The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Whacking The Wine Witch Round The Chops (With Barry The Squid).

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse :)

I'm one of the Brave Babes who's travelling on this wonderful, magical, mysterious Bus, trying to hold onto my sobriety for me, and for my family.

I do drink but thanks to this Bus, I've kicked the vodka addiction into touch and the evil WineWitch has been banished far, far away so I now drink in a controlled manner, One Day At A Time. :)

By that, I mean that just for today, I won't be drinking. Tomorrow, however, I will be because it's a very special occasion. The day after will be dealt with when I wake, and the day after that, the day after etc.....

We're a Bus filled with some fantastic posters, some who drink, some who don't touch a drop ever and some who are on/off drinkers who have lovely warm seats in the side-car, some are hanging onto the roof-rack by the tips of their fingers and trying their best to resist the dreaded WineWitch's charms night after night. But they are trying, and that's all that any of us can do, is keep trying, keep starting again!

So, if you think that you're drinking too much (you probably are) why not come and say hi? We won't bite - unless you ask very nicely, manners cost nothing .

There's lots of seats so pick whichever one you like and have a . Just jump in, we're not a judgemental pack of quiche makers

And here's a bit of light reading for you.... our latest thread and the very first one, the reason we're all here.

PREVIOUS THREAD

FIRST EVER THREAD

[curryeater]

So many sad and defensive posts. Sorry if I seemed to be saying people aren't doing enough, saying enough. That isn't what I meant and you are all brilliant.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Whew! How are you doing today, curry?

[Mouseface]

Morning, tis me, Mouse

Just of to start the new thread xx

[Mintyy]

Aww Faire, don't mind me, it was just a tiny joke on my part.

Tonight I won't be drinking. I like to mix up my days off alcohol, just to get myself out of that silly way of thinking things like "its ok, its Friday, I can have a drink on Fridays".

I have had half a bottle of wine and one gin and tonic this week. That's enough for me. If I have more than 3 glasses of wine in one evening I have disrupted sleep and I have decided that I like my sleep more than I like my third glass of wine .

Good luck to all babes for today.

[ohcluttergotme]

Mouse you are awesome! I know you don't do this thread for thanks or recognition & that you say it gives you a space, a place, an outlet but still it must be time-consuming yet you always find the time.
Left to me the thread would dwindle out as basically I'm kinda selfish & post when I find time & it suits. You are completely selfless & though you have so much in your own life you keep it going.
Just wanted to say thank you for keeping the bus moving xx

[aliasjoey]

Yes thanks mouse

Hip hip...

[Theala]

I woudl like to second (third?) clutter's post. Thanks a million Mouse. You are a star.

Morning babes! Cold and windy here, but today I am mostly going to be thinking about my boobs (having been reading the bra intervention threads recently) and far less about drinking.

Glad to see you back curry.

Have a good day all!

[babyjane1]

lrd clutter lonnika fantastic posts, lrd I feel like a "net curtain drinker" every one refers to wine o'clock but not when 1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 3 etc, etc so a valid point about social perception of female drinkers. clutter and lonnika I totally agree about the importance if this thread, I feel very lonely at times, my depression has isolated me from some of my friends and this thread has given me hope. I love reading about the benefits of success and commiserate and empathise with those still struggling like myself. This is the first weekend I have ever contemplated not drinking since pregnancy and I am nervous but determined to succeed. Whatever anyone says about this bus I need you all!!! TODAY I WILL NOT DRINK I want to make my fellow babes proud and I want to feel pride x x x

[Ladame]

babyjane1 Great positivity there ! . I'm not doing so well, only managed two nights off this week.

[babyjane1]

ladame

[babyjane1]

ladame bonjour!!! 2 nights better than nothing, after nearly a week without wine my daughter just said "mum your tummy looks flatter" music to my ears x x x x

[Mouseface]

No need for thanks, really. Like I said before, I do this as much for me, just as much as I do it for you wonderful Babes :)

Sometimes we all need somewhere to go, just to rant or say how we feel about the fact that the desire to drink is so very overwhelming!

So HERE IS THE NEW THREAD

Can we fill this before deserting it? Thank you lovely Babes, off to get dressed and brave the outdoors. I want my bed for the day but we need some food. Best get some!! I'll wrap the boy up and he'll be fab.

Back later xxxx

[Mouseface]

Baby - you'd be so surprised at the difference a few days makes, well done xx

[PurpleWolfe]

Ladame I loved your Dad's saying. And I shall keep an eye on Anna.

Joey Thanks Lovely!

Green Sharing the side-car, sister.

Ionn Thank you and 'Hi' to Ma (How's Richard doing?)

LRD I didn't watch ER but Abbey sounds like someone I'd like to see portrayed in British TV. Not over dramatic, not evil, not running people down in cars (Carla - Corrie), just normal Mums with a need for a crutch and trying to deal with day-to-day shit. Would be honoured to have you sit beside me.

Mouse as much as you don't want our thanks, you are still the 'kingpin' of the thread. We all luffs your whiskery self!!

Amazingly, just seen a post elsewhere from one of the chaps who adopted my dog. Seems he had serious alcohol problems and had to go to re-hab and have a lot of medical help to overcome his addiction. I can't relate to the honesty he has in talking about which AA meeting to go to (in a matter-of-fact way) on a social networking site. I so wish I could do the same. Secrecy, for me, is destructive.

[PurpleWolfe]

(Really, really shouldn't watch Secret Millionaire when I'm feeling emotionally vulnerable.>

[babyjane1]

purple big squidgy hug x x x x

[Theala]

You ok Purple?

[PurpleWolfe]

Thanks, Theala, lost my way, a bit. Struggling, a lot. xx

[Theala]

Crap. Do you want to talk about it, or will I just squidge the other side for a hug sandwich?

[aliasjoey]

Burst into tears at work. Manager criticised something I did (not sure if it was justified or not, DH thinks possibly but storm-in-a-teacup. but he's a bloke, what does he know...)

Trying to figure out how to handle strong emotions, feel awful that people might notice I'm upset (although I kind of want them to notice in a way?) Sometimes I can't stop crying and end up in the toilets and its not like I even have a hard time of it (compared to some people) As noted earlier in the thread, I luckily don't have experience of divorce or unemployment or bereavment... why can't I just grow up and handle things more maturely...!

I'm not going to drink tonight, NO. But what other way to get rid of/deal with emotions and horrid things in my head? I feel like theres a brainstorm in my head, full of adrenalin and anger and confusion and hurt.

I am so so sorry for going on about silly things when I know there are other people with much more serious problems. I do wish I could handle things better.

[aliasjoey]

Hopefully we'll finish off this thread quickly, and then no-one will see my self-pitying whine!

[PurpleWolfe]

You have no idea how much I appreciate the squidge from Theala and the big fluffy blanket and hot chocolate from Joey. All out of talk just now - boring the shit out of myself so don't want to inflict the 'same ol', same ol'' on everyone else. I need to find some strength and get a grip!

Joey Work politics are awful! How weird to have to be in 'relationships' with other people who have - other agendas, have other underlying problems, have shit for brains, have no interest in other's feelings, are only out for themselves etc. Don't beat yourself up. A lot of us get emotional when we get criticised - whether right or wrong. Only thing I can suggest is you ride it out until you get home then dump it in the hallway with your shoes and your coat.

And, it's not 'silly things', it's stuff that's making you sad. It matters. And the phrase 'grow up'?! I suspect there are many of us on here that feel like that. We can't all be strong, all the time.

xxxx

[ohcluttergotme]

Aw Alias, don't be sorry. Your problems & worries are relevant to you & have an impact on your battle with the ww. I don't think we should feel silly because we think our problems are not serious enough although guilty of this myself! Hope things get better at work.
Purple, sorry that your feeling rubbish, wish I could sprinkle some magic fairy dust over you & your home & you felt safe, secure, loved & happy x
Venus thinking of you & hope you are getting to spend some time with your mum x

[Theala]

alias a hug for you too, darling. I know exactly what you mean, as I've often felt the same way. Everyone else seems to cope with 'normal life' ok, so I don't know why I can't.

Here is a non-conclusive list of things that have at times helped me that are not drinking:
-Xanax (most recently)
-Hard exercise - going for a good run or cycle sometimes works.
-Meditation (attempting it anyway - have a look for Jon Kabat-Zinn books if you haven't already.)
-Yoga/pilates.
-Going out with girlfriends and having a laugh.
-Being intimate [/Marge Simpson] with partner - massage is good.
-Playing with kittens. (This is not quite as soppy as it sounds as good friends of partner run a cat santuary and he's often over there fixing things and sometimes I go too.)
-Going to bed early with an interesting book and/or pulling the covers over my head.

Mostly, though, I think you just need to ride it out until you get to a better place.