The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Still On A Sober Holiday, Waiting For The Summer!

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, Mouse

I'm one of the Brave Babes on the Battle Bus, it's HUGE and never gets full, the doors are always open, 24/7, every single day.

We're a mixture of people who have been drinking for most of our lives and in one way or another, abuse(d) alcohol.

Some of us have stopped drinking every day completely and are taking it One Day At A Time.

Some are trying to control their drinking with medication, willpower, AA, some of us aren't quite sure what we want or where we're trying to get, but we're here, we're all in the same boat Bus, and there's a seat for ANYONE who wants one.

You can find the previous threads HERE and where this Bus first started it's journey, thanks to a wonderful lady, who'd hit rock bottom face first (and she'd admit that to us herself), seeking help and advice from a bunch of 'strangers' on an internet forum........

Come have a peek, take a seat, we don't bite or judge. We listen and will try to help, best we can.

Sorry that's meant to say wish I hadn't had wine at end, should re-read before posting

oh well done clutter hooray and I bet you were so pleased with yourself... at the thought of your DH turning up to find you still sober!

We went to a community fair this morning, and one of the stalls was about alcohol awareness. I got a free bottle of water (spacer, not chaser! an incentive to alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks); a tumbler with measures on to remind you of the units guidelines and a free pencil.

Was also invited to complete a questionnaire, but I declined! No doubt it would have told me I was under the weekly limit, but that's not the point is it? It wouldn't have noted that I struggle to stay under that limit, that I obsess about it all the time, or that I spend a fortune on pyjamas/toffee mousses/chocolate to take my mind off it.

I don't remember ever seeing a stall like that before. Maybe there have been, and I've ignored them and rushed past not wanting to confront any issues... this time I used the opportunity to mention to DD that drinking too much alcohol is unhealthy (no details, she's only 10)

really pleased for you that you're happy with yesterday cluster.

i've spent the whole day constructing a hen house and run and then blocking in a section of my garden with random abandoned crap and a make do and mend mentality - only one little side will actually need chicken wire nailing in. instructions for the henhouse = a picture that's been photocopied 500 times so is too blurred to actually see what is pointing where i think i've done it right. glad i'd already decided to give them a chunk of the end of my garden because the run is piddly - thinking ex battery hens deserve a bit of space.

tonight is doctor who night - ds gets very excited.

interesting that i'm not the only one for whom booze=sinus problems. might have a google about it. my digestion is a hell of a lot better too.

hope everyone is having a good weekend.

best of luck isindie! may the force be with you and all that. mystified by patrick swayze attraction - don't.get.it.

inde good luck and hope you enjoy your trip!

saf I don't get the Patrick Swayze thing either, I think hes got tiny little piggy eyes. He has a brilliant cameo in Rowan Atkinsons 'Keeping Mum' where he kind of sends himself up.

NoNoNo and Nats38 wedding was pretty good fun and was surprised that I was enjoying myself and talking to people without feeling like I needed alcohol, was very aware of thinking of alcohol all day tho. Also at wedding I only knew the girl who invited me as her plus one and the groom so not sure if it would of been harder had my friends or family been there? Agree NoNoNo that it was pretty surreal and I was very aware of what everybody around me was doing, hope you've enjoyed getting out in the garden today Well Done for last night Nat38 must of been great to hear all about your DD's trip and to be sober.

Hope things going well Isindebus and your managing to get thru long journey. Huge good luck for tonight, sounds like the whole trip is focused around alcohol and is going to be challenging. Could you say because of long day your tired and just going to get an early night tonight, or do you need to go out socialising?
How's things going with chickens SAF have you decided on any names?
Really like your idea of new jammies and treats Aliasjoey for rewarding yourself for getting thru difficult afternoon with your mum tomorrow. Stall at fair sounds really interesting, hopefully there's more and more awareness about the dangerous effects of alcohol so the next generation are better equipped to make good choices??
Thanks Kotinka always feel there's small bit of shame in admitting to liking X-Factor DH can't stand it and just about tolerates the live auditions

Just lost a long post and have to go out.
nono I am ok
hi to all new babes.
be back laterx

Rewards are good, whether they are new PJs, Chickens or manicures and new shoes a la JWN. Think about the money you are saving by not drinking and spend at least some of it on a treat for YOU.
Just keep saying to yourself I am SO worth it!

Chickens as a reward

bproud - good point! was just adding up how much setting up with chooks is costing me (and i've managed to do it pretty cheaply given the amount you can spend) and working out how many eggs that equated to you've made me reframe it and work out how many visits to the pub it equates to instead - not many!

no names sorted yet - think maybe i have to see them to be sure - lots of ideas though, thanks for contributions.

sAf - am also wondering about getting chooks. Have lovely garden which I could quite easily chicken-proof although it is right next to woods so would have to be fox-proofed too. Also wondering how kitties would get on with chickens...

rural - glad you are ok. Probably best not to sit next to me ATM as I am still full of snot. Feeling grim again today so gardening didn't happen. Tell you what - since I have been on this bus it has just been one lurgy after another. I have never been fond of public transport for that reason

pics of my kittens should be on my profile now. Katsuma is the tabby and Diavlo is the black one.

Nono Kitties and chickens should be fine unless you get little bantams our something. My chooks see the cats off very effectively with lots of flapping and indignant clucking!

Saf My ladies are Mrs Pucci, Miss Ames and Cupcake! I think you can name a chicken pretty much anything within reason...

I'm having a cider tonight in front of the TV, takes me all evening to drink one 500 ml bottle. Wine's my problem, I can drink anything else sensibly. Was tempted in the supermarket earlier but managed to resist hopes no one saw me in Marks stroking the bottles of merlot

Hope everyone's having a good evening

Xx

clutter well done for using all your strategies to get through the wedding. Just shows what you can do if you really want to . You did really well, it's no mean feat to avoid all that temptation.

Isinde this made me laugh I have decided to play wimpy-woman-can't-take-a-drink when the beers start flowing this evening Ah, if only they knew eh? I really hope you make the journey without alcohol, fingers crossed.

Saf I ordered a day of rest for you young lady, and look at you, putting up chicken coops and getting busy. Tut, tut . I hope you're feeling a little better? Maybe name one of the chicks The Doctor (or Doc for short) in ds's honor?

love the kittens NoNo

Evening, tis me, Mouse

Saf - 'karkade' in egypt and it's hibiscus tea chilled - I have searched high and low for this! DH and I had it all of the time in Koh Samui, whilst on honeymoon. It is so delightful.

Nemo went to a party today and played pass the parcel. Things went great, as each layer removed was rewarded with a small pack of sweets. When it got to the end, and Nemo didn't understand that whoever had the parcel when the last piece of paper came off, was the 'winner', it was MELTDOWN time

I was yet again kicked in the face, hit, punched, slapped and had my skin on my face scraped with his tiny little fingers...... so small hands, so small body, so small an understanding for him.

Should I stop? Should I stop putting him in these positions, or should I keep at it?

I adore him with ever inch of my being, every fibre, every breath could be his. I love him so much and when I know that I've given him so very much of me, I want him to stop hurting me and start to understand that it has to be that way, it can't be him that wins the prize just to keep the piece. I want him to learn, to understand..... I want him to accept.

The other parents in the room were so mortified, they all turned away, looked elsewhere, which really is fine, that is up to them.

After a few moments, once Nemo had let go of me and lay down on the floor crying, an older lady came to see if we were okay. She was like the kind face in a crowd of mayhem, the one face that stands out, the one face is the kindest, safest, gentlest to look at, but is already looking at you....... she asked if it was best to let him lie there and calm down, I said yes, but thanked her, from the bottom of my heart for being the one pair of eyes in the room to act upon how she felt.

So, tough day, but he's fast asleep. DH and I are in with a CSI: Las Vegasathon as my friend cancelled our night in, which is cool because I am still snotty.

Plus, I went to get my pain meds from the Pharmacy only to be told that I had to wait 48hours to get them and I should know this by now..............

So, pizza for dinner with my gorgeous DH, cold meds taken and cough/mucus type yuk stuff taken too. Almost bed time.

I'll do the new thread tomorrow and think of something good to do with Autumn.... any ideas for the new title welcome with lots of new Babes aboard.

Anyway, sorry to not read back, I kinda needed to let today out.

Horlicks and snuggles are my empty bottle tonight, xx

I dunno Mouse, something to do with turning over a new leaf, a new life, or an old leaf? I'm so tired again I can't think . Maybe I'm fighting off a virus. Had a good day not doing much. Managed to soak up some rays this afternoon, I hear it's all set to change so made the most of the sunshine and got lots of washing done.

Now, about that little pickle of a son of yours, what does the health visitor recommend? Have you been trained in restraint techniques. FWIW I think you're right to try and help him learn that he can't always have his own way, but the communication difficulties make it harder for him, poor little bean.

If you are at home, you can remove yourself from him, either physically or by ignoring, as soon as he hurts you. He will get the message. But it's much harder when you are out and about. I'm so glad that kind lady offered some assistance. I suppose people just don't know whether or not they should get involved. Are there any specific SN playgroups near you? Those parents would be more understanding, helpful and supportive no doubt.

Hi mouse !

Just to say birthday parties can easily be so fraught. When DD was about 4 she had an absolute melt-down because she couldn't sit next to her best friend at her party - I think friend had some cousins over or something - anyway there was apparently a seating plan ! DD couldn't be calmed or placated until we left about 20 mins later IIRC. Now my DD may have some slight SN such as slightly attention deficit like me, and mild dyslexia (semi-diagnosed/ recognised)

• but basically parties are so emotional they can be difficult for any child.

Whoever thought pass the parcel was a good idea for a children's party game hey ?! ( Children pass parcel round and one person gets to keep it ! Everyone else distraught ) BTW when ours were little they mis-heard and mis-pronounced it .... so it will forever be known as "parcel parcel" in the juggling family