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.

soma oh yes I know the drink you mean. Bottlegreen do some nice ones, and I like that they are not too fizzy.

kotinka I understand exactly what you mean about being disappointed when DH goes shopping and doesn't bring home any wine! I've told him not to, and yet part of me still hopes he will forget...!

Glad to hear so many positive stories and big congratulations to rural. That is a huge step and well done on day 2.

I too have never liked big groups - am much better one to one. Although not shy I just don't have the confidence unless I have booze inside me. Sounds like that is the case for a lot of us

Have had a lovely day with my friend and her 2 boys. My 2 have been fab although have elected to sleep on the lounge floor not camp which I was slightly sad about!

I am currently lying on the floor on my mat in between the two of them and DD is snoring gently. This is bliss. I have missed my kids so much and being able to snuggle down with them like this is so precious

I sound like I have been on the wine but I haven't. Have instead drunk too much tea. Ah well! Day 11 done and dusted

And so night night babes. Bites driving me mad again. Have taken some Aldi antihistamine but don't have any tiger balm unfortunately. Of course I am also in a sleepy bag tonight which wont help!!'

Well I spoke too soon eulogising about the sleeping arrangements. DD's bed deflated at about 1am and I spent about 2hrs trying to get her back to sleep again firstly in my sleeping bag and then on the sofa. Then eventually when she went to sleep DS had a nightmare. I was still awake when it started to get light and then when I fell asleep DD woke at 6.30. Argh. Yawn...

Hope the rest of you had a better night and are less bleary eyed than me!

Fantastic clip Kot, brings it all back!

The Bottlegreen cordials are divine, and work out a lot cheaper than the presses ... dilute with still or sparkling water, and the spiced berry is wonderful hot, on a cold winter's evening.

Nono, I hope you can have a cheeky nap this afternoon!

morning all

no mouse, i haven't specifically told my family though they've probably worked it out. that's what communication looks like in my family origion

my sister asked at the do for my dad last week if i was ok with them drinking or if it would be easier for me if they cut it out when i'm around. i said don't be daft and thank you but it's fine, it's down to me and if it's a day where i feel like it would be hard i'll stay away. so i guess she knows it's more than just cutting out booze for a while iyswim.

quite laughable now i think about it because there's no way she and her friend/boyfriend/platonic slave/god knows could not drink at social gatherings. so yeah, generous offer and i bet she was mighty relieved i said no

i've been to 4 meetings this week, plus two meet ups with my sponsor. a record for me and not one i'll be keeping up. i've started doing the big book study which leads to a weekend of step work (7 week programme in all) and i am supposed to commit to 3 meetings a week minimum for the duration. my sponsor is aware it's not that simple for a single mum so he's happy so long as he knows i'm trying and not missing any meetings that i could get to itms. i'll do a minimum of two (wednesday night and thursday lunchtime) as ds is at his grannies at that time for now and i'll try and make it to a weekend one if anyone is happy to have him for a couple of hours.

sorry - long and me me me. i'm sort of knackered (from being busier than usual and seeing a lot more people than usual ((another introvert here)) ) but also buzzing. have started stripping wallpaper in the living room and am just having a coffee break then want to crack on to the logical stopping point i've assigned for myself for this morning, clear up the rubbish and mess it creates and tidy away. things have to be done in stages. currently my house looks much worse than when i started trying to sort it but the tortoise allegedly wins in the end doesn't she?

hope everyone is doing ok - sunday today - enjoy church for those who go. i must try and carve out a half hour to meditate or something as it's all a bit hectic lately and i don't want to burn out.

Hi babes,
just checking in.
Day 3 here, first day 3 for a while.
nono hope you manage to get a rest today. Yeah tiger balm not that big in UK don't think its reached the supermarkets yet. I get it from boots or online, think most pharmacys stock it.
soma Myers briggs INFJ here too. Feel very anxious and uncomfortable in company until I,m at least half a bottle down. As a teenager BEFORE i started drinking I was a member of a youth organisation and often had to be in a group environment. Eventually we reached an age where we had parties in each others houses lots of booze the old bring a bottle thing. I found alcohol at this time and wow did it relieve my anxiety. A boy in the group who I got on well with by then told me I had the nickname THE SILENT ONE among most of the group when I first joined. He said "we couldn,t get a word out of you for ages, and now we can't shut you up"..
They later renamed me THE FISH

Very well done indeed rural!! So proud of you.

Am absolutely zonked. Just driven. 1.5hrs back from mid Wales. My Dd has slept all the way which only means one thing - no sleeping for her till 9pm tonight. . Still we have had fun. Blackberry picking in the élan valley and lots of running around excited with the other kids so at least they have some more happy memories for their bank. That is what it is all about.

Day 12 and the cravings are here. Unfortunately I still have dregs of bday gin left. Not enough to do real damage but enough to set the damned ball rolling again. Should bin it really but BF bought it and don't think he would be pleased if I tipped it down the sink. Argh.

Throw it away, Nono! If it's only dregs, he won't notice, but you will, if you drink it. Will he be better pleased if you pour it down your neck, rather than the sink?

Don't undo all your good work. Think about your lovely day, and how you have had such fun without the aid of alcohol. Stay strong.

Evening (early) tis me, Mouse

Saf - thank you for answering my post, I know what you mean about your sister being kind of relieved..... it's nice of her to ask but we all know that she was hoping for the reaction she got.

Why is there such a taboo/label/stigma attached to NOT drinking? It really is the case these days that if you're NOT drinking, and aren't pregnant/on anti-biotics/driving/other, then you're, well odd and people give you that look.

Almost like "You're not drinking, why?, What's up?" kind of an attitude IME. When *Nemo was baptised, I chose not to drink at the pub afterwards. Lots of people offered to get me a drink, there was lots of strange looks as I sat there with my soda water and lime.

I'm glad that your sponsor understands the limits of being a single parent Saf. I think that if you're happy with the commitments you can make, then it's the best way forward, and do you know what? It's okay for it to be all about YOU, why shouldn't it be? xx

Rural - WELL DONE YOU!!!!!! Seriously, that's a massive step to take. I hope with all of my little mousey self that you get the support that you need and find AA to be beneficial.

Koti - I'll have you know my mousey arse is a lovely golden tanned brown colour.

The sunbed is a stand-up one so I hold onto the straps for 6 minutes and simply relax and let the heat do the rest. It really does help. I booked a course so it work out much cheaper and I find that the less powerful beds are better and of course are less of a risk for skin cancer.

The more powerful beds just make me sweat so if you're thinking of going for it, go on a lower watt bed, standing up (I struggle to get up from lying down) and let the heat do it's job

I find a hot water bottle helps, also hot stones. DH puts them on my spine whilst I lie down. You fill them with hot water from the tap. You can get them from Boots I think.

NoNo - it's a gorgeous day for fruit picking with your DCs I love that you're creating memories for them, you're right..... days like today are days that stay with you for life.

We have lots of berries growing in the garden so I'm going to make another eton mess later, yummmmmm! Diet starts again tomorrow now that the holidays are almost over.

Our garden puts The Good Life's to shame! DH is always growing something

NoNo - 12 days down the drain or the gin your BF bought you. Bombay sapphire? Something expensive?

How much of a cost would it be to you to drink it? So what that your BF got it for you. Does he not know that you're not drinking? Why would he be upset? Give it to him and tell him to look after it for you if you're not ready to pour it away.

What's changed from your last post? You are part of HALT is my guess. Hungry, and T*ired.

Make yourself a nice cool long drink with ice and a slice, sans the gin and see how you feel after having that.

You know exactly how pissed off you'll be if you drink it. However, the choice remains to be yours.

You lot are fab when you rally round. And quite scary! You are right - I am tired. I am also stuffed as I had a panini at lunchtime with chips. For some reason when I eat loads and feel really full I then feel bad and the drinking urges start. Maybe because I think - sod it. I am fat anyway. Who knows

I am sitting with DD while she is in the bath. DS is exhausted and playing up which is also stressing me. I need him to go to bed but dd won't be tired as she slept in the car and DS won't go to bed before her as she is 2 yrs younger. Argh. His behaviour is shocking.

So I am tired, feeling bad about what I ate and also feeling stressed. But that is no reason to drink gin. You are all right. So I won't. Thanks all. Xx

mouse said >> Why is there such a taboo/label/stigma attached to NOT drinking? It really is the case these days that if you're NOT drinking, and aren't pregnant/on anti-biotics/driving/other, then you're, well odd and people give you that look. >>

okay that used to be ME sorry. Some of DHs family don't drink, why I don't know why, never bothered to ask. Just assumed they were on some smug health drive, and why couldn't they just loosen up a bit, eh? I didn't like it when other people didn't drink, it made me feel uncomfortable. Just shows what my attitude to it was, eh?

Koti - I'm liking your sense of humour! I can see you and I are going to be the ones sent to the back of the Bus for being the naughty ones!

For those who love to watch all things Disney, Beauty and The Beast is on NOW channel 5. I am recording it for a memorised Nemo

I am really going now, DD requires feeding, pesky children.

HI folks
Am about to catch up.....but tomorrow is 'Not drinking today Day 1' (again.....)

Hey notdrinking

So what if tomorrow is day 1, again...... no biggy.

It's Bank Holiday Monday so I bet that will be a little bit of 'eeeeek' time for some on the Bus, same as that TFI feeling. Or, that TFITW (thank fuck it's the weekend) so you 'can' have that drink.

Funny how certain days allow you/us to drink acceptably if you see what I mean.

Well I did have a drink. About half a glass of g and t that bf poured for me. It was yum and there is more left but I am not going to drink it. Instead I am going to bed as I am knacked. Don't feel disappointed in myself actually - it was probably about 1 unit if that...

NoNo - maybe you just needed to drink it. Get it out of your system. Night x

Just checking in. We are thinking of getting a rescue cat. I miss having a cat. Seen a lovely two year old called Ollie - a silver tabby. Am very tempted.

ma pets is luvverly. Couldn't find my dog earlier, found him with DD who had asked to sleep in the spare room 'for fun' (thats what counts as a treat in this house!) He is not allowed to sleep on her bed, but I found them curled up together in the other room.

Well I'm having some wine tonight, and I'm going to really try and work hard at NOT being resentful when the last glass has poured. Note I said 'poured', I don't even get to 'drank the last glass' already thinking about it well beforehand. Why isn't resentment one of the 7 sins?

My relaxation techniques are going well, managed to download some free podcasts from the Mental Health Foundation. They're very good, there are various ones on sleep, relaxation, diet, exercise etc. The only problem is at the end of the sleep one (a very sexy sounding Scottish doctor, reminds me of David Tennant ) it pauses and suddenly a woman starts loudly telling you that this podcast has been brought to you by...! Just as you're dropping off!

Not feeling too resentful BUT find it very hard to go to bed. Want to stay up late, surf the net, post on MN.

But I will go, now. Not terrbly successful experiment - and I may get the urge to have wine tomorrow, it kind of triggers the desire yo know?

Plus typing has gone to crap.