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.

Thanks Guggs it's not the restless legs thing although I do get that. It radiatates through my back, hips and legs. Bit like sciatica but not as painful. I did think it was drinking related after last hangover but not sure now. Can't wait for blissful sleep to kick in. Think I'm starting to look less bleary eyed already though

Ma talking sense again, she is on a role

Sorry ROLL

Wow ma you are a new woman this year! I like it. You are quite right.

mouse try asking the staff at nemo's nursery and his TA if they would be able to babysit/ childmind nemo for a couple of hours a week. I used to do this back in the day when I was a TA. The playgroup staff will know Nemo and have a relationship with him. You wouldn't have to leave the house just use the time to have a bath or a kip. The lady I used to do this for was given a small grant to employ me for 4 hours at the weekend. I used to take the little boy to the park for a very short time and the rest of the time I just played in the house with him. His mum was always around but at least she had the chance to rest for a bit.Sorry lovely, don't mean to nag but am worried about you.

tiger hmmm does sound like sciatica especially if your legs and lower back hurt. Is it any better?

Good morning all - only just woken up as am going through the same sleepless ness thing - always takes a while when you've just stopped drinking doesn;t it? Added to which, a very busy 7 year old dd who like s to foloow me around the house from bed to bed over night . My night: Couldn't sleep, so went into ds lower bunk, dd woke me and got in, I fell out, went into her bed, she found me, me back to our bed, dh had to get up for work...woke up..ad finitum. ARGH. I'm sorry mouse - I do remember Nemo. It must be very hard :( I hope everyone has a peaceful and productive day

Morning. Back in my usual guise but might give my Hairemuff another airing later

Just wanted to add my voice to those supporting Mouse. Gugg's suggestions are good ones, didn't you used to have someone like that coming round Mouse? I suppose it will be some respite when he goes back to nursery next week. Will you have to stay with him or did they get a 1-1 worker sorted out in time?

Anyway, sending huge Gruffalo sized hugs. You've got a lot of love over here but, as ma says, that won't be enough to get you through the day sometimes. Keep spilling it all out here though won't you, lovely. We are all so very proud of you x

wow ma you are really amazing. am in awe of your strength right now!

well I decided to drink a whole bottle of wine - I had the notion that it would convince DH that I should go to SMART anyway I drank most of it, but stopped before the end. which is weird cause normally I would have pushed on no matter what. more recently, I'd have poured it down the sink to avoid temptation. but put the cap on and just leave it?! self-control like that is usually beyond me!

am considering going for dry January. but part of me thinks I don't need to since control has improved so much...

mouse yes we may have to lay on another Bus, because it sounds like you are addicted to coping (I mean that in a nice way)

faire you needn't think that changing names will fool me! I've got my eye on you...

soba can I ask what meditation Alfie is now on? was he chewing or scratching a particular part of himself?

aliasjoey, sorry if you have said this, or don't want to say, but why does your dh not want you to go to SMART?

guggenheim: "Do you think that alcoholism is caused by things that happen to us or that we choose bad habits?" - I don't know! I have no idea, I think a dysfunctional response to substances can be a way to deal with bad feelings but in my case not much has happened to me to cause those bad feelings. for some, the events in their lives cause intolerable pain. For me, not so much, but although it is all first-world-wallowing, I still find it helpful to know what causes me discomfort, even it is a psychic papercut. sorry if this is all very self centred.

I want to know what has happened to pippin. Talk to us!

Mouse, best of luck. I hope you can get some irl help.

Morning all. Just popping on briefly to say Mouse, Ma is right, please, please see if you can find some resources to give you some respite care Lovely. Sending huge hugs along t'internet lines for you.

Think that ma seems scarey, I would be listening if I were mouse :-). Had to laugh a Holly, I have a ds who sounds like your dd. How come I can't sleep at night but can in the morning :-/ .I am starting to accept I have a mild case of sciatica/or trapped nerve in my back instead of a type of alcoholic nerve damage as discovered on dr google. Yes I am your new neurotic member of the bus lol

Hello babes, well I failed miserably yesterday as you know, I got myself a hypnosis cd type thing, not feeling that hopefull but it helped tons when learning to drive, hardly the same thing I know but here's to hoping. I'm child free most weekends as they go to their fathers. So I'm not going to be drinking, I'm gonna something constructive done, even though everything seems much harder and boring without alcohol. Struggle to understand myself I really do, there was a time I actualy believed people couldn't smell wine on me, how naïve was I, feel so stupid now must be VERY obviouse I'm always pished or half way there. I know the other mothers have been talking about me, if I only I was "normal" like them. Sorry for sounding bitter. Don't like what I see when I look in the mirror anymore, put on so much weight thanks to the wonderfull bloody wine! Wish it would fuck off! Mouse I hope you're ok, I'f it wasnt for you starting this I and many others would have no support or a place to vent at all.

me - scary??? Nah, its just my alter ego, "deteminedma". Hope she's going to stick around, i think I'm going to need her. The wine witch is playing dirty and called in the big guns this morning - the Drink Demon. The one who gets in your head and laughs at you being proud of 4 days, who tells you you cant do it, that you are going to fail, that you are stupid for trying and that you should just accept that you are a failure so why not have a drink hmmmmm?
I hate him and he's hovering. Big Brave Ma is going to need hand holding this weekend.
We're all neurotic on this bus tiger - you'll fit right in.
Where are angel and pippin and the other newbies?
And indie don't think for a minute that posting and running is going to cut the mustard. Get your ass back on here and tell us what's been happening in your world.

Can someone please tie the drink demon down while I'm at the supermarket this aft. I really can do without the distraction of him calling me. Hi pippin don't think we've met? I know what you mean about everything seeming boring without wine, I think that's a big one to get our heads around. When I don't have hangovers to contend with I get so organised it bores me and I see it as a treat. I'm sure if I can get to 7 nights it will get easier

Hi everyone, just checking in. Had a mental few days with the kids, ending up in a&e last night with one of the DTs with severe croup. She's absolutley fine, had some steroids and back to normal. I was so pleased I didn't drink last night as meant I was able to drive her myself.

Am going for a meal out tomorrow night and planning on having a couple of drinks but no more than that. Family meal so that will be ok for me.

Mouse, I don't know your whole story, will read back through the old thread, but hope you have some support.

Hope everyone else acheives what they want to this weekend.

Wishing all the brave babes who are going to be putting the wine witch in her place this weekend big hugs and high fives Time to grit your teeth and have your arsenal of weapons to hand. Keep playing that tape on until the end. And think how much better you will feel once you kick her into touch! Stay strong xxx

Tiger I don't know have we? Oh god. Insert worried face.

Tiger I don't know have we? Oh god. Insert worried face.

tiger i think she means met on here (smile)

Sorry tiger totaly miss read that, hi! :)

Sorry tiger totaly miss read that, hi! :)

Thanks for asking after Alfie Joey, so nice of you! He's on Prednisolone (a steroid) and some sort of antibiotic and has stopped scratching/chewing/licking thank goodness. The vet diagnosed an allergy which seems likely as I'm rigorous in giving him flea treatment. Cost me nearly £90 which is a bummer, especially as the excess on my insurance is £75 so hardly worth claiming. How is your doggie? It's great that control seems to be working for you, what do you think's changed?

Pippin this is very true for me also everything seems much harder and boring without alcohol and I think a crucial element in getting a grip on drinking is realising that this is deeply flawed thinking. I don't know what to suggest to help in appreciating that life can be fine and even pleasant sober, but one needs to make a start by not drinking for a while and hopefully you'll be able to see that there can be enjoyment in life and build from there.

Sobasoma- I understand, but getting over that initial "raw" type feeling is so hard, I could do more to help myself, RE hobbies etc, but where's the energy going to come from? Not drinking- its very much a catch 22 situation. What do you all think, is it ok to avoid situations where you will feel the need to drink, partys, bars etc? Or is it a cop out? Sorry if this posts twice I know its bloody annoying!!

pippin its perfectly ok to avoid, particularly in the early stages. its like avoiding the chippy when you are dieting. Why put yourself in the way of temptation?
Just tell people you cant make it, have other plans, dont feel well etc
What are your plans for the weekend? Do you have things to fill your time?
if not, can you even take to bed with books, newspapers, snacks etc? Sod the housework, you need to focus on you.

Ma- I have stuff to do around the house, I normaly just sit in the lounge chain smoking and glugging wine. Thinking about mind numbing chores I should be doing. God I sound so grim, but I will always be honest.-m going to 2 force myself to walk the dog a few miles, then come back and collapse. Magazines are so expensive. Much cheaper than 3 bottles of wine though! Thanks for everyones support year all so lovely and tbh. I didn't expect it. :)