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

Ma how about dry January 1st then? - ODAAT and see how far we get 31 days is a big chunk to swallow, maybe we should start with one

Ma are you in Edinburgh? I lived there for a few years and had some crazy hogmonays in the old town. I miss it, such a beautiful place. Glasgow will be amazing but yes don't pity you getting home and stay safe xx

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

Ma - that is absolutely FANTASTIC NEWS about DD singing!! And no, I feel so very very bad but I've not had five minutes to myself to listen yet, I will, I promise as I have to wrap gifts yet and that means alone! Finally!

Record it won't you? Her big night! What a fantastic opportunity for her, oh I really hope that you get a room at an inn, hotel, stable, anywhere!! Take a tent if you have too! Or try a caravan/campsite? You never know!

Re looking and feeling the way you do, I have to say that everyone has said how much healthier I look. The puffy face, extra chins and wobbly muffin top, or rather wedding cake top have all gone but it took time and effort. Given that I can't exercise it's taken me twice as long, and it's all been about food.

And of course, I replaced booze with mountains of chocolate, well, Maltesers actually, and cheese! It is worth it Ma and I have to say that I actually believe that you want this now.

More than ever before, you really do want to change who you are when you drink, how you drink, how it makes you feel and look, I honestly believe that you want to be the inner you.......

I get the feeling that you want to break free of hiding behind the mask, I can feel in your posts that you're getting a bit angry with yourself, or similar.....

Use it Ma, get yourself back. Find yourself again and do it with us! I'll be your diet Budd(y) . Did your post arrive yet?

Soma - there are sooooooooooooo many women who have had the courage to 'come out' in the public eye. Surely it's a make or break deal for some of them isn't it? After all, who's going to hire a drunk? .............

Purple - Sorry to hear that you have germans in your house! , that's what DD used to call germs when she was little.... often entertaining when people asked how she was and the reply came that she had germans

Nemo is such a poorly ickle chap just now, I HATE winter. Every year is the same, he gets every germ going and has had to miss his first nativity (he was a Shepherd) and last day before Christmas because of it which has made him sad

Whiney - KEEP GOING. The sweats are awful but they pass as you know from before and it's so worth getting those first few days or week done and dusted.

Well done to everyone who has stopped or cut right back, especially at this time of year.

To those who are really struggling not to drink or over do it, and might even be thinking 'shut the feck up Mouse', stick with us..... we're here to support you no matter what, no judging pantaloons allowed here you know!

Ma -

maybe I have a drink problem

A friend of mine quits drinking for the entire month of January. Yep, 31 whole days. Every year since I've known him. He starts running again and then allows himself a small amount on weekends or special occasions.... never been a big drinker unless he's out with the lads in the lash! Even then, he's not a huge drinker.

I think if you plan it on December 31st, worry about it then too, you're more likely to do it. You're getting stressed already! Stop it! No projecting!!

Nemo is going to watch Peter Rabbit on CBeebies so we're going to snuggle up under a snowman fleece........

DH has gone off to his bash, DD is up in her dungeon room so it's some quiet time here, be back later lovelies xxxx

Hi, can I hop on please?

After a total meltdown due to alcohol I finally plucked up the courage to open a Brave Babes thread and then went back to the first one. Thanks to JWN and her honesty I am now on day 35 but am struggling.

Trying my hardest to not project about Christmas: mulled wine, champagne with the starter, wine whilst wrapping pressies. It all seems so appealing but it's not really like that is it?

I know I've got to see the film to the end and I know I'll end yet another Christmas Day in a foul mood and looking a mess, as it won't stop at a small glass of champagne and one glass of wine with the turkey.

Those 35 days ago my marriage of 21 years almost fell apart because of the cow I become when I drink. I need to remember this when the wine witch shows her ugly face!

I owe my sober 35 days to the honesty of all you Babes on this bus. Reading the first few pages of the first thread helped me turn a corner in my life and I'm so so grateful.

Thank you Mouse for your recent post about all the advertising re alcohol at Christmas as it strikes such a chord with how I'm feeling at the moment.

I'm a really shy person and may only post occasionally but I just wanted to reserve a place on the bus and show my gratitude.

TODAY I WILL NOT BE DRINKING!

DH asked me to get some of that chewable aspirin, I've just been to the hell that is Sainsbury s the week before Christmas, and I forgot to buy it. can't face going back there...

soma you MUST remember greyhounds wee man? with the potty under the bed?

Iam I haven't read your story because there were a few weeks where I didn't have time to lurk at all but I just wanted to say that 35 days is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!! I've never managed that apart from being pg. You are awesome
Try not to worry about christmas, ODAAT. Also, mulled wine is a foul,sour drink so give that one a miss!

mouse great posts. Lots of good advice for us babes over christmas. Personally, I'm looking forward to the new year when everyone is on a health drive.

So pleased I joined the bus!! I am going for the dry January and am really excited by it I know it won't be easy especially on Fridays and Saturdays but I really want to do it.
Am starting running again too

green OK. Dry Jan 1st it is. ODAAT. mouse is right as always, I am getting angry with myself and really want 2013 to be the year I find myself again and start feeling good about myself. Need to shed the fat suit, get fit and sober.then shed the dh
Yes, I am quite near Edinburgh, just over the bridge to the North.

Welcome Iam!
A general note of caution for all of us, don't pin all your hopes on dry January. People without alcohol problems won't be investing too much in it- it's not hard for many, take what you can, but a month off isn't the answer.

I love Edinburgh, I lived there one summer when I was a student. soooo many years ago at the time it seemed very cosmopolitan compared to my home town... I remember buying a baguette with brie and feeling very cool. God, I can't remember the name of my own daughter, but I can recall eating a sandwich 25 years ago.

today I bought some elderflower to take over on Christmas day. first time I've ever done that!

@ Joey x

Edinburgh is a very beautiful and atmospheric city. The old town is just wonderful.
I suppose I take it for granted as its not very far away.....

Joey great to have bought elderflower already. When I first stopped drinking I hated it, but now I love the taste, the gentle fizz, just the right mix of sweet and sour. When I first stopped drinking I found it too sweet, but I think that's because I was used to dry, bitter, sour wine.

Ma good on ya lass!

Edinburgh is indeed a lovely place, and as a cosmopolitan place it also has loads of places where you can now go and get a lovely non-alcoholic drink (without feeling like an idiot). That's what I hope for - that Christmas adverts will be 80% dominated by ads for refreshing cranberry fizz, or lime and ginger with friends, or clink, clink, 2 cubes of ice and some orange and clove cordial with a splash of soda...

Hello. I am a lurker de-lurking to say thank you to all of those who post so honestly and encouragingly. I haven't had a drink since May and, to those of you who are just starting out, it does get so much easier. The first few times is hard, but now when I go to a pub or out for a meal, having a drink is something I just don't do. Like taking up golf or hand-bell ringing. It's something I can see other people enjoy doing. But it's something I don't do. It's not always easy (we have had stress and illness and a bereavement in the family since May) but the craving always passes.

And I also wanted to tell you about my new favourite drink. Apple juice, Canada Dry and lime with lots of ice. Got that nice dry thing going on.

Happy Christmas to you all. And really, thank you so much. Those of you who post regularly have no idea how many lives you are touching, and how inspiring you are.

Bloody hell, Wind, May!!! Well done! Welcome. xxx

sorry, I meant to say welcome to iamnotgoodatthis 35 days is fantastic!

Hey All

Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a very merry and sober (if that's what you want it to be) Christmas and New Year.

I will be enjoying my 3rd sober Christmas and my 3rd sober New Year. And I would not swap it for the world.

Santa is bringing me a Garmin watch for my Christmas, and this thread is responsible for my running too (thanks Ma). So instead of thinking about when I can have my first glass of something - I will be trying out my new fab watch.

Keep going, every single one of you, because it can be done, and it is totally worth it.

Bafana xxx

Thank you wind that is a kind post and a timely reminder of how many of us there are, all drawing strength from each other.

Bafana great to hear from you again x

Venus orange and clove cordial? Haven't heard of that one before, sounds lovely.

To all the babes, you are all fab, inspiring, intelligent, funny, compassionate women and/or men with so much to give and a whole world of sobriety to embrace. It's been a good year for me, looking forward to the next one.

Mouse I hope next year brings you and yours better health, peace, calm and happiness. Looking back over the year, it's been a helluva rollercoaster for you and you still always find time to support others.

We rock babes x

Morning!

Thanks for the welcome and great to see someone else de-lurking.

Wind being sober since May is inspiring! You should feel so proud of yourself . Thanks for the reminder that the craving will pass and the tip about apple juice, ginger ale and lime - sounds delish. My saviour so far has been cranberry and low cal tonic. In my favourite glass I kid myself it's a dry rose!

Just want to reiterate that it really is the honesty on these threads that has got me to day 36. It has been so important for me to see people posting even when they are in the sidecar because you all climb back on at some point.

Hoping we can all be kind to ourselves today.

Morning, tis me, Mouse

Firstly - Joey at wee man! How the hell did I miss all of that? Well done on the Elderflower purchase

Secondly - winey apologies for spelling your name wrong yesterday xx

Thirdly - bows down to the wonder of BafanaTheSober! A massive well done to you! 3 whole years huh? Amazing. You are a real inspiration to us all and it's always lovely to see you here. Merry Christmas to you and yours xx

Iam - hello, lovely to see you back again and well done on 35 huge days! That's a real achievement and one that you should be ever so proud of. Thank you for coming back to post and tell us all how you are doing. xx

Hey wind - great post! Thank you to you for de-lurking and posting such a positive message to us all.

venus - lovely to see you here. How are things with you?

You too Faire - lovely to see you back

help - A general note of caution for all of us, don't pin all your hopes on dry January. People without alcohol problems won't be investing too much in it- it's not hard for many, take what you can, but a month off isn't the answer.

I agree 100%. One month off isn't going to solve anything in the long run BUT to have a goal set in your head mentally, to me, seems like a great motivator.

ODAAT is the ONLY way to do it so if January 1st (I bet some will stop on the 2nd, the 1st being NYD) is the day you chose to start your dry January journey, then so be it. Just start it.

Who knows what Day 1 will lead to? Hopefully, day 2, 3, 6. 12. 40...... there are no guarantees with this, with doing it alone, with the support of the Bus, with the support of professionals.... there are no sure fired answers but if you want to stop drinking the amounts that you are, feeling guilty and ill all of the time....

If you want your mental health to be better, your physical health, your sex life (assuming you want one ), your relationships with your children, partners, family.... friends to be better, then stopping drinking to excess will help.

If you can't do controlled drinking, do no drinking instead.

It's funny but when you aren't focusing on that next drink, or re-arranging picking DCs up earlier so you can have that 5 or 6 o'clock drink, and when your main focus begins to be things like what to watch with the DCs on DVD on a rainy weekend day/going on a day out of the house that doesn't involve the pub, or what size to get that gorgeous top in that you can afford now you've stopped drinking your money away, when you want to meet a friend for coffee or tea, not wine and a hangover, life becomes far less tangled and complicated.

And what about that money that you don't have in the first place, not when it could go towards something for you, or the DC or your significant other, or to pay a bill you've put off because you'd rather just get that 3 for £12 deal instead and you'll pay a bit more off next time won't you?

Take control. Make a deal with a friend maybe? Do it together? Do it for YOU xx

Pssssssssssssssssttt.............. tis me, Mouse, what do you think?

Thought I'd NC for the last few days. xx

Morning all, last day at work for a while, can't wait to get home and really into the Christmas spirit without the spirit :) Bafana it's marvellous to hear from amazing babes like you who can tell us how good life is long-term sober. Thank you for the inspiration.

Love the Christmouse name Mouse. Joey well done on the elderflower, I bought all manner of sparkly non-alcoholic drinks at Sainsburys (lots of 2 for 1s) yesterday and am giving away most the wine that's been given to me! Feels strange but so right, hope I can stick to my guns. I feel in such good company here, thank you all for posting and sharing, long may it continue.

Merry xmas to windswept and banafa. Thank you for sharing, that is really good news and something to aim for. What has been the best bit about getting and staying sober?

soma brilliant idea to get rid of it. A strong decision.

I'm making progress but nothing like the good ladies above. I stayed sober last night and today I have bought a 25ml bottle. I'm not strong enough to not drink tonight but I think (hope) that a small amount will prevent me from buying a bottle.

Finding Ds a 'bit of a challenge' (understatement, I have steam coming out of my ears) today. He's busy throwing stuff, wrecking the tree,climbing into the washing machine, licking posts outside shops and pulling the cat's tail. Sigh. Does have an angelic little face though.

love the nc christmasmouse

oh and the apple,ginger & lime drink sound delicious. do you need fresh limes or a splash of cordial?