The Brave Babes Battle Bus - All Going On A Sober Holiday! <crosses fingers that it stays sunny>

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, mouse

Welcome to The Brave Babes Battle Bus, grab yourself a seat, they're really comfy and a , oh and a home-made chocolate chip before they all get eaten!

We're a Bus full of alcohol abusers/addicts, some of us say it out loud, some whisper it and some aren't ready to say it at all just yet.

That said, there are a few of us who just have the occasional drink and that's something that they can handle. There are a few of us who must NEVER have another drink because that first one will lead to many, many more which will only ever end badly.

We're open to all....there are no requirements to join us on our journey to sobriety, there's support, great laughs, tears and tantrums here and that's just me!!!

If you'd like to see how we got here, follow THIS LINK

LRD - well done on day three, I hope you weren't offended by my last post to you, about being back here xx

DD has now gone, quick hug and an I love you and she's off. Nemo is watching tv, the washing is on, some hung out, I'm going to get showered and dressed, make another cuppa, and think about what to write in DH's card for tomorrow.

Six whole years of marriage. I had never wanted to marry (DD's father and I didn't marry) anyone after leaving my abusive ex.... I wanted to heal and be alone. I met DH seven years ago and we just sort of clicked.

We've had some rough times, with losing he boys, Nemo's little scary adventures in hospital fighting for his life, moving into a house that was in need of so much repair and work it was almost only a shell whilst pregnant, hitting many walls but always getting over them, losing loved ones, greeting new arrivals to our families...... re-building the house we're in now bit by bit but doing it together..... we've shared lots of wonderfully happy times and lots of terribly sad times too.

But we're still together, I love DH as much as I ever have, more even and count my blessings each day for having a man who doesn't hit me, lie to me, rape me, cheat on me, or try to destroy the person who I am, like my awful ex did.

I have someone who wants to be loved for who he is, just like me

Of course not, mouse! Not at all. You're right, it is sad, but I'm glad I've got this thread to come back to, it does really help. And I think it's the same for most (all?) of us, isn't it? We do slip back and try again.

I'm keeping my mind on the fact that a year off the booze will have done good things for my liver, and it has helped me see so many things much straighter, and it has shown me I can do it, and these are still good things even though I need to start again now.

Congratulations on six years. Your DH sounds like a lovely bloke (though it is awful to have to think of it in terms of the things he doesn't do - your ex deserves to rot.)

Hope you have a beautiful day today.

mouse says: I used to measure the wine in my glass and compare it to DH's and if he had more, I'd take a sip out of mine and top it up.

It's really great to have just one less. I used to take a glass to bed too, and read for a bit. I got to the point where I was asleep before I actually drank it would wake up to a warm, wasted glass of wine. Umm, that would be me

Yes I have worked hard this week (which is unlike me !) and deserve to relax; yes I want to have a glass of wine and natter with my sister; NO I do not want to be creeping round the house still drinking after everyone else has gone to bed; NO I do not want to be surreptitiously topping up my wine because no-one else is drinking fast enough...

I might try this 3 minute rule - when I want more, just wait a short while and have a soft drink first.

This takes more planning than an Olympic Ceremony...

Ah but think of the prize

That was an Olympic torch btw, not an ice-cream cone (although maybe ice-cream would be an equally good prize)

Although probably not for the Olympic contenders who would look a bit if they stood up on the winners' podium and were given an ice-cream

OK, I'll just go and enjoy the rest of my BIRTHDAY (oh, didn't I mention it before??)

Hi again everyone,
mouse
your strength is awesome. The way you face reality head on and get on with it makes me realise what a pitiful whinger I am. Your posts are so helpful and wise. Your advice to think about the good stuff and take yourself there is brilliant. You are so spot on (in my case anyway) when you say to kick the booze you have to find other ways of dealing with the shit life throws at you.
Finding this bus and the lovely people on it has become one of mine and got me this far.
Kotinka
Well done to you, great stuff!! If being bent over a chair stops you drinking, go for it
gugg
back on track, good for you.
crystal
Put yesterday behind you, as you said, you can do it.
venus
thanks for the wise words, you are right of course I do think of all the worst scenarios and I do have to find a way of facing RL without being permanently anaesthetised by the wine.

Have a good day everyonexx

Kotinka how about when I'm visiting the ageing parents, surreptiously opening the drinks cabinet and taking several deep slugs of whatever's to hand - sherry, gin, whisky (all of which I don't like the taste of) and waiting for a nice relaxing buzz...oh the shame

Going there tomorrow, the drinks cabinet will stay closed.

Venus a very happy birthday and thanks for the advice . I really hear what you're saying and am going to be oh so vigilant. And maybe I'll decide it's better not to drink after all. Love your take on the ceremonee!

Joey I hear what you're saying, topping up from other people's glasses was a favourite passtime of mine!

Kotinka not in recent years luckily! (I'm 54 BTW).

But as a horrid teen my dad knew what I was up to so he put a lock on the door and marked the level of the booze in the bottles after he noticed it going down! They still have the same cabinet, a 70s G-Plan affair, oh it takes me back to the good old, bad old days....

oh happy birthday venus hope you have a great day! and (ice-cream!)

Right I'm to my sisters, I will be thinking of you when I am offered that G&T and ask for some elderflower instead...

Ok, does anyone have any tips for discreetly NOT drinking. Have a big party tonight with a lot of gossips and judgy pants (have to go, its for my best friend). Thank you babes

Hi all, I have posted before but not for ages. This is such a supportive place. I'm not drinking at the mo, been 6 days. I'm not planning to give up forever, just for a while. I'm feeling very down today about family crap and would quite like a drink but not going to. I bought groceries yesterday- spent 20quid and got enough for 3 lovely healthy meals! Would have been nearer 40quid if I'd bought booze too so that feels good

Crystal, I would drink soda water and lime, looks like vodka. If anyone asks, sayyoure on antibiotics

hello

have been giving mn a wide berth for a while due to some stalky type nonsense including people discussing things i'd posted on this thread which really put me off posting but wanted to come say hi.

how is everyone?

one week into school holidays here. have kept fairly busy this week and am going to write a serious schedule of things to do to avoid me or the boy going nuts next week. have only come up with the cinema and swimming so far though so need more ideas. please share your top tips on how to get through six weeks full time with a 5yo boy!

we have a new puppy - little lhasa apso who's settling in really well and i can't actually think of anymore news so i guess my life is dull quiet as ever.

hope everyone is doing well with not drinking, controlling drinking, taking a break or whatever plan they're aiming at.

i've been sober for coming up for 4months now and am very, very glad of it. have been so much better mood wise and life is a lot more plain sailing - obviously life always has it's ups and downs but i feel so much more resilient since stopping drinking.

right - excuse the me, me, me (especially to newcomers who haven't got a clue who i am ). will try and start checking in again x

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VENUS you wonderful woman x

Venus I hope you have had a fantastic day my love xx

Mouse have a wonderful time away x

Saf awesome x

Isindie go on tell ? - how is married life suiting you!! x

Ma you did a week and I know how much that means - fekin amazing lady for the winner x

Faire as always the voice of reason

Thurso just xxxxx

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hi babes, I'm still here still reading was doing great but not so good anyomore. Will keep reading and keep posting and someday maybe I will be strong enough and sober enough to help like you ladies have

whispers MIFLAW MIFLAW MIFLAW three times while tapping shoes together

What's happened Skippy ?

Do you want to talk about it?

Do you know what ladeeys

I am just going to write.

I have tried and tried and tried to stop drinking and as some of you will know, I have failed many times.

BTW Skippy, I haven't gone but need to get this down.

BUT this time my mindset is different.

I'm not going to say any more at the moment, and I will come back on here, when I can say, truthfully, that i have been sober for a while.

BUT I will say this - this wonderful amazing place has been here for me, regardless, whether sober or pissed or somewhere in between.

And if you are new or relatively new on here - stick with it, trust me, it will help you x