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

oh and Isinde you are my friend too - this bus would be lost without your words of wisdom and your beautiful poetry, your wicked sense of humour and your tales about your gorgeous DTs

EVERYONE drinking or not, has something to give, every time they post, to someone on the bus, or someone lurking.

EVERYONE on this bus is worth a voice, whether offering advice, expressing fear about their drinking, moaning about the broken washing machine, proudly announcing another day booze free, posting pissed in despair.

I know that it all helps to keep me focused on the task in hand.

(you can tell I'm on day 5 up with the lark and all that )

"it's his birthday" is a GREAT reason NOT to drink Tanggo

When was the last time you did a birthday sober?

look at as a NEW and exciting experience - and you will remember every detail.

How good is that

I have never done a birthday sober its always involved drink and I have a few dc too oldest is sixteen

A new chapter then silver

Desperation/ panic to get through today without giving in

A better memory of today will serve me well and his better memory of his DM not spiralled over the bouncy castle em arising herself later

• embarrassing

In some ways it will be a lot easier that a long boring day with no plans, when all you do (or I do) is mull over how early I can have a drink, have I got to drive later so I can't have one till such and such a time, have I got enough wine in or will I have to schlep to the local shop pissed again to get more etc etc

Instead you could try it as a bit of an experiment - watch as other people get slowly (or quickly) tipsy then more and more drunk - it is truly an eye opener and it will strengthen your resolve (or it has done in the past for me)

I only talk from my limited experience of sobriety (4 months previously) but that is how I got through social occasions.

Also, your DCs will be secretly very very proud, whether they show it or not.

And COME ON HERE if you need support, if you are wavering, come on here BEFORE you pick up.

Sometimes all we need is a quick reminder, and the WW is road kill

*than a long boring day, not that!

I get what you mean it will be a lot eaiser although it feels its NOT it can feel wiser to drink and give in but on a whole / long term
It takes away so many niggles/ problems doesn't it I'm terrible for only buying so much and having to nip out

Morning all.

I can totally empathise with that feeling of everyone else at the ww trough at parties/celebrations. It's really hard to imagine that everyone else can do this and you can't because you have a problem with the ww. All I can say is that the more sober occasions you do the easier it gets. I made sure that I had some really nice soft drinks, spent quite a lot of money on them (they were still cheaper than wine or beer) and just gritted my teeth through the first few. The reward came the next day when I was feeling great, had a clear head and felt so proud. I am rubbish at delayed gratification, this is another skill I have learned along the way :)

Another way of getting through things was to give myself/volunteer for jobs, especially those that required sobriety. I find that if I have something to focus on the time passes quicker. Also I have learned to bow out when it all gets a bit boring and people start repeating themselves. It's astounding how "Boring" drunk people can be, to leave/go to bed at this point prevents me getting pissed off/picking up.

YMMV - we are all different - I think what I am trying to say is that in order to stay sober at an event - if you don't want to drink - then you need a plan (especially for the first few) and an exit strategy for when you have had enough. And to accept on some occasions that this might not be possible and drinking in that event is not the end of the world. You can choose to be sober the following day

Stay safe all x Have a good day

(Louise who would like to go and have a boozy Sunday lunch and forget about tomorrow (1st day back to School/work after 8 weeks off) but will spend today sewing nametags and getting my pencil case in order.)

Morning my lovely babe friends, I'm going to share something a bit minging with you, while I was mid virus I was passing blood both ends, in vomitt and well the other end, it scared me too death, turns out my meds had burned my stomach. I have advanced crohn's and although it's not life threatening, there are many things that can go wrong for me in later life, I'm 42 with 2 dd's , 2 and 14 (I know, big surprise) anyway if anyone should not be messing up their already endangered body it's me, yet I've taken more chances with it than I can ever make right and I pray for the sake of my tiny daughter that I can repair myself long enough to send her into the world and watch her grow up. Im only sharing this depressing post to tell all of you. WE CANNOT UNDRINK THE DRINKS WE'VE DRANK, we can't undo the crap behaviour we have demonstrated BUT we can let our bodies heal, we can create new memories to push the old ones further away. Worrying its a completely non productive emotion, it changes nothing and will cause you more harm than the wine you've drank. It's not where you start it's where you finish, I'm only sharing this sentiment because I sense the fear in so many of the posts of what the future may bring but more than ever the ODAAT rule applies, I don't know what's ahead for me, or any of us but every day I don't drink is a small victory rather than every day I do a failure. Hope this help xxx

Morning
First - sorry for getting stroppy - it is just I am aware that I don't contribute to the bus and I a, aware how irritating it must be to have someone going on about how many days they have been AF for when you are struggling yourself. Therefore I have already wondered whether it is worth me continuing posting as I am not sure what I give/add to those posters who are struggling.

Now - Tango - I suspect that you have used lots of reasons to drink in the past - birthday, holiday, Saturday, friends over etc. Well you can continue to do that or you can make today the day you break this self destructive habbit.
Noone has ever said I REALLY REGRET NOT DRINKING LAST NIGHT ever!!!!
Also if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got!!!
Baby - sorry you have been feeling so crap
Pink - Good to see you :)
Isinde - You can do this - :).

lonnika now listen here, you will continue posting because people follow your success and admiration, we are on all this bus clutching to the hope that we can be alcohol free (or moderate) someday and you, Guggen, Venus, JWN, Koala are our cover stories (the slimming club analogy was a very good one, whoever said it) without seeing the successes you take away our hope and that you cannot do!!! Sorry to be bossy but I love your posts re sobriety, skin, weight and the wonderful proof that it can be done xx

Loved your post babyjane, not about being so ill obviously, hope your recovering now :)

lonnika please keep posting, you definitely do contribute to the bus. Certainly more than the likes of me who just goes round in circles, never really moving forward. If I recall rightly you wanted to have a dry summer and I remember thinking that would be fantastic, you should be really proud of yourself :)

Anyway day 1 again, don't have much excuse for last night. Still pissed off with dh and lacking motivation. I originally wanted to make sure I did not spend the summer holidays getting up late, not doing much with the dcs, waiting for wine time on an evening (which I did last year). I've spent my days off doing stuff with the dcs, I've not lost any time due to a hangover but now the holidays are nearly over I'm scared I won't be able to moderate as much. It's like I can feel my motivation slipping.

Morning, tis me, Mouse

Silver -You have pretty much stolen said everything I was going to post! Are you inside my head? It's pretty much word for word covered what I was going to post to everyone, great minds? :) xxx

And a massive well done on day 5! That is truly fantastic to read, xxx

Be back in a mo, DH has just delivered brunch :)

Hi Annie - how about giving yourself a diff motivation - I am looking I to starting swimming - to keep myself fit and it will help me to feel good about myself. How about setting a new goal - getting fitter, healthier, thinner or whatever - all good reasons and good motivation not to drink - change your outlook/attitude. I promise you it will work !!

Just retreading my post above. - I meant in the past wondering ow much I was contributing it has been very nice of some people to say such kind words. Anyway I was thinking about it myself and I love hearing from successful babes. Venus, Faire, Guggs etc so have decided I was just being irrational ! Blimey get me started and I can't shut up!

Lonni? Shush!

As Silver said, and I and others have in the past, every single of post on here is helping someone. Whether it's because you're pissed and posting about how shit it's made you feel, or you're pissed and 'love us all' or pissed and couldn't give a shit etc, it all helps. Simply by making each of us not want to be that person, know how they'll wake feeling awful, embarrassed, shameful, sick and wobbly, unable to make anything of their day.......

On the flip side, those who post about how successful they are in kicking the Wine Witch's ass into touch also help in a massive way. Be we want to be like that person. Sober, in control, feeling great and boingy!

What's wrong with not NC everyone? Nothing in my book, it's just something that some of us try to do, some just post how they are and that's absolutely fine too! Whatever helps YOU is all that matters on this Bus, that's the whole point.

Drinking, sober, pissed every day, dry for a few then drinking again, whatever your pattern is or not, you are welcome here. As SIlver also said - no-one has to earn their seat on this Bus.

That's always been the case, EVERYONE is welcome here, and I hope that even those who only ever lurk get to see just how important that is to me, and why I keep the thread going after JWN posted in utter despair that day ......

Her sheer determination to get out of the state she'd gotten into, led to lots of other posters all saying that they knew how she felt, wanted to stop also, she got heaps of support and hand holding and from there on in, the thread grew to what it is today, (since May 31st 2010) for over four years!

I love this place, it helps me to understand why I drank how I did, it helps me to remain sober and in control when I do drink. It helps me when I post to others, for whatever reason, this thread helps me :)

So, thank you lovely Babes for making this thread for EVERYONE, including me :) xxx

Baby claps furiously at the ever wise and articulate
mousexxxx

'Because we want.....' not 'Be we want' - sorry.

Glad to see you back and posting Baby btw, you've been missed! xx

Oh and Silver not SIlver..... clearly 'date night' with MrMouse has removed my ability to type again!

Hi babes just quickly checking in. Only just recovered from driving the bus last night- ta mouse for sharing the drive..
Well it's another day :) and we are halfway through it.

I'm at work today so got distractions aplenty !
Dd 2 back to school tomorrow so busy in preparation tonight. Bloody sewing name tags on :(

Keep on keeping on babes xxxx

Hi Ma and Thurso Hope you're both ok today!! I'm paying the price (and so is Mr Ladame) because friends popped round last night to celebrate some good news (bringing champagne with them) and it became a long boozy evening. Ending up with singing

Inde I would have given anything to be comfortably numb when I came round woke up this morning

Hi Baby hope you're feeling better.

So, day 1/7 (that comes round quick) so today I will not be drinking.

Not sure about the rest of the week though, am going away for a few days. So have a good week everyone - see you when I get back.

What a day got the birthday party underway just opend wine
Not good

Afternoon all, quick post before H gets in from work and I have to get off his pc. Must remember to log myself out

Lonnika I think getting fitter should/will be my goal. It has been for the past ten years but it's not really been conpatable with my drinking. I used to go to the gym on saturday morning with a friend but ended up making the excuse that if I was working on sunday that didn't leave enough time for me to get everything done on saturday. Really the issue was that I was having to forgo drinking on saturday night due to work so I didn't want to give it up on friday night as well so I could go to the gym. God forbid!!!

When I write that I can totally see that I have a problem with drinking; that I was giving wine too much importance in my life. Putting it above other things that I enjoyed. These past few weeks I've really tried to put other things first, even if it was to deliberately curtail my drinking.

I don't know if any other babes find this but I have a problem in that no one in real life thinks I have a problem. Not dm, dh, my dr - because I'm at a normal bm, my weight's not changed in 10 years, I've never even been asked about my alcohol consumption. Even when I was complaining of excessive tiredness, it was like 'you work, you have too young dds, etc', I'm pretty certain it was/is caused by poor sleep due to too much wine And now I'm feeling guilty that I had numerous blood tests and wasted a dr's time when deep down I knew what the problem was.

I think that because I don't really show any outward signs of a drink problem - the kids get to school on time, I hold down a job, pay the bills, orgainise everything - people are dismissive of it and tell me not to be so stupid. And that doesn't help when trying to resist the ww, if anything it makes it so much easier to drink as in that moment I can use their words to reassure myself that it's ok to drink :(

lonnika good to see you back.sorry if I caused any hurt feelings. Just jealous of your swishy hair
Hi to all. This bus is for all of us, all our thoughts, our failures, our hopes,our successes. Just stay on board. Eat opal fruits if you can prise them out of joeys grip, stroke the squid, sleep. Whatever gets you through.

Hey tanggo. Not the end of the world. Tomorrows a new day