The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Spicing Up The Winter Nights With Rich Hot Chocolate And Thermal Tights!

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse

I'm one of the Brave Babes travelling on this fantabulous Bus, on it's journey to the wonderful world of sobriety.

The great thing is, that the people on here are a real mixed bunch. Some are drinking regularly, some aren't. Some are sober and have been for any number of days, some weeks, months and yep, some even for years.

There's no judging pants allowed, no savoury flans either , just lots of unconditional support from many varied sources. Yes, some of us have been here from the start but please don't let that stop you posting, this thread is for EVERYONE and it always has been

If you'd like to have a look back, here are some links. One to the previous thread and one to the very first, and the reason we are all still here.

See you soon,

Mouse xx

PREVIOUS THREAD

FIRST EVER THREAD

yesterday at the doctors I could see my notes on the screen. someone had written (presumably during that psychotic episode I had a couple of weeks ago) "patient is well-dressed"

no doubt referring to my mental state rather than my actual fashion sense, but still...!

Baby certainly my relationship with wine is an intensely emotional one. I think it was Purple who referred to giving up alcohol as a "bereavement" so intense is the bond we have with this seemingly innocuous substance. Isn't it lovely having a clear head, I must make every effort to keep it that way until said head hits pillow. Alias this is standard GP-speak, I'm sure they said something about "maintaining good eye contact" as well!

Joey It annoys me that the docs seem to think you are okay if you bother to get dressed and put your makeup on - could have been in beds for days but if you've managed to pull it together to get dressed and got matching socks on you must be okay When I discussed my ADHD diagnosis with my doc, she laughed and said you don't look like you have ADHD, you have a son, are well dresses etc (so people with the problem can't have children or get themselves dressed apparently!) Joey for future appointments go with your jumper on back to front and a pair of football shorts and see what they say

Koti sorry to hear you all still ill - nightmare, sometimes life just throws shit at us that is completely beyond our control - I find that makes me so frustrated it's untrue and that it's so unfair and beyond me is what would lead me to the wine. You will get through this - dig in, do whatever it takes - bribes, chocolate etc - can you get anyone around to watch them at all? If all else fails, bunk down with them accept it ain't gonna happen this afternoon and do what you can tonight when they are in bed.

purple I missed your post last night about the date, how exciting! Yes you may have been more talkative with wine but you may have been over talkative ISWIM - as in sharing too much info too soon, over familiar a bit tipsy etc and might have woken up this morning analysing things as a result. Well done girl, he got to see the real you.

aww you mean she wasn't referring to my beautifully co-ordinated outfit, tasteful jewellry and statement handbag?!

decided to get it over with and popped in to see my boss. she was really kind, told me my work had improved so much lately so we would make plans to make sure it doesnt slip again. agreed to adjust certain things to avoid triggers. so I will be going to work, but I think it will be okay.

how are you getting on koti?

Hi guys busy day here so just sending you all big hugs x x x x x

koti you sound overwhelmed, you are still recovering from your own illness. if kids are well enough to go out then can they go to school tomorrow? or are they infectious... I hope you can get some rest.

no, she didn't persuade me, I wanted to go in - I would have been even more anxious to be off. she was very reassuring about certain triggers, large groups of people and (i was so embarassed) to admit this - the office christmas lunch! but I didn't want my colleaugues to think 'oh joey never comes, she doesn't join in' but she said we would come up with an excuse. so relieved!

Hello again - I have had a bit a major slip over weekend. Had a friend round, started on a glass of wine and ended up drinking most of the bottle. Then wnet on for a bit of all or nothing thinking about the next day and drank another half.

I'm doing better than I was in that I can manage quite a few days in the week with nothing but the probelm is when drink is in the house I find it so hard to resist. Its getting into that festive season when drink will be everywhere and I'm not sure whether I'm going to get through it without slipping bac down to the every day drinking habit.

I'm out tonight at neighbours and I know that there will be drink there (I'm taking some . ) Its a book group and everyone is normally really lightweight drinkers so they will think nothing of a festive glass of mulled wine but for me thats just another day that I haven't not drunk.. Now I'm here dithering about whther just one will be ok or not.

buyer, maybe try and just not have a glass tonight? then you have a non-alcohol day under your belt? or if you decide to, just make sure it's one and make it last and don't feel bad...

having a v good day today - feel energised and really pleased am not drinking. our saturday so will prob have a glass of mulled then but will drive, so it will be just one..

tummy definitely feels flatter too (am quite slim but hate stomach)

I am good thanks Koti, not drinking today, no cravings at the moment, is it 7pm yet? That's when the WW usually rocks up. Sorry you didn't get any work done today and now you are tired and have it all to do, that sucks. Dig in and find those reserves, you'll get through this shitty period.

Well done Kiki you sound really positive. buyer what do you want to do tonight? Do you want to drink or not? If you don't why not come up with a plan. Antibiotics is a good one for this time of year, stops people egging you on. Waves to all lovely babes on the bus and in sidecar tonight x

well the wine witch has arrived and she is shouting and screaming - I've slam dunked her into the corner and come to see you guys -where is everyone this evening? Hope you are all having a pleasant evening - I'm so hungry!! Must not give in to food or wine, must fight this flab - focus focus focus! Right Tesco online shop will keep me occupied for an hour x

Ah she's gone! Had a cider ice lolly instead yes I have just finished the bloody shop - I do have to go through every offer though!

How are you doing greeney?

I think we do need to eat when we're hungry, even when dieting. It beats giving in to the booze craving. Hope it's gone now x

Soma Isn't it lovely having a clear head - Yes! Isn't it just. I'm loving it

buyer I never used to keep wine in the house. Far too tempting. If you don't want to drink, just get rid of all possible temptations as much as you can.

Now, I've got half a dozen bottles put back for Christmas and I know I won't touch them. It's funny how I went from not being able to have booze in the house to having a stash tucked safely away. It really doesn't bother me.

It took a while to change those habits but I just did it the same as everyone else, one day at a time. Keep on keeping on babes x

Ah x post, good to hear it greeney

Morning babes, had an awful night, had an enormous fight with dh and dd and I literally had a meltdown, I screamed the house down, kicked several kitchen doors and ran into the minging arms of the wine witch, it was text book giving in. I can be prone to the odd outburst but I literally lost the plot. It seems without the haze of wine I realise just how selfish my family are in so many ways!!!! So another day another headache. I can't believe how easy it is to fall from grace so back in the wagon AGAIN x x x

What happened baby? That's one hell of an outburst - was there a straw that broke the camel's back? What's done is done, Today is a new day.

Fairenuff - hoping to get to where you are now - it seems possible at the moment :) the more AF days I have the more normal it will become and the ingrained drinking everyday habit will start to unravel - that's what I'm hoping for! Will not drink today.

Thanks green appreciate your wise words, my meltdown was caused by the amount if wee jobs that need done that make the house look shabby, money woes re Xmas and my very low self esteem makes me just want to cry when I look in the mirror, yesterday it all got the better of me and I just blew up. Anyway I can say with mega certainty I will not drink today!! May need support babes, I feel very depressed x x x

Baby big big hugs, no self-flagellation and onwards and upwards. Families eh?
We all do it, buttons get pushed and the screw top comes off (doesn't sound the same as "the cork gets popped" does it?). I felt like you do today on Tuesday but today I feel great because I got through last night without wine (even though there's a bottle in the house for a dinner party at the weekend).
One good thing is that I can absolutely not drink when DD's around, she can spot it a mile off.

Faire I worship you :) Maybe I can't get to where you are but at least I know it's possible. OK today Joey, Green, Kiki and everyone else? Won't be drinking tonight, DB is staying and he's a recovering alcoholic and knows my ways. I'll just cook him a nice meal and we'll watch something intelligent ([hmmm]) on TV. Just started reading a great book BTW, "Shoot the Damned Dog, A Memoir of Depression" by Sally Brampton, the ex-editor of Elle amongst other things. Terrifying stuff, because she makes it sound so real. I haven't been severely depressed, just severely anxious (under control these days).

Thanks soba Feeling a bit better, just going to tidy the house and enjoy a peaceful evening, I'm finding housework and wine in the same category, as in every time I gut the house I swear to myself I will keep it spotless and today it's a tip AGAIN also when I'm wine free and feeling fab I'm sure I will stay that way then I fail AGAIN. What is it with me I'm a seemingly intelligent woman (previously had very successful career) and now I feel like a domestic slave and not a very good one at that!!!!! Big sighhhhhhhhh x x x