The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Boinging Into Spring, With A Dance And A Sing!

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, Mouse and I'm one of the regular travellers on this Bus!

This is a Bus for drinkers, the completely sober, those fighting to stay sober and everyone in between! No matter what, you're welcome here if you feel you don't like the way you drink anymore, or you're worried for someone else.

Take a seat.

You'll be listened to, looked after and maybe (if you're lucky), slapped with our resident Squid, Barry whom I'm sure you'll meet in time!

So, what have you got to lose by posting? What have you got to lose by coming to say hello and telling us why you don't like the way you drink anymore?

And, if you'd like to see where we've been so far HERE IS THE LAST THREAD

And the reason we're ALL here in the first place, the first ever thread is ALL HERE

See you soon xx

faire thank you, that's a great reminder about how we might have to wait for the benefits of not drinking. I don't usually notice ANY benefits at first - it's only weeks later that I realise I feel better overall.

And I guess that applies to diet and exercise too. I often give up after a few days ("I've been taking the stairs at work for 3 WHOLE DAYS, and still haven't noticed any changes!" ) and I am sticking to it long term now.

How's your DD today Joey? xx

Same here Joey, can go great guns for 3 days and then I end up feeling fatter so I give up...

Diet bit not going too well here. Just found and demolished a packet of Fruitellas in minutes!

Urgh, I got two beers in the shop ?!!

thing that's annoying is, I picked DS up from school, came home, then my phone rang, it was my mate needing a jump start, so I went and helped her with kids in the car, when we got back on the road DS starts on about a milkshake I had promised (at the wknd?!) so went to shop, and bought 2 beers :(

Least it wasn't bottle of wine?

Nope, I'm crap, i did one fucking day

Libertine Have you drunk the beers yet? Or even just one? If you still have one or both can you pour them away? Or give them away? Or put them somewhere out of sight? x

If we are talking periods then I am just starting my second in three bloody weeks! Grrrr. Have two adult dds so can get very intense in here at times
And seeing as you asked, bro attended an AA meeting last night, has been filling in his diary which DH went through with him today, and had a NA day yesterday! Or so he says....
Off to doctor now with dd2 and her troublesome back AGAIN! Time to do ranty mum - no it does not need rest, no she does not need any more sprays, gels and painkillers....it has been 6 months. Step it up a fucking gear and get us referred to someone who can help ffs!

Think someone should forewarn your Doc, Ma! You go get 'em! xx

yes, purple, drank them both. I felt great today, don't understand myself at all, today wasn't even hard,wtf am I going to be like when it gets hard?

ma I'm trying to get MNHQ to start an addictions topic, think it's incredible we have knitters corner and Christmas but they won't entertain a place for addicts and families of addicts to access support, even here you're in relationships ffs.

Curry, completely hear where your coming from. If I go out I have to have a drink & due to anxiety/nerves I practically down it then before I know it I've had 4 or 5 wines & then don't know where to stop. But I have never, ever been to a social event & not drunk (not even when pregnant )
At the moment I am a social recluse, I am declining any invitation as feel safer at home where there are no triggers or temptation! x

Lemony I have a word for that feeling: DEPART

DEpression PAranoia Regret and Truth. That's what I used to feel after overdrinking. It's starts with the high but very quickly leads to the rest. The paranoia was often health related. The truth bit is where I started to face the truth that it couldn't go on like this. Have a (((hug))) sweetie, a nice cuppa tea and some chocolate. Tomorrow will be better.

Libertine It's not the end of the world. Stop where you are now. Have a big drink of water and clean your teeth. If you haven't done so already, have something nourishing to eat. I like to keep stocks of veggie soup handy, it's an easy way to get some vitamins in. Every single drink that you don't drink is helping your body. Stick with it, try again tomorrow x

Ma I think if Richard was still in denial I can see how he could keep turning to drink. But to admit that you are addicted and not try to do something about it, is more of a choice. From what you've said, it sounds like he is still coming to terms with the addiciton and the fact that, once he is weaned off the booze, he can never, ever drink again. Can the gp not give him something to help him detox? Must be really hard for him to stop if he can't go cold turkey . Anyway, please don't feel you can't talk about him here, we are all interested and happy to help support you, as you support him x

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

Thank you for the sleepy well wishes IsinDe for Nemo, not a bad night actually, although he did wake it, was because he'd lost Ernie, his elephant comforter so he went straight back off after I'd gotten in with him just for a snuggle, next thing it was 7am!

Libertine - hello and thank you We're in 'Relationships' because that's where the very first thread was started. It was all about our lovely JWN on the brink of losing her marriage, her relationship with her DD, losing her relationship with everyone around her

Not only that, we've discussed this before btw and I don;t mean that in a shitty way, the 'relationships' that we all have individually with alcohol, have a direct result/effect/affect etc on our everyday relationships with our DC/DW/DH/DP and families in general. And of course, the relationship we have with ourselves. So, that's why we've stayed here and not moved to General Health for example.

Anyway, I'm waffling. We find that most people get pointed in our direction if they look for help elsewhere and then of course it's up to them whether or not to post, kind of like you?

Lemony - what's up sweets? Can you talk about it/do you want to? You'll be feeling worse because of the hangover as you know but if things are shitty, maybe letting some of it out will take the weight off you? xx

Purple - I too am peri-menopausal (at 38) and have been for about a year I think. DD is 14 and I know when she's got her period because I get all of the symptoms!! How are you feeling mood wise? And brighter? xx

ma - sorry to read that your DB is still lying. Jeff what a mess! It's all so fucked up isn't it? Your poor mum and you must be exhausted. I do hope that your time with your family for DH's birthday brings you some much needed smile time! xx

Obrigada -well done on not getting wasted at the weekend, strange how the weekend has such a hold over the drinker isn't it? Maybe it's a lack of work thing? No work, school run, driving around maybe? Good to hear from you xx

Joey - I'm in the hormones camp too re DD..... she sounds as though she's going through puberty and it's hitting her hard and fast at times. Bless her xx

School again tomorrow for us, I'm hoping that Nemo has a good day..... he seemed to be better after lunch on Monday so I'm hoping we can get back to where we were sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed.

Hello Faire - it seems that I keep missing you and posting to you, how are YOU? xx

Ma - I agree with what others have said too, you need to let this out so let Richard out here! Please? xx

Curry - ((HUG))

Clutter - I hope you're okay, how long until your new job now? I have a dreadful memory! I know you most likely posted it! xx

Thanks a lot, it really does mean a lot, all of you, who bother to post, when I'm being so half arsed myself.

I did stop after that even though I could have got some more, I've eaten tea, and all's OK, just worried that I wanted to have a clean week for the first time in I don't know how long, and can't seem to?!

Mouse that makes sense (you guys being in relationships I mean) but I'm talking about ALL addictions, of which there are so many, flagged up on mainstream TV today about painkiller addicts, that get prescribed by their doctors. but families of serious drug/drink addicts too, just think it's really really strange they seem so reluctant to the idea.

Doc tried the more painkillers route...we ended up with appointment for acupuncture, referral to see consultant orthopedic person and some pills which will relax muscle spasms at night. Hopefully we will see some progress.
mouse how is my favourite fish boy?

purple diet not going too well here either! But we are tackling our issues in the order they will kill us!

DD in tears 3 times today - God help us if this is puberty.

Hey Mouse, I was in the bath! Just missed you. I'm doing very well, thanks for asking. Back on the healthy diet but not much exercise yet. I'm still waiting for it warm up a bit. Your gym and sauna sounds lovely, wish we had something like that nearby. Or at least something that I could afford!

Ma at least that's something, hope she doesn't have to wait too long to see the consultant.

Libertine the trouble with setting a goal like, say, a whole week, is that if you don't do it, it's easy to give up. Better to make the goal one day. Or even one hour if that's what needed. Stick with it, lovely, it really does get easier, or at least mangeable, ime.

Joey another one here that thinks it's probably hormones. It seems so young doesn't it. They don't get to be kids for long. My dd had a really difficult time when she first started, was in a lot of pain and passing out at school. I took her to the gp and she's got a couple of prescriptions which really do seem to help. If she's anything like me, she'll grow out of the worst of it.

Libertine - I agree re an addiction topic on MN...... there needs to something maybe alongside Mental Health or in General Health that people with ALL addictions can post in. Smoking, drink, drugs, sex , gambling anything really.......

Well done on not getting any more beer, that was a huge step for you I'm guessing? You're not doing anything 'half arsed' btw, you are starting at 'a point' and trying to move forward from it to better yourself, to stop the way you were drinking. Sounds pretty okay from where I'm sat.

As others have said, you need to take care of today and not worry about tomorrow until it arrives. Even if you worry about the next few hours, and how you're going to get through them, that's fine. You can't change the fact that you've had a drink, but you've changed what happens from here on in by not going for more.

Tomorrow when you get up, worry about the next few hours and how you'll get through them, whether at work, home or whatever, just take the day as it comes okay?

Someone is always here, it might take a while but we're here. Come and tell us what you want to do tomorrow afternoon, then a few hours later, your plans for the night. Or not, it really is up to you when and how you post but you need to remember that we're all in the same Bus, for the same reason. xx

Faire - good for you with the healthy eating. I'm lucky that the gym guy took pity on my I think, that and the fact I wore a snuggly fitting t-shirt (it's a running top from when I used to be able to run) so it showed my, ahem, assets off rather well

At least you're doing something lovely xx

Ma - it took me a few hours but FishBoy has had his hair cut as he was starting to look a lot like Shirley Temple!! His hair is super curly and boy it grows fast! He's all neat and tidy now

His ear is still bad, he is still wobbly about school and he's still off with DH which I may go into detail about at some point..... not the best of Sunday's in the MouseHouse, all very sad and shocking really but we're getting back on track I think......

How did Richard get on at church? Did he talk about it after? How is your mum, I do worry for you all sweetheart. Has DD landed yet and how is life with YOU? xx

Joey - Would she take a supplement? I have taken Evening Primrose Oil for eons and also Starflower Oil is another good supplement for women/girls of menstruating age...... It may help just settle things a bit? Or, you could try and make sure she gets lots of green veg in her diet or a full spectrum, multibiotic/probiotic vitamin? Something just to support her hormone levels as they are going sky high and back down again every few minutes bless her. I'm so sorry that she's having such a hard time of things. Bless her heart xxxx

Tonight was the hardest yet but I dont know why. I tried to work out why but the main reason seemed to be 'just because I can'. I resisted and knowing I was going to record it here helped me! Best wishes everyone.

Aww mouse did you cut off all his lovely curls? Bless his fins.
Dd1 landed safely and has been surprisingly "chatty" by her standards. Seems happy. Has several times referred to " my friend" whom is a "he" so maybe that accounts for the unaccustomed smile on her face....I will wait for Dd2 to ferret out more information.
They are all in the kitchen making dhs birthday cake....which sounds to be a hilarious activity. Hate to think what the kitchen is going to look like.....

I was having a wee think earlier, as I lay in my lovely bubble bath. How about an experiment? If you drink regularly, have a think about what you would normally drink in a week. Be it four bottles of beer, six bottles of wine, whatever.

Now, whatever you might drink in the week ahead has to be bought in advance. Today. If you don't buy it, you can't have it. And you have to carry all that drink for a whole week. If you put it down, it's gone. You can't have it next week.

So, maybe you only drink Thursday, Friday, Saturday and that's just 3 bottles of wine. You have to carry those bottles wherever you go, whatever you do. If you need your hands free, then you can put them in a backpack but they must remain attached to your body for the whole week. You can put it down if you want, but then it's gone and you will have no alcohol at all next week.

Now, how difficult is it to get through just one week, carrying just one weeks worth of booze? How badly do you want that booze next week. How scared are you of putting it down. Does it prevent you from carrying out quite basic tasks. Showering for example?

Do you feel the weight on your body and mind. The physical weight but also the inconvenience, the ever present juggling, the emotional drain on your mind as you figure out how to go about your daily business.

Do you sleep well with that backpack on? Do you wake feeling refreshed or a bit battered? Do you worry that others are looking at you, judging you? Can you run and play easily with your children?

No? Well why not put it down. Just take that weight off, shed the worry and leave it on the ground.

So you'll have no alcohol next week. What will you turn to in times of stress, celebration or boredom? Well, you'll find another way, that's what. You'll find a different way to cope that you don't have to carry around with you all the time.

Me? I won't drink until Mothers Day, so I'm ok this week. I'm handsfree for a while. And when I do drink, it won't be more than two glasses. I think I can manage to carry that. I can put it in my coat pocket, it won't weigh me down.

How about you?

I know that fear held me back at first. I was scared of putting it down. I thought I needed it. I was wrong.

Just a thought to mull over

Well done Hope xx

Ma - not as short as in the past but he was looking like a girl! The cake making sounds fab! Pic when done? I hope you all manage to have a great time and that DD's smile is down to her, ahem, 'friend'

Night Brave Babes..... lots of love to you all, wherever you are, whatever you're thoughts and fears, hope you're all safe. xx

Faire - have you been drinking?

You are on fire with that post! Seriously, you are in my head totally, I often think like that but can never think how to post it logically. You have, brilliant!

Night lovely xxx