Budge up.

Aaaaah, lovely.

Mouse you lovely gorgeous lady, yes we need a bigger bus. Your post earlier made me cry, cos you understand and I so hope you are happy with your lovely family and little Nemo. My ex has a little girl of 3 with similar issues to Nemo, (DD's half-sister) and she has a dreadful cough right now and keeps being sick but she lights up the room, wherever she is.

Mia I'm snuggled up next to you, but sad to say am almost comatosely drunk :( so will crash out pronto and wake up with a stinking hangover. Have to go and see the ageing parents tomorrow, know I must support them but feel like telling them it's all their fault I'm such a dipso. But of course I won't, I have to take responsibility. Can someone tell me who goes on the roofrack by the way?

Very envious of you Mia with cocker curled up on your bed. A lady from a greyhound rescue place left me a message today, maybe I should go for it.
Hugs and gratitude to you all, sleep well xx

Morning Beautiful Babes
Have woken after a massive 10hour sleep! Had 5minutes last night where I thought, ooh 1 glass of wine will be fine. Actually, I really think I would have stopped at 1 glass last night, but didn't want to have wine in the house incase I drank it this morning

Soma I am glad we have "met" too. We will get there, however long it takes Hope you don't feel too bad this morning, lots of water and maybe some fresh air? Aw, a dog sounds fantastic, maybe it is the right time for you to get one?

Hopefully What a shit thing for your friend to do. It is awful when a friend lets you down, I echo what Chasing said, it can feel as bad as a relationship breakup. Don't let the situation bring you down x

Isinde Yay for a sober Friday night Feels weird doesn't it?

Waves to all the other Babes xx

Hi everyone

So very many thanks for all your messages. and Mouse thanks for your PM.

I did not drink last night thank goodness and obviously am hoping the cravings don't start tonight!

Angel have a fantastic weekend in your caravan - we are thinking of getting a tourer van come the summer! I bet the kids will mither you to get in the club house tonight tho' - we went to similar places last summer with discos and competitions at night quite daft and they loved it.

Which I suppose brings me back to the "do I want to stop or cut down question" I have really had enough of the "well I will just cut down I will only drink on Tuesday/ Thursday and Sunday and not on the other days and clearly that is still leading to me drink a lot because when I buy it I buy a lot and drink it fast and then sometimes get that "I want some more" feeling and brave my embarrassment and go over to the pub for some more must be great for my image around here!

So I have had a belly full of the drinking at home and really the nights I dont are more fun

But yes I do like going out with my DH and having a few drinks when we are out and it doesnt seem to end nearly as badly - he is quiite a firm influence he will say enough now lets go home and so on.

Jesus alias Greyhound and Nonastemia thanks for all your welcomes

Mouse - Baptism when? is that for your little boy? I am thinking of having joint christening for both ours in the summer - do you have your godparents on board? I have asked one best friend she was delighted need to get a few more onboard

Well DH has got up early to go fishing so we are all up lovely day here and we are off to try a new dancing class for dd then the park and stepping stones then hitting Claires accesories in town - will be fun! and then back home and maybe a dvd cant be doing with the Voice or BGT but maybe some of you are watching it?

Have a lovely weekend everyone and enjoy the sunshine

hi guys, it's been two weeks since my ridiculous drinking binge. When I joined you that weekend I said I was worried that had developed a low level drinking habit - glass or two of wine most nghts, which was vaguely worrying me. Then that terrible binge.

So, it has been two weeks - and I haven't touched a drop.

I am not going to say never, cos I am not even sure I never want to drink again, but I don't want to be drunk again, and I was keen to break my wine most nights habit, which I seem to have done for now.

i've not bought any wine since, and have kept myself busy in the early evenings, which is when I like to drink.

oh, and I realise most of the times I thought "I really could murder a drink" are actually "I am knackered and want my mind to chill and an excuse to slump".

So, I have been going to sleep when I need to, and having less dream filled sleeps, although waking up very early.

I like wine, but actually owning up to myself that I was using it - even at a modest level - as an excuse to chill rather than just, er chilling, I have found it a bit easier. it was as if I needed a glass of wine to say "i have officially switched off for the day" when in fact I can just say that I have switched off.

So far so good, but I am not sure I should ever risk drinking again, as how easy would it be to slip back into the bad habita.

Sorry for the essay, hope you are all well.

Morning Ann and Chopin . Sounds like you're doing great, well done.

Isinde, hope you're feeling boingy this morning. How are the wedding plans coming on? You're right about taking responsibility for our drinking. I have only myself to blame for my drinking. I didn't even have alcoholic parents. 2 of my 3 parents (I have a stepdad too) don't drink at all. However I do believe that my anxiety, low self-esteem, neuroticism etc is very much down to my upbringing. And I now realise that it is that anxiety and self-loathing that led to my drinking too much. It comforted me and stopped me thinking. What I should have done though is not turned to alcohol but some kind of therapy, or requested medication for my anxiety/depression. I drank for many, many years after realising that it was not healthy or helpful in the long-run, and that is no-one's fault except my own. Soma, I keep thinking of you and what you have said about your parents and how you were scared and felt like a second-class citizen as a child That really resonated with me. I know some people don't think it's necessary to be so reflective and introspective but for me I know that this type of analysis is absolutely essential (that may be just me though ). It must be hard for you right now with your parents (or just dad?) needing you at the moment and I realise you may not be able to 'go there' right now but do you think you could maybe at least label that box and acknowledge your childhood's impact upon your life? Maybe keep the box sealed and hidden away for another time? Just to know that there may be a reason why you sometimes feel down about yourself and need to escape might help? Sorry if I have the wrong end of the stick. You sound so sad sometimes, and seem to really dislike yourself at times . I just want you to accept yourself, and to care for and look after yourself. It is horrible to see you pressing the self-destruct button . But hey today's a whole new day, and I wish you a clear head, sunshine and peace of mind

Hope everyone's OK this morning. We have sunshine!! At last!!!

Boing!

Haven't caught up yet, just grabbing a seat. Am off to a wedding today and they are blessed with glorious sunshine. Is it a sign?

Not leaving til later so I may pop back before I go. If not, have a fab weekend everyone, will catch up later x

Morning Faire. I have a little boing of my own, it's good isn't it? I hope the family drama/stress has eased by the way. Have a lovely time at the wedding x

Morning Babes.

What a lovely morning it is - makes such a difference to my mood.

Faire "is it a sign"... My wedding day was gloriously warm and sunny, but I was divorced inside 3 years so I doubt it...

SadSoma now you listen to me missy, you've had two days of drinking and beating yourself up, how can we help you have an AFD today so you feel better? If you find you hit the M25 and start thinking about a drink like last time, how about you call in and see me for a pep talk before you get to your parents? I'm a few miles from Guildford so it's nearby. I'll pm you my address if you think that might help.

Ann that's fab - it sounds like you've really made some changes.

Chopin yay you came back! Sounds like you've got a good day planned - hope the weather stays nice for you.

DD had her friend for a sleepover last night and an interrupted night of sleep was had by all. They're downstairs watching horrible histories now and plotting how to get me to agree to a return sleepover tonight (= very grumpy and overtired DD tomorrow ). Still, it's a gorgeous morning here so I'm going to go out and see what's occurring in the pond... Ooh it's an exciting life I lead!

Morning Mia, glad to hear the sun's out where you are too. It does make a huge difference to how you feel doesn't it? . You're brave even considering sleepovers two nights on the trot! And do tell us what's in your pond. Nature is truly awesome isn't it? I hope you have a lovely day, you deserve it

I really must get dressed now

Checking in .