The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Off To Find The Summer Sun and Sobriety!

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse :)

Welcome to the Bus, take a seat and enjoy the ride. We're a Bus full of drinkers, non-drinkers, those who are trying to give up for life, those who are giving up for a few hours because that's all that they can manage (which is fine!) or quitting just for today......

We don't wear Judgey Pants (they're far too last year darhling ) but we have hugs a plenty and tough love when it's needed. Which isn't often!

So, what have you got to lose? If you're reading this, you're thinking that you are no longer happy with the way you drink, which tells me that this is the Bus for you. :)

If you'd like to see where we've been so far and what we've been up to, take a peek HERE

And if you want to knnow why we're here in the first place, take a look at THIS THREAD RIGHT HERE :)

See you soon x

Thanks for sharing Glad - I hope you have a good holiday x

how rude of me

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

Glad - fantastic post again from you, thank you so much for sharing your life with us, and for your positive spin on what was clearly a very shitty time for you?

You seem a different person from the one I knew before, there's something about you, I'll get there but I think, maybe I'm wrong but I think that you are actually, finally, ready to stop killing yourself, pickling your insides, hiding from the truth that hurts you so much.......

Something tells me that you are ready to dip your toe, or stamp your foot in the word of sobriety! If that's the case then welcome lovely, we've been waiting for you, if not and you're teetering on the edge, we're all here waiting for you, when you're ready, as always and on your terms. It's great to have you back, have a great holiday xxx

Baby - I'm so sorry that you're so down and drinking as you are. Has something triggered this or has it snuck up on you do you think? I know that at one point you were doing great and really seemed to be getting the hang of everything, are you okay?

I mean REALLY? xxx

Thorn - we're all here for you, how are you feeling today lovely? xxx

Tis bath time for the little fishboy so I shall return later on :)

JWN - yup, can you believe it? BIG SCHOOL! And, for now at least, mainstream :) xxx

babyj don't forget also the steroids will have a big effect on your mood swings. Please go and see your GP if you are struggling, this is a huge burden on you.

Evening babes, thank you for all your lovely supportive posts, it never ceases to amaze me the warmth and kindness you all show me, especially as I don't deserve it. Today I feel a sense of relief, I know with certainty I have reached a point of no return of I will lose everything I love if I fail. Quite simply this is it, and I'm kinda glad, I have so many people who love me and I'm hurting them SO with the support of this bus and lots of eating well and excercise I will life the life I deserve and give my family the life they deserve, huge hugs to one and all x x x

Hugs Baby. Be kind to yourself, you're going through a shit time but you will come out the other side. xxx

Hey purple how's tricks?
I planned to go for a run tonight. I am drinking wine and eating peanut m &ms. I give up.
Ds started big big school today. First day at high school survived.

Fantastic post glad, thanks for sharing

babyjane I've been lurking on this thread since you first started posting and I think you totally do deserve the kindness and warmth shown to you - you don't deserve to be having such a rotten time of it x

Day 3 nearly over with

Just peeking through the bus window. babyjane my heart goes out to you. glad - you are such an inspiration. I might jump on at the next stop.

baby you do deserve it, take all the help and support you can, grab it, wrap it around you and use it as it's intended, to give you the hope, strength and courage to face what each day brings x

Hi Harriet, do jump aboard. All are welcome

Hey purple, how's things?

I'm genuinely touched by these wonderful messages of support, this bus is a truly wonderful place, my life has changed already just by getting you all and the success stories posted lately have renewed my faith in a life without wine, I'm sending all my love and affection to every one of you splendid ladies, thank you xxxx

Sorry not to name check end of day 2 for me baby come and buddy up with me I was in a dark place on Monday but things have improved a little today hopefully things will improve a little more tomorrow we can do this odaat. Hopefully my anxiety won't surfice in work tomorrow my love goes out to anyone who's struggleing tonight's x

Evening, tis me, Mouse

Baby - you are worth every single drop of our love, support and help. We want you here, we need you to keep posting so that we can get a better understanding of what's going on, how we can help you, hold you, keep you from falling too fast, too far.

Baby - you have been the anchor for others in the past, the light, the soothing voice, go back to then, take the pressure off yourself just now and try to get through the hours that tick by..... stop trying to be sober and instead, let's work out how WE can cut down again, if you don't want to stop altogether that is.

Or, if you do, let us help you. We can all pitch in with our own ways of coping, we can all be here for you at one time or another? What do YOU want? How can we help YOU sweetheart? Snuggle into the comfort of the Bus, stay onboard and let us carry your burdens for a while, One Day At A Time xxx

PUUUUUUUUURRRRRPS!!!!!!!!!! - how the devil are you and things in your life? Are you okay sweets?

Doing - is Harriet someone that you want to change your drinking for or you? Whichever it is, welcome, take a seat and tell us whatever you like, whenever you like..... you know how the Bus travels and where it can take you. Welcome :) x

Well done Annie - 3 days is great. I meant it, one day is hard, 2 is shit to get through and 3 is brilliant because you know that you can do more than 2 days off the drink. :) xxx

Ma - I remember DD going up to Secondary School and I sobbed then as I did when she went to Primary and Nursery too........ they grow so fast in the blink of an eye. Huggles from the Mouse house to you xxx

Hey Lonni - how are you doing? All good?

Tomorrow we (Nemo and I) are going to see his 1-1 that was at preschool, we've missed her loads and have been trying to get together for the last few weeks..... so, Nemo has chosen some toys that he wants to take already!!

Anyway, it's late, I'm tired and in pain again, as always after a rough night getting stuck in bed with spasms...

So, sleep well lovely Brave Babes, no matter where you are, drinking or not, I hope that you have a settled and peaceful night. xxx

evening gorgeous babes

Just checking in. Big wave to all x

Still feeling low but I understand why (not spider related) and I'm slowly surfacing again. I'm getting to grips with all the stupid things I drank on or over and I'm letting myself feel real feelings again.

Unfortunately, my feelings suck.

So, I know this will pass and I know this is much healthier than numbing my feelings out with booze.I think my feelings are going through a teenage phase without my permission.

OPEN DOOR,slam door,OPEN DOOR,stomp upstairs.... It's SO UNFAIR!!!!!

Morning babes, right here goes alias guggen ladame mouse purple annie harriet faire and thisis I had to NC every one of you because every single of your posts which lightened few very dark days, I will return the kindness to everyone of you. Day 2 here, slept like a log and no withdrawal and no desire to drink whatsoever so a good start. Make no mistake it's you guys holding me up and the power of this bus is life changing/saving so anyone struggling or lurking, this bus can save your soul!!! Today lots of water, lots of fruit and oodles of hope xxxxx

Morning babes.

Babyjane it is great to hear you sounding better, you have had some great words and support here I don't think I can add anything except be kind to yourself. And keep posting of course!

I have done the classic Pink behaviour, started drinking again on holiday last week. This morning I have my first hangover in weeks and weeks. I drank on holiday but only a couple a day, now it has crept back up. I feel truly dreadful today, like my insides are shaking. I feel sick and my head is hurting. Add on top of that the sense of shame and annoyance with myself, I have got to slog through today now feeling like this.

It seemed so awful to face doing it all over again, being back at day one but do you know what, day one is better than feeling like this. Day one is a gift compared to a hangover.

So today is day one again, I am going to embrace it knowing I will feel better this time tomorrow.

Love to all

Pink X

Good morning all babes Well, I did four days off last week and have done two days 'off' so far this week, with my third day off tonight. I can manage this, after pretty much every night having a bottle of wine, this is something of an achievement for me. I feel calmer, my face looks 'different' somehow, I've lost a couple of pounds and every day that I don't drink, it's easier the next time iyswim. I know I can't give up completely and I enjoy the social aspect and relaxing with the old man. If I make the decision to have a night off, it's easier to stick to than if I feel 'will I or won't I' about it.

I admire so much all of you that are months into giving up and I identify with all of you who are struggling. It's great to have this bus to come to and chat and it really helps.

Be kind to yourselves today everyone.

I'm lurking for now, I'm going to try hard to make today Day 1.

Morning babes, Day 3 for me today:)

pink I can't tell you how many Sundays I have had the thought "I wish it was tomorrow so this feeling was over" talk
About wishing your life away. Berocca reallly helps and be safe in the knowledge that tomorrow will be better xxxx

Afternoon all,

My 'deep and mysterious' phase turned out to be,mostly, pms. So over myself now

thorn today is a good day to be day 1. Do you have a plan for this evening? ones involving ice cream are popular. Good luck.

baby you absolutely can do this. stay away from that 1st drink and remember HALT. I go to bed with a book for the first few days just to get some rest and to stay away from temptation. Be thinking of you x

pink poor you! Wish it was possible to bottle that hangover feeling- that would be a wonder drug to keep us off the booze. I have had many and varied hangovers. They were all grim and got worse with time. YUK!

'lo there ladame and obrigada well done.

I had a big,big chat with dh last night about what's been upsetting me. He was great and we had a long chat about drinking/recovery,but what's strange is how he had no real idea about how much I was drinking or how obsessed I had been with it all. I had no real idea at the time either- so,so strange how alcohol works.

Oh I am struggling to make this Day 1. I keep thinking l can start tomorrow, but I've been saying that for weeks.

I have multiple voices in my head telling me all the reasons why I need/deserve/should have wine, all clamouring to be heard.

They are literally drowning out the reasons I should not. They're even trying to stop me posting this.

Gugg I know, isn't it strange? Mr L is completely mystified about why I worry about it. He says things like 'well, everyone likes a drink' and that we don't know anyone that doesn't drink. Even that it's (only!) a bottle of wine, three or four glasses. If I am having a night off, he just looks a bit puzzled and say's 'ok, if you feel you need to'. I told him how much I worry about it and he was completely amazed that I'd given it so much space in my head. It's not easy being good in the face of all that.

Baby ODAAT lovely. Start again and it will get easier, you've done it before and YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN.

Have a nice evening all babes.

Thornrose Some of us hear it in our head, I 'feel' it in my stomach. Just take it minute by minute, it doesn't go on all night. Eat something, go for a walk, do your nails, a crossword or have a bubbly bath. Anything you can think of to distract yourself.