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.

just checking in. Day 8. . will be walking tonight to burn off last night's pie gate scandal.
guggs I'll have a pair of those smug pants please.....

Stands behind mouse
One day at a time. Don't worry about tomorrow or your Birthday or Christmas. Do what you can today to not drink and the future will look after itself.

Sorry - the not the new thread is great , it's great that this has filled up in just two weeks!

I love this Bus and all who ride on her xx

Also, I have no idea why I keep hitting the ; key instead of the ' one! Bloody fingers.

Morning brave babes, Sorry didn't post yesterday, had interview at half 8, then straight to work, then pick up toddler one from childminders and he was shattered as first day back then home to dh moaning at dd as she hadn't tidied up when we were all out & she was still off so then was shattered last night, really craved a glass of wine but didn't! So so going to have a dry January! Interview went kinda well....kinda think! The woman after told me, well done, I'd done really well but think I really messed up a couple of questions as so nervous but we'll see and what will be will be! Sorry all about me and sorry not had time to read thru busy, busy bus! Going to take ds out for a big walk, may take him down to the beach as looks dry-ish. Hope all babes managing and if not well today is a new day and be kind to yourself xx

Day 4 (this feels like a wildlife journal, I can imagine David Attenborough narrating)

mouse and help I massively appreciate you and what you are saying. Thank you both

ma smug pants, you say? Well, I'll just look through the 'specialist' area to see what you suit you.... Actually, well done, sweetie.

Gulp- I have lost some weight, my tummy is much less wobbly. That's never happened before either!

clutter is it a job you would love? If so I hope it all goes your way.

Morning all. Mouse glad you had a good night with Nemo. Just to mention, all's well with DD and her dad and me spending time as a family. We talked about it and since then have been to the cinema to see Life of Pi (don't bother in case you're thinking of going, the book just doesn't translate to the screen) and he's been popping around a lot with dear little June. I spent ages with her yesterday, I love her so much.

Clutter well done with the interview, you've done your best and good luck. Help thanks for reminding us about ODAAT and Gugg I'm like you, would love to control but think I need to abstain but as Mouse says I'm trying not to think too far ahead. If someone offered me a glass of wine, who knows, I might say yes and not beat myself up about it. Drinking certainly is exciting for me, it's always been that way but I'm trying to reframe the way I think about it. Have a good day Hope and Ma you must be walking simply miles! DD is 13 tomorrow so off to bake cakes now. For some reason I can't do big cakes in my oven because they never rise properly but cup cakes, muffins etc are no problem so cup cakes it is!

Well done on day 4 Joey :)

Morning babes, well the vibe on thus bus is so positive my phone has a ready brek glow, I went to bed early (cleansed toned and moisturised) but I couldn't sleep and have woken up this morning looking puffy and feeling much more tired than usual. I know it will take a good while to see any real benefits but its the lovely comments of all of you further on than me than make me absolutely certain I will not drink today, berocca and housework for me today, hugs to all x x x

So envious of u Clutter living near the beach . .

So envious of u Clutter living near the beach . .

So envious of u Clutter living near the beach . .

Very envious Obrigada!!

Morning, day 8 here too. Had a few wobbles last night but managed to talk myself around. Spoke too soon about sleeping as had a really bad night. I'm coming into PmT time and find I want to drink more so big danger time coming up. Well done all of you

Clutter - you feel that you messed up, but that might not be the case. Interviewers 'allow' for nerves to don;t beat yourself up too much sweetie, I hope you hear soon. The waiting is always the hardest part IMO. Have a nice time if you go to the beach xx

Soma - I was going to ask about the DD situation..... I'm glad that things are nice and calm there. She'll work it out in her own way. Some days she may well throw you a curve ball though so watch out for that one!

I'm also pleased that you're getting time with the lovely June. She sounds utterly adorable.

Gugg - great news on the weight loss! Keep going, every day that you don't drink to excess or at all, is another day that your body will thank you and you'll soon see the visible rewards. I promise you! I used to look like >>>>>> THIS but you can see from my profile just how gawjus I am now

Great to hear from you Baby - lots of water will actually help with the puffy face. Funny, I get that too! Spend time taking care of my skin, I'm a sucker for an all in one moisturiser or lush serum, and then wake looking like I've slept with a hippo on my face!

I too use Berocca and find it gives me a real lift in the mornings, especially after bad nights!!

Tiger - PMT time used to be a huge trigger for me because my mood changed. The thing is, you know it's a trigger. You know it's there so head the bugger off before it gets to you and get some yummy treats in. Think about what you'd spend on wine/booze and get something that little bit special in that is YOURS!

When I first stopped, I had a pot that I put money into. Money I would have spent on alcohol and would treat myself now and again to little things but even managed a spa day once!

You know the signs, you know the WW is on her way to give you a kicking if you let her, keep posting and keep telling us how you feel so that we can help xx

Good morning all
Mouse: are you the same mouse as in the early threads? I am reading the early threads at moment( on about the 6th i reckon!) and it is so inspiring and helping me so much!
Does MIFLAW still post? He is great!! Also Jesus? Is she still posting?
Anyway, i am trying to get to know the regulars.. But i am a bit shy to make prper conversation at mo... Hopefully that will change soon!

MrD - just jump right in! We're all a bit shy at first, well most of us!

Jesus still walks amongst us is with us but is very busy with RL I think, she's lovely though isn't she? And the whole reason this thread exists in the first place. It was her life that started this Bus journey......

MIFLAW pops up from time to time. He's been likened to Marmite by one poster in the past, can't remember who . I love him as do most of the Babes because he says it like it is.

No fucking about!!

Morning! Well I'm on day 8 - all well so far. I did realise last night though that I'm not substituting my alcohol intake with anything else, so need to start drinking more alternatives - It was easy to pour a gin or a cider but doesn't feel the same having a soft drink somehow - need to get into the habit. Day off today - I always do this when the children go back to school after a holiday - a day to clean, relax and go to the gym - although today I'm on the local radio - they do this thing called 'chat room' and i've been on it before - basically I'm raising money so my dd can get a hearing aid (which our pct won't fund .) We need £7K and last year the pub my eldest daughter manages, raised nearly £1K by doing various things. I went on to talk about it all, and obviously made an impression as they've asked me back! I will start name checking - still catching up though! Suffice to say all have as good a day as you can x

Holly - can you set up a just giving page or something and I will make a donation? Nemo has low frequency hearing loss and will need hearing aids at some point.

I think it's diabolical that your local PCT will not fund them. Why? How can they refuse a child treatment that she clearly needs? What reason have they given?

I'm actually rather shocked by that. Good luck on the Radio, as I said, if you can set something up, I'd be happy to contribute xx

And great news for day 8! Go you!

Marmite! Love the stuff myself!
Catch up later... Going for a long dog walk...(as opposed to the short one that i used to do... Enabling me more time to drink!)

Morning Babes - just a quickie to say well done to everyone posting here at the moment. I did a dreadful thing last night and bought a size 14 dress online. My new shopping habit is beginnning to get out of control as I'm not yet a size 14 still on the 16s - but finally in the 11s- scale wise. Strange that with the drinking I'm definately a one day at a time girl, but body image and weight loss I can't wait and want to be my 30 year old self again NOW.

It is a lovely everday type of dress though - and I think I'll hang it on show in my bedroom as inspiration.

Over the last couple of years my wardrobe staples have been black M&S baggy rousers and a stretchy top, covered over with a big coat and comfy shoes that I wore every day everywhere. I was not interested and really let myself go, besides I had no spare money for 'treats' Mr Pinot Grigio was bledding me dry. I seem to have rediscovered FASHION.

Not drinking is still my main goal though and I WILL NOT BE DRINKING TODAY.

thanks soma you're so right about trying to 'reframe' the way we think about alcohol

your DD is 13?! a teenager ? I am so dreading the day that happens...

Aw thanks Mouse, I keep trying to set up a JG page but get in a terrible muddle. Some people have paypalled. I will try to sort something out though! It is ridiculous - she needs a BAHA, but it's a postcode lottery sadly. Unfortunately (or fortunately) she has been deemed too clever to need a ToD or any extra help, even though the hearing in her good ear is fairly low. I am a member of a group of people with the same condition (which I also have) and I weep daily seeing children getting their BAHA's just like that. Nothing we can do though - we can't be referred, the appeal failed, the MP is shit, so I am fundraising! She's a tough little thing though and has adapted really well - luckily I know what she's going through so we ignore people together! crossing the road can be a bit of a chore though .

I'm posting the NEW THREAD now because I'm going out.

I don't want there to be nowhere to post, as has happened in the past, ahem.

For those who don't know, we fill this one up to 1000 post limit and then leap across to the other thread. Please can we stay here until it's full so we don't leave anyone behind? All you need to do is click on the purple 'NEW THREAD' link and it'll take you straight there.

Maybe go over to the other thread and put it on your 'watch thread' list (at the top of the page) so you know where to go once this one's full.

Thank you lovely Babes

See you later,

Mouse xxx