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.

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. :)

always expect the unexpected on this bus.....
walking the dog is a good plan. and when you get back in and feel the urge to drink, down a pint of water, saddle up the dog and go and walk some more.
Keep away from triggers where you feel the need for a glass in your hand, break the routine...
Hark at me, I've only been dry 3 days and I know it all ....

Ma- 3 days longer than me, the only time I've not felt like it was when pregnant, this sounds awfull but it did enter my head "no more wine, I'm so glad". Desperate muchio? I know this isn't all about me, don't want to block the bbbbus,its nice to be able to speak to another person. Rather than thinking/feeling like you're the only one on this "winewitch" planet! She needs slaying :)

Ma- 3 days longer than me, the only time I've not felt like it was when pregnant, this sounds awfull but it did enter my head "no more wine, I'm so glad". Desperate muchio? I know this isn't all about me, don't want to block the bbbbus,its nice to be able to speak to another person. Rather than thinking/feeling like you're the only one on this "winewitch" planet! She needs slaying :)

Muchio? Never buy a bb, if I went along to one of the aa meeting will it help? I brought the "stop drinking easy way" book before, was full of hope but I didn't work, how many of you are dry?

Hi again pippin sorry if I gave you a scare! I'm going for a dry January. I am an all or nothing gal, so don't know what to do after that but I will cross that bridge later. I desperately need to loose some weight so I'm focusing on that. Be back a bit later as need to go shopping.......no alcohol........concentrate.........What's the longest you stop for? I usually managed 3-4 days before she wins

there is no easy way pippin
AA works for a lot of people - its not for me - but many people swear by it including our boybabe MIFLAW who is never around when you need him!
I understand the relief of having a real reason why you cant drink, like being pg. It stops the endless arguing with yourself, the will I/won't I and the self hate when you do.
That's partly why I'm doing dry January as in my head I now feel that I'm not allowed to, that some other thing has taken control and its out of my hands.
Have you tried antabuse meds - some people find these focus the mind (and the stomach)

Think of doing chores and walking the dog as good things as they stop you from putting the glass in your hand. In my early days I gutted the house, stuck some tunes on and got stuck in. Stayed well away from my 'wine seat' as it was where I most did my drinking. You need a plan written down. Hour by hour if need be to get you through those early days. That is what I did. I am giving aa a go but I know that some folk prefer to not go down that route. Changing your routine and completing a few tasks will make you feel better. Some people swear by having a bath if the urge takes. Take it slowly, take it easy and have plenty of nice soft stuff or drinks in to curb your thirst. Take care xx

Thanks Greeneyed, Joey, Ma. I will see how it goes - I think he doesn't realise the effect his behaviour has on me. I tried to talk about it to him but it doesn't go in :(

I will go to aa, although I'm dreading it....I've looked up somewhere, can I just turn up? I guess so, bricking it

I will go to aa, although I'm dreading it....I've looked up somewhere, can I just turn up? I guess so, bricking it

Gugg you're perfectly right (do you speak Italian/Spanish?) spaghetti puttanesca means whore's spaghetti! It's the same again for dinner tonight - when I do things in the slow cooker I alway do enough for two nights as the flavour really develops and they taste better the second day. What time shall I expect you?

Mouse please take on board what your friends are telling you, you lovely woman. You and your family can't go on like this.

Ma you're on fire at the moment! It's lovely to hear you so full of determination and enthusiasm. You can be strong this weekend, I just know you can. There are lots of babes on the bus better at handholding than I am, but if you need your hand held then mine is outstretched for you.

I'm feeling pretty good here. I ate the last of the icecream last night though. Tonight will be squid puttanesca again with one small glass of red, and I had a three egg omelette with a sprinkling of cheese for lunch. Breakfast was a handful of chestnuts and a spoonful of granola (not together, that would be wrong). I'll weigh myself on Monday, I think, but I don't expect to have lost anything as I've been scoffing icecream!

MA you have been so strong for everyone else & I'm sending lots of positive vibes, hugs, virtual hand holding that you can get through this weekend (( )) x To all the other brave babes, hope that you & I can stave off the wine witch & boozy demons this weekend. I'm sitting preparing for interview for 8:30 on Monday morning....that's giving my butt in kick back to reality! (well I say preparing, does mn count?)
purple sending you hugs lovely & hope you can find lots of positive things to keep you occupied when dc go for the weekend

Just checking in. i'm back from my first aa meeting, everyone was lovely,very normal and kind. I cried and cried and cried- not like me at all. I'm going to have a rest and come back to the bus for a chat later.

I intend to go again next week. Oh and if you were at that meeting where an idiot cried all the time- you were lovely thank you.

pippin just turn up and go! There may be other newcomers in a similar position to you. Going to my first meeting was instrumental in helping me not drink. I just went and listened. There was no pressure for me to share. Everyone there was happy and laughing and looked so well and most importantly sober. What that first meeting did was give me hope, that there is a life without drinking. I don't subscribe to god and I may never do the steps but for me the meetings confirmed that I was not alone and could talk about my issues with someone face to face who knew how I was feeling. Well done for deciding to go and well done! Xx

Well done guggenheim Amazing!

Well done gugg glad it was a positive experience for you x

Huey

It's encouraging to hear that aa can work for you even if you don't like the god bit. I hate the 'higher power' aspect in the twelve steps and I can't buy into it at all.

I've bought a book I'm going to use and if it doesn't work it might be worth psyching my up for aa though it scares the hell out of me.

Still bricking it, what if someone knows me? Although hardly a secret is it now.

Aftet every thing I've done. Public.. Cringe !

Well done Gugg on getting to a meeting - I blubbed my first time also so you're not alone and its not some scary cult like environment just normal people who don't want to drink anymore Pippin get yourself down there its not called anonymous for nothing!! If it doesn't do anything else getting dressed and tidy, making your way there and sitting and drinking a cup of coffee will have given you at least 3 hours wine free!!
Huey You sound so positive with your is it 11 weeks - go girl, and I'm following behind you. The Non-drinking is really working for me I'm definately embracing High Sobriety at the moment - hope it lasts as its a good feeling.

Tis my last day with DD2 today as she goes back to London and college tomorrow, I can honestly say we have not spent such a lovely time together in ages - and all because I haven't been hiding myself away drinking wine - I'll miss both my girls but I'm determined to move on with this new life with the added ability to support them properly with theirs.

I WILL NOT BE DRINKING TODAY

As you know, if I go to aa it will seem "official" I love my kids. So bloody much and I'd rather die that loose them. Repeating myself but its true, I'm going to go now and spend some time with them and play read etc. Least I can do. Big hugs.

I just want to ask a wee question to the brave babes put there. I'm not sure I I should be on this thread? I'm a binge drinker & can easily go weeks and weeks without a drink. Can be in the house Monday through to Sunday night & have no inclination for a drink. But, when I go out its a different story. I do feel that since I jumped aboard in September I have got better with my drinking when out & I am trying to give up wine completely as it is a demon drink for me. Lately on the bus I have been feeling maybe I shouldn't be here, as I can't really offer much help or support for those trying to give up drinking daily. I feel like a bit of a fraud being here. I'm not sure if there are others like me who have problems binge drinking? My Granda was an alcoholic & my dm is going down same path & I do worry that maybe at the moment my issues are when I binge but further down the line it may get worse? Anyway sorry for rambling on (think I'm procrastinating from preparing for job interview!!)