The Brave Babes Battle Bus - New Year? So, Let's Go Up A Gear!

[ChristMouseTimeMistletoeNoWine]

Hello, tis me, Mouse (normally Mouseface but I'm wearing my festive name )

Welcome to the Brave Babes Battle Bus, to a place of solace, support and sanctuary, if that's what you seek of course. It's also a Bus full of bloomin' chatterboxes, waffling on about life, love and all things from school reports to laundry!

The journey into 2013 is going to be an ass kicking one as we're moving up a gear to give the WineWitch a bloody good slapping, and the BoozeBeast a kick in the bollo.............

Some of us drink in moderation, some of us drink. Some of us are sober, some of us are trying so very, very hard to be.

Some of us have been dry for days, weeks, months and some of us years...... some of us are just starting out and are scared of what stopping drinking means. It's not forever, it's just for today if that's what you want.

We have a saying on the Bus One Day At A Time. Or ODAAT

Take each moment, each day and each blip as it comes. The support on this Bus has kept me from ruining my life time and time again. The experiences of others shared here has helped me to change the way I see alcohol, the way I see what it does to me.

Although some Babes have been here a while and kind of 'know' each other, we all have different lives, different roles to play, different places to sit on the Bus, but we ALL have or have had abusive relationships with alcohol and we're here because we want that to change; for the better.

Everyone is welcome here so don't be afraid to just jump right in and say hi. Post as much or as little as you like!

So, come say hi, grab a seat, an eggnog (non alcoholic of course ) and a mince pie, or chocolate chip cookie, and meet some lovely, genuine people who are just like YOU.

Also, HERE IS THE PREVIOUS THREAD with a link in the OP to the first ever thread, and the reason why after more than two and a half years, this thread is still here, supporting those in need.

purple I've seen that before, perhaps there are worse things than a drink problem

Green At least we know we're fucked up - they seemed to think they were quite normal! Frightening! xxxx

Huey well done, that is a massive achievement. I'm so glad you enjoyed your sober Christmas. Keep on going and do come back to let us know how you're getting on. It's great to hear how far this bus reaches

Hello and welcome to Tiger. Have a seat and post what you like, whenever you like.

I like it when the bus is busy but it can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers. I remember jumping on just after someone else so that I wouldn't be the only newbie. But we're a friendly, if somewhat mad diverse group

< passes round opal fruits starbursts >

Greyhound we will all be here to help and support you when the time is right to make changes. Ma is right, small changes can make big differences. Small victories win the war x

Soma I'm aware that you've asked me about controlled drinking a couple of times and I haven't been very precise in my answers. It's difficult to describe but if it's ok with you I'll do what Mouse said and have a think how best to explain it. You see, what works for me might not work for you, but I promise I'll get back to you on that one ok?

Isinde you big tease!!

Come back and let us know what's been happening. How are those gorgeous girls of yours? Have your parents got you tied up in a basement somewhere without internet connection or what? x

Seriously, don't make me write more disgraceful poetry

I'M in charge of opal fruits!

the bloody cheek of some people...

Pssst, it's me, (Fairenuff). Temporary change of name.

Don't ask...

< grabs opal fruits of joey and legs it out the door >

Joey, darling, you'll be too busy trying on the yellow, mutton sleeved, brushed nylon, hooped bridesmaid dress to be worrying about Opal Fruits! Don't want you spoiling your lovely new dress now, do we?! x

Hairy Muff!? Good grief, whatever next!?

ps

Isinde has been gone so long
I start to wonder, what went wrong
Who will drive the bus tomorrow
How can I restrain my sorrow

You have been warned

Hello,

Would also love to hear from the reformed now-controlled drinkers.

I am back from a meal out, I took the car so it was no effort not to drink but I am going to congratulate myself for it anyway because honestly, in some moods no inconvenience would be too great and I would have walked two miles / got taxis / blagged lifts so, well done me. (preen)

Stuffed my face with pasta though which was not the plan. Am supposed to be low-carbing but didn't dare order a low-carb dish as they were all more expensive. And didn't know how the bill was being handled. Still, never mind, tomorrow is another day - a day without a hangover.

Pippin, are you still there? please check in and tell us how you are doing.

Anyone else struggling with drinking still up?

I know I've got a problem but I'm trying to stop. I have been thinking about how much I want a glass of wine all evening :(

I'm still up Tired. Did well before Christmas (7 weeks dry) and now struggling to stop again. How are you? x

I'm really sad tonight Purple. I started my own thread earlier. I had a wonderful day with my dc yesterday but tonight they went to their dad's and I'm all on my own in the house. I should go to bed really but I need some company and it's too late to call anyone.

I also had a bad night drinking a few days ago and I want to talk to someone about it but I can't in RL

I know the difficulty when DC go to their Dad's - mine are off tomorrow (although he's phoned and said he's going to work Sunday so he's bringing them back early! WTF! He only has them every fortnight!).

And I so know what you mean about not being able to talk to someone in RL. Most of my friends think I'm really strong and turn to me when they have a problem. I'm too ashamed to tell them how bad my problem is. This is a great place to find empathy, sympathy, help and advice. No one will judge you here. We have all been where you are now.

Do you think you would be able to talk to a health professional about what's worrying you? x

Your 'bad night drinking' - what brought that on?

I'm up. Sober but only just. Hell of a close call tonight. Will try to post about how I got from almost 90 units per wk to between 0 and 13 at most.

On my phone which is dying. Very triggery night. Nemo related. I'm just utterly, totally wrung out. I can't do this all day every, day in, day out on my own. Our own, even when he lets DH into his little world :(

I can't sleep. Phone has almost gone but will post in the morning about getting through hell. Aka - my life as I now know it.

Sorry.

Oh mouse You are doing an AMAZING job at being a mum and friend often at great personal expense to yourself

You need help too honey and care and nourishing, have you been in touch with any of the carers support groups? How can we bus babes help? Can you get any respite (I know that's easier said than done if he's only comfortable with you)

Well done for staying away from the booze, sounds like the witch really got to you, imagine how much worse things would be this morning x

Mouse I hope you managed to get some sleep in the end. Thinking of you. And thanks Faire (sorry Haire), I know controlled drinking is probably beyond me, but I'm just interested to know how two of the most amazing babes on this bus managed it.

Have a good day all x

Had a trigger moment last night where spoke with friend who I always have a drink with and ended up having 2 drinks (not wine but cider) dh & dd were out at football so just me once I got little one off to bed. Was able to stop at the 2 so that's a definite improvement. Had terrible nights sleep & woke feeling like I'd had 10 drinks and late night all from 2 drinks!!! Back on the dry January wagon, so so not worth it. mouse huge hugs to you, as green said is there any way of you getting some respite from your situation. Even if Nemo would just go to somewhere for a couple of hours a week if he wouldn't settle any longer with a stranger? I used to work in a respite home for children with complex & life limiting conditions & we used to offer respite from anything from 1 hour a week to days of respite depending on the child & circumstances. I understand that if Nemo won't settle then it is more upsetting but there are ways to build this up gradually?
To the babes struggling through the night, hope that you managed to beat off the naughty ww and get some sleep x

Morning. Obviously don't know everyone's stories but its lovely to see how you all support each other. Well that's 4 nights under my belt, tonight and Saturday the real testers (and Sunday if I'm honest). The worst bit is getting to sleep. Anyone know how long that lasts? And my legs are still hurting so I'm thinking that's something else.

Morning babes

Well done anyone who managed to see off the ww or control their drinking.clutter isn't it horrible when even a little bit of booze wrecks a nights sleep?

Mouse hope today is a little brighter,is there any way of getting a rest?
mia that was a lovely dinner, what are we having tonight? Also doesn't puttanesca mean tart? not the edible variety?
grey how are you feeling today? Made any plans? much sympathy.

green I did the cost analysis worksheet thing from smart and it was a bit of an eyeopener. I have 1 reason why I 'enjoy' drinking and many, many disadvantages. I kept thinking of more and more disadvantages during the night- I hadn't even recorded potential liver damage, increased risk of cancer etc. And I hadn't even begun to think about the effect my drinking has on others, pretty selfish of me really. I might have another go at that sheet in a weeks/ couple of weeks time.

'lo there tiger cross posts

Well done 4 days is great. I think the poor sleep will start to improve very soon but you will probably feel knackered during the day for a few days too. It seems to be part of the process of clearing the toxins out (you can probably tell that I do not have a scientific background )

In what way do your legs hurt? I have that restless legs syndrome, which sucks,when if I quit alcohol the 'syndrome' is very bad for a while and then improves. I take a magnesium vitamin and when my legs really hurt I take some panadol before bed. Is that anything like yours?

well done to those who made it through last night...and for those who didn't, today is another day.
mouse fucking listen up and pay attention! You CANNOT go on like this. You are not helping yourself, therefore you are not helping DH and DD and ultimately not Nemo. I'm sorry, but you need to listen. You NEED a carer, a housekeeper, an au pair, respite care....whatever is the best match. It is the hardest thing in the world to admit you need help and cant go on any more but everyone on this bus has already done that re alcohol.So why is this different? Do we need to start a Brave Babes Bus for the disabled, for those wracked with pain, for those with children with SN? I'll drive the bloody thing if it makes you get on board and get the help you need.
mouse you have more love and support on this bus than a body could hope for but we, sadly, are virtual IYSWIM. We can't take care of nemo spent time with DD, sit with you, hold your RL hand when you are crying in pain, (see to MrMouse oops, sorry, that's just me!) - every damn one of us would but we can't. But there are people out there who can, organisations with trained lovely people who can help you and your family.
i swear mouse if you don't stop being a martyr and ASK for help, SHOUT for help, then I'm coming down there to give you the bollocking of your life!
purple - hand me the fish.

now I've finished shouting, I meant to add:
faire LOVE the new name, made me - and give the opal fruits back to joey for God's sake before she has a tantrum and rips her new dress!
tiger Day 4 for me and like you, struggling with the sleeplessness and worried about weekend. But try not to project - ODAAT remember. Hopefully the sleep thing will improve soon.