The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Starting the Summer Filled With Luscious Mocktails.

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse and I used to drink far too much. Too much vodka to be exact, then too much wine, then too much cider....... you can imagine how it went.

This Bus is full of people like me, and people like you actually. Sober people, drinkers, a few not surers, and those who are simply 'somewhere'.

The one thing that we have in common is that we can/do/did/will abuse alcohol.

Some for a number of years, some months, some for their entire adult (and before) lives.

The support here is for everyone. Those in AA, those who are taking medication to help, those going it alone, those with the support of others. We're all here for the same reason.

Why not come and say hello? We are all so very different in our every day lives but we all have a common theme.....

And, for those who want to see where all of this began 2 years ago, HERE IS a link to all of the past Bus rides.

I can't believe I have just stood in the kitchen and pondered having a drink!!!! I say pondered because I don't actually think I would have let myself. But that damn little devil on my shoulder was saying "go, you know you want a drink"

My danger time is definitely when I'm cooking dinner. Off to dish up now and have poured everyone a glass of juice.

Well done Daisy it's good that you can recognise a trigger for what it is. I call it 'low blood sugar' - I don't know if it is or not but if I fancy a drink before I eat I just say to myself, "Y'know what Faire that's probably just your low blood sugar talking".

Not sure why I bolded my own name there

Well done for resisting Daisy.
In the interests of checking in I think I am up to 21 months sober now. I can't really believe it, and it is all down to the support on here.
I am very excited because Soma and I are having a meet up this weekend if all goes well. It will be great to meet one of the Babes in person.

bproud that is brilliant 21 months! Well done!

I think I may have figured out my 'need' (as opposed to a trigger which is like being tired, upset, worried etc) I always like to have something to look forward to at the end of the day... at the moment it has now become a hot chocolate, its my little 'treat'. It would be nice if it was something healthier though - why isn't herbal tea addictive?

Righto babes, I need a hobby. It seems that now I don't need one hand to hold a wine glass, I have time on my hands. Any good ideas?

Can't give myself a manicure every evening. My hands have never looked so good! Would move to my feet now, but I'm too tired

Thanks joey
I am still making sure I have a treat each day, woe betide my DH if there is no chocolate in the house!

sudoku or online scrabble?

Wow! This no drinking lark has many unsuspected benefits. I switched on my computer at 7am for my Next online sale slot

Wouldn't have done that if I'd been drinking last night.

Feel great! Just waiting for the kids to wake up so we can all overdose on cuddles today. We're visiting good friends later, then I'm taking my mum out for tea. I wouldn't have done that either because it means driving. So all good

Sounds lovely Daisy (sounds like The Boing?). Have a great day.

I've been poorly, full of cold, a miserable snuffling, bunged up wreck. Am now nearly over it though, just a cough hanging around and very tired. I don't get ill very often but this time I think I might have caught man flu'

I blame the bloody weather. Hose and I are seriously contemplating moving to Australia. They are doing a recruitment drive at the moment in the field he works in. He is a very outdoorsy, active, sunworshipper and so far I have resisted his hints at upping sticks for sunnier climes but now even I am tempted I have to admit.

I do love good old Britain but not sure if I can stand the high housing costs and bad weather. Will have to think on for a bit . . .

Hope babes are all doing well, don't forget to shout for help if needed, or just come for a chat about anything.

See you later

Hello! Quick post, am on Day 5. I am not stressing about it at all. I might slip and drink again in the future but this board has changed my mindset. I will not ever drink again without the realisation of what it costs me. I won't ever drink again and think its ok. I plan to never drink again - but if I do, I will climb right back on this bus.

Anyway, Daisy - I work at night to keep me busy! Otherwise, reading, pottering (I love to potter about the kitchen, sort cupboards etc.), planning holidays (I plan about 10 holidays a year and take very few!).

Faire ((( ))) Sorry you are unwell. I used to live in Australia (Adelaide) and have friends there - pm me if you want me to put you in touch with real Aussies...

Anway, for all the babes who want to hear about LittleMissGee ... I have news!! Remember that 2 year old of two years ago, who was anxious and had all the poo trouble? Who was shy and clingy and struggling generally? Today LittleMissGee had her school settling in session. . And she was fine She went in clutching her best friend's hand with a jaunty wave, jumping about with excitement. She was so brave. I even saw the cheeky monkey try to hand her coat to a teacher as she went in the door - as if it was her servant like me.

I am proud. Today I am sober. I am proud. I am a different person to the one I was two years ago. I will not go back.

hi everyone, im new to all this but have been following your threads with great interest. I have a 1yr old and a 13yr old and a generally stressful life. what bothers me is my reliance on wine in the evening to relax!!! i am now drinking a bottle every night and have been known to open a second. I am currently suffering with depression and i am well aware that wine is a depressant and need to lose a bit of weight to be fit enough to enjoy my little one and the wine is also the culprit with my weight. i really need to cut down but wine seems to be my greatest friend and worst enemy, i could use some support.

mrsgee sober is good. I finally got to watch the Ozzy Osbourne programme last nigt. Hated all the swearing, but the end was remarkable. How he described happiness and laughing for proper reasons. Drinking really doesn't make any part of your life better. Well done you! My youngest son goes to school after the summer too. I cry just thinking about it X

babyjane Do you have a kindle? Go download the allen Carr book now. It really did change my perspective on things. You are on here, so first step has been made. Keep posting X

Morning, tis me, Mouseface

Sorry, not been here much have I?

Hope everyone is okay, I'll be here later to have a good old catch up and see how everyone is. Last night was extreme hell if I'm being honest...... Nemo has stopped liking his respite worker, been a bit off for a few weeks.....

Anyway, total and utter meltdown when she arrived yesterday and he begged to go to bed. So, I put him to bed, told DH and went out to do what I needed, what a mistake that was.

I have been up from 12.20 until 1.30am, then from 3.30 to 6.45am with him. He hit me, kicked me, punched me with his toy figure............ I'm at a loss as to what to do today, do I mention it or leave it, it's a new day etc......

My gut says leave it, move on and deal with it if it happens again. I did ask him to stop (he didn't) I did move away and he followed to reach me

Anyway, be back later. Love to you all. Oh, and I have a new diet to share with those who want it!!! You can have bread and cheese!!! xx

Oh my god, bread and cheese?? Sign me right up. Have been doing crap on the diet front but not drinking so small steps.

I would like to know the diet. Does it allow golden crunch creams as well? I've just eaten 5 of those with my cup of tea

Hi daisy 0407 thanks for the advice but unsure which
Book you mean, he's published loads

welcome babyjane I'm sure you will find lots of support and advice here.

hello mouse been thinking about you, sounds like you are going through a tough time. Its a good thing you have cheese...

I am trying to decide if I want to hop off the bus this weekend for my birthday... I never said this would be forever, but am in 2 minds. Certainly don't want to get back into bad habits!

Have also considered instead of automatically reaching for my usual tipple I should try something different, I was thinking of some pear cider I had a while ago. This would be a) lower alcohol b) fizzy which would put me off having too much and c) further help the habit-breaking. Still not sure and ABOVE ALL don't want to obsess and worry about it.

For those of you who do controlled drinking, how do you decide when it is 'okay' to have something?

Joey I would consider a birthday celebration a 'normal' occasion to drink. It's when you start finding all sorts of reasons to drink that it could be considered a problem with controlled drinking.

You are really the only one who can make the decision whether or not to drink. The only thing I will say is that if you do not drink you are guaranteed to wake up the next morning without a hangover. And you 100% will not regret not having a drink.

Maybe have a good think about why you stopped in the first place. Was it because you felt your drinking was out of control, or that once you started you would always have too much? Are you already considering drinking over two days, rather than just the one? Those thoughts would be things to watch out for, imo.

Sorry, not much help to you there, but it's such a personal journey, it's a tricky one.

Mouse I wouldn't bring it all up again with him now. He was probably very tired and stressed at the time. But poor you, that's so hard to handle. Did something happen between Nemo and his respite worker do you know? That seems a rather extreme reaction. Does he associate her with an unhappy or painful experience? Perhaps you need to find someone to train you in restraint techniques so that if it happens again you can hold him safely until he calms.

Now about that cheese and bread diet . . . < drools >

Hey MsGee great to hear from you and good to hear that HRHLittleMissGee is in high spirits as usual. I hope they know what they've taken on there . Thanks for the offer of aussie contacts, will bear in mind if it ever happens, who knows.

Hello and welcome to babyjane. I was in the same position as you a year ago. I mostly wanted to cut back on drinking because I just couldn't lose weight. Now I'm two stone lighter and still going strong. I'm going down the healthy eating/lifestyle changes type route. Stick with us and we'll help you get there. What are you going to do differently this evening, do you have a plan?

Right, I know it's early but I'm ready for a hot bubble bath. It feels like autumn here today.

See you later x

Just wanted to say a quick hello to everyone, sorry not to namecheck but things really hectic at the moment. Sick pets, changes at work (hopefully good ones but need working out) and a very moody pre-teen daughter.

Joey can empathise, am having tentative thoughts about controlled drinking and actually forgot to take my antabuse last night. Will make sure I pop a pill tonight. Holiday coming up and wondering how I'll get through the week without a glass of wine in the evening. I don't really want it that much though and I do feel I've broken the habit of drinking but I suppose I can't imagine being the only person not drinking. I've come so far though and feel really healthy after nearly a month of walking the dog and the weight is falling off.

Mouse sorry to hear you're having a hard time with Nemo - June bit DD earlier, apparently she does this quite a lot and they're trying to train her not to. It's so strange, she has this angelic little face framed by curls, a bit like Nemo I expect.

Back home after a lovely day with friends. My mum appreciated tea out. A nice change for her. Boys are now playing with lego (nicely for a change) and my brain is screaming at me "POUR A GLASS OF WINE!!"

There's something about chilling out in a peaceful house that make me want to sit back with a pinot grigio in hand. Really stupid too. Because if I had been drinking by now I would be tired and chasing the boys to bed.

mouse must be so stressful for you, can't imagine X

soma I have the same thoughts about holidays. We're going All Inclusive later his year. Wine on tap for heavens sake!!

Later babes X

Daisy have you tried something like a nothing & tonic, or a lime & soda, or elderflower, for example, with lots of ice and a slice of lemon. Dress it up as if it were a chilled alcoholic drink. It's just as satisfying.

The only real difference is that it won't make you drunk. I find it helps to decide whether you want a chilled drink that tastes lovely or whether you want to get drunk.

Because if it's the first, a non alcoholic drink will do the job just as good. If it's the second, then one glass won't do it. So instead of saying to yourself I really fancy a glass of Pinot Grigio, try being as honest as you can and say I really fancy a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Doesn't sound so reasonable when you say it like that.

God, I am so fed up. I've put myself to bed because I am sick of the sight of me looking so grumpy.
This bloody weather, no exercise, bloody work, bloody builders, another bloody delay on my bloody kitchen extension.

I am sick of improvising in a half built kitchen, it hasn't been functional since May 9th...

Evening, tis me, Mouse

Not read back, wanted to get the diet info down for everyone whilst I had the chance.... Nemo is asleep and hasn't hit me today -yay!

Okay, so, the theory goes that you have something small but satisfying..... he's a French Dude - Dr. Cohen - and this diet is HUGE in Oz

I'm going to list the groups, it's supposed to be for four weeks btw - and then the suggested meals. I know this isn't a diet thread but it all helps us to feel that bit more alive doesn't it? Losing weight, eating better......this was in June's issues of Red magazine.

So - BREAKFAST

1 SERVING OF CARBS = 30g chunk of French bread OR a small roll OR 1 slice of granary bread OR 2 Ryvita crackers OR 3 normal/average size rice cakes OR 20g of cereal.

PLUS 1 PORTION OF FAT = 10g butter OR 15g nuts OR 1 egg.

PLUS 1 PORTION OF DAIRY = 1 Babybel light OR 1 small pot (125ml/g) of low-fat yoghurt OR 50g of low-fat cottage cheese OR 100ml of semi-skimmed milk/150ml of skimmed

PLUS 1 PORTION OF FRUIT = 1 apple/pear/ OR 1/2 a banana OR 2 kiwi fruits OR 3 clementines OR 200g of any berries OR 180g of pineapple OR 1 tbsp of jam/honey.

LUNCH =

1 PORTION OF PROTEIN = 1 chicken drumstick (grilled or roasted or the equivalent of a skinless breast) OR 125g of lean ham, grilled steal, roasted lean turkey breast, roasted beef OR 150g of white fish OR 125g of tuna/salmon/sardines OR 2 eggs OR 120g tofu.

PLUS 2 PORTIONS OF VEGETABLES = 1 as a salad and one as a starter - most veg are allowed (but starchy veg or a potato is only 1 small one) so lettuce, cucumber, spring onions, radish, nice and light veggies even though it's crap weather!!

PLUS 1 PORTIONS OF CARBS = 30g rice/pasta (100g cooked) OR 125g potatoes OR 1 thick slice of bread OR 3 Ryvita crackers

PLUS 1 PORTION OF DAIRY = 20g of hard cheese OR 30g of goats/soft cheese OR 1 tbsp low-fat creme fraiche OR 125g low-fat yoghurt OR fruit as at breakfast.

Obviously, you can mix and match the items, as long as you stick to the portion allowance per meal.

You can have a latte coffee as long as it's made with skimmed milk and no sugar, water is key, fruit juices need to be counted as one of your fruit portions.

I'm going to post this now and add dinner next, plus treats and ideas....

Bproud - I feel your pain, washing dishes in the fecking bath for 8 weeks is hell. NEVER again will I have builders on my house. EVER! Big hugs xxxx

Sounds good and easy to manage Mousie Great that you had a better day with Nemo too.