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

"New balls, please" Lol!

We have Elveden Forest near us. When you've chosen your Christmas tree Newfoundland dogs take it to your car on a little cart! The dogs are festively dressed up - it's lovely, the dogs are gorgeous. There is also a story teller, Father Christmas, elves, reindeer and the gift of a tiny Christmas tree which you are supposed to take home and plant (donated ours to the school/local woods!).

Cheese!? Can't resist cheese!! xxxx

Right, I'm offski........

Time to get myself together and prepare for family hell fun at my Mother's. Wish me luck!

And Purple - thanks for the kind words re Nemo, of course you know what you're talking about, you're a mum aren't you?

Have fun Babes, no stuffing the donkey and riding the turkey, it's the other way around, remember! xxx

Morning all, just caught up. What a beautiful post yesterday Venus, thank you. Purple thinking of you, have money worries too, get jack shit for DD from exH who chooses not to work and all her school mates have lawyer/banker dads so rolling in it. See you back here soon, don't worry about your blip, I drank far too much last night (friends over for dinner) and woke up feeling dreadful but feel more sanguine about it now.

Mouse Erddig sounds magical, would love to be somewhere like that now or Germany (my mother's home country) at one of their Christmas markets. It's a perfect clear sunny winter's day down south and I can hear the cathedral bells peeling away and I'm still in bed with the dog snuggled up under the covers. Think I'll stay here a while longer, DD not back till later and I don't have to cook as have plenty left over from last night. Have a peaceful day babes xx

Wow! I have MN on my phone! We're in the car and I can post on the thread! Yippee!

Soma I hope you're not feeling too rough. I've forgotten what a Sunday morning or afternoon in bed is like :D. Sorry things are tough for you too. Not nice. Xx

Have good days everyone. Be Brave like you know you can be xxx

I hate hangover Sunday x x x

Mouse some kids like to be 'squished' when they are feeling out of control. They like to be held tightly to help them feel safe and calm down. But because they inevitably get too big and/or strong at some point this does become difficult, as you have said.

You can get special resources for children with sensory needs like this, such as a weighted blanket. Could you look into getting something like this which is portable and can be used easily?

The idea is that the child 'hides' under the blanket and it 'hugs' them. Especially good when children start to be conscious of others looking at them. Alternatively, you can wrap it around him (like a sausage skin) so that his arms and legs are contained inside and he can't hit or kick. Your dh could do the wrapping for you, then you could just hold him until he calms?

Just a suggestion, don't know if it will be of any use to you x

mouse it sounds as though nemo had great fun on your day out but got overtired or overstimulated?

I know what you mean about your DH handling him differently to how you would do it, mine is the same. sometimes he is too critical or too physical (not hitting her, just being a bit rough) sometimes I intervene, other times just let them get on with it. she has to learn that different people will discipline her in different ways. memo may not understand that yet, but at some point he will come across teachers, carers, grandparents... I don't reAlly know what I'm trying to say..!

feeling down today. had my once a week drink last night, and now just thinking I have a whole week to get through. nearly bought some more wine, I should be proud of myself for resisting, but I just feel fed up.

mouse dh is "calm" trained because of his job where he has to be able to restrain youngsters to stop them hurting anyone, including themselves. Given your own physical problems some of these holds may be difficult for you, but perhaps DH could learn them as a way of holding nemo safe until the rage passes.

Phone is about to die but will come back re restraining later. Love the blanket idea, hit the nail on the head with that, thank you ladies xxxx

I love the idea of 'hugging' your child in a blanket to help them feel safe. Perhaps we could give ourselves a hug in a blanket too.

Later this week I am going to the funeral of a girl I knew in my 20s. She died last week age 46. sadly she had many problems over the years - physical and mental health, but they all stem from drinking and other 'partying'. It got too much for her and last week she decided literally to drink herself to death

I spoke with her sister today and they have been sorting through photos showing the beautiful person she used to be. Apparently they have not taken photos in recent years because she had stopped taking care of herself

So I'm off to hug myself in a blanket, and feel comforted on a day when there seems to be so much sadness around. And tonight a real blanket feels so much better than the illusionary 'blanket' of alcohol. Sleep well babes x

Venus, I'm sorry that's terribly sad, I'm sure the funeral will be heartbreaking. Thinking of you.

Morning babes, mouse hope nemo is doing ok, things must be so difficult for you, big hugs to you and lovely venus I'm so sorry about your friend, so so sad, well it's a new week and I'm looking forward to not drinking tonight . X x

You sound perkier today babyjane1

Venus how very sad about your old friend. I hope you and her family get through the funeral OK - did she have any children? Joey well done for not getting any more drink. How much do you allow yourself once a week? I was going to meet a friend in London later this week and intending to drink, but after knocking too back much on Saturday night I've decided to drive to her house instead so I can't drink. I still can't seem to find the off switch :(

And yes Baby, clear head Monday is much much better than hangover Sunday.

venus i am so sorry for your loss.
Look after yourself

help and soba thanks for your support, I have no off switch either but prior to finding you guys I was drinking every night, now it's pretty much just weekends albeit too much Friday, sat and Sunday still way too much and too expensive but at least I'm moving in the right direction . I love the way sobriety and feeling bright and alive feels and hate dirty sweaty
hangovers feel so I'm actually baffled at my own stupidity with this one bloody stupid thing, it's so so so boring processing the same junk in my head every day, surely people can be teetotal and happy, think of all the chaos and regret I could dump out of my brain, why can't I just
Bloody get on with it!!!!' Will keep trying x x x

Morning babes - just a quicky to say I will not drink today - I am going out on Friday night and will be drinking though I am going to stay clear of wine so I don't get too drunk too quickly and make a fool of myself (and blackout) will stick to vodka and coke or something with less units and won't start till I get there (as opposed to when I start getting ready!!) Anyway I DON'T want to drink this week so am getting comfy on the bus and strapping myself in!! Have a good day babes xx

green can I sit beside you? Will share my minstrels with you x x x

Hello all,

I'd like a ticket to come aboard please, I've seen the bus about since it's inception and occasionally peeped in the windows and imagined myself inside but always got sidetracked with the old wine witch. However, think I'm ready to try a seat and see where it takes me...

My consumption has always been above guidelines but the last year seems problematic. DH and I enable each other and one will always come back with a midweek bottle when the other has resolved not to drink that night .
I'm tired, distracted and short-tempered with the DC.
I wake suddenly in the night, feeling sick and hating myself for being so weak.
And yet...6pm comes and the sound of a glass of wine or beer to look forward to after the DCs are in bed...irresistible.

This is so childish, I want even though I really don't.

So...

I'm stopping, I've got meal out at the weekend, Christmas parties and weekend away in the New Year and this would usually signal me to put off abstinence 'til afterwards and then lose the inclination to stop at all. But I finally think I understand 'today I will not drink' because me worrying about the 'what if's' is a way of delaying the 'now's'

Thank you for listening to ramble, don't think anyone in RL would!

Today I Will Not Drink.

Welcome icicles - by eck it's cold out there! The bus is warm and cosy and a great place to hang out. baby I'd love some virtual minstrels as I am on a diet and cannot have any of the real thing!

Quickly gets Buy 2 for £3 virtual Malteasers and Minstrels out of bag to hand around.

Welcome icicles
Make yourself at home, and have a read. Remember HALT today.
Avoid getting Hungry, Angry Lonely or Tired.

Brilliant more chocolate :)

Hi all - just checking in. Day one today, after drinking nightly for several months :( Haven't had a sober night for ages. I have locked away my cash and credit cards so I can't go out and buy wine.

Hope everyone is ok.