The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Kicking The *Wine Witch* Into Touch, Because Enough Is Enough!

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, Mouse :)

This is a thread for those who are worried about their drinking habits towards alcohol, or/and drugs.

Even if you think that you are drinking more tonight than last night or this week than last, come and have a chat, find a seat, we don't bite!

We are a supportive Bus, full of very different posters, from various backgrounds. Some of us drink in moderation, allowing ourselves the odd glass or two as a treat, or just because we're in control of our drinking for that day.

One Day At A Time.

We have those who abstain completely, and those who wake every day to Day 1 and hope with all of their hearts that they can, and will, make it to Day 2.

If you've followed our journey to date, you'll know who most of us are by now :) and we kind of have two 'sayings', that sum up who we are -

1. • The Vulnerable Need Our Support, Not Our Judgement
2. • Alcohol Fosters Inertia

That said, we will not have any bashing of support groups, such as AA or Community Support Teams or even your own GP.

This Bus is a place for honesty, sanctuary and safety, something that has taken four years for a number of very special, very lovely, very honest and caring Babes to establish.

So, come find a seat, grab something warm from the supply cupboard at the back of the Bus as it's going to be cold tonight! Brrrr!

And, if you'd like to read back over some of our history, HERE IS THE LAST THREAD

And, HERE IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

We hope to meet you soon :) xxx

So after thinking long and hard (ma! put DOWN that squid!)

I've decided to aim for drinking only twice a week. I mean, not 'aim for' but actually DO it. I know what usually happens is... plan to drink Friday & Sunday. Then make arrangements to go to see in-laws on Friday, so I have 'my Friday drink' on Thursday instead. But then - as a reward for staying sober at in-laws - I have another drink on Saturday.

So by then I've had something Thursday, Saturday & Sunday and by Monday I'm heading down a slipperly slope that's been greased with slipperly stuff.

So this week, have made a very determined effort to be AF (and every time I struggle, that reminds me of why I have to do it)

Some rules are harder to stick by than others. Not drinking at in-laws was tough at first, but now (because it's just a straightforward 'No thanks') it's been okay. But the once/twice/thrice a week thing is harder because it seems to be flexible. But hopefully with more practice it will get easier.

a slipperly slope that's been greased with slipperly stuff

joey it sounds like you are feeling stronger now that the Friday night have been conquered and your plan looks pretty good to me.

Now I really must get on with something constructive xxx

Hi beaches yeah count me in too please. I drank last night as it was one of my "allowed" alcohol days I didn't like it one bit! Think I still view it as my safety blanket stupid really I just need that last little push to go from where I am now to packing it altogether! On a positive note I have got a four night holiday at the premier inn in carlisle between xmas and new year for 116 quid for all four of us - bargain! Other bit of good news is that dp and myself are setting up a catering business we had ourenvironmental health inspection yesterday and were. Awarded five stars. Love to all babes but especially to those who are struggling xxx

beaches plague, oh that's a thought!

Joey - that slippery stuff is IsinDe's snot She's germ infested so stay away from that end of the Bus!!

Congrats on the five stars 'Chopin"

mouse thanks for the warning, although my end of the Bus is pretty grim and germy as well..

Congratulations on your five stars Mr and Mrs chopin! What an excellent start to your new business

Backs away from slime, fleas and germs and runs for the hills!

I need to sit in the special isolation part of the bus with is Isinde and I might blag some if her Kleenex, lemsips. Full week of the cold has morphed into endless hacking cough. On upside - I am off work already due to a big op in Sept do have been in bed all day (so I felt for Isinde struggling on at her desk). Also feeling this yuk largely removes any desire for a drink.

Beaches - very inspired by your dry November and Mouse's thoughts. Hate the ipad as I can't scroll to name check everyone.

Promise not to infect you all with grot if I can join the bus thus evening.

Meetme - waves - I think we may have joined around the same time. I can attempt to sneeze on the WW if she tries to knock post-college.

Guggenheim - I don't have any AA experience (yet ) but remember from year back being at Al-ateen sometimes group dynamics can be tricky to take. I think Mouses advice to take what you need is very sound. Don't through the baby out with the bath water.

To those on day1 Rural & Soc and anyone lee lets make this a cosy warm Thursday on this bus that has been so welcoming to me.

Sorry for bitty post but hello to all.

Count me in for the ww bashing this evening

And I'm in the 'halfway' club too.

Chopin congratulations on the 5 stars, great news!

Joey maybe you could do Thursdays and Saturdays?

Sorry to hear so many babes are poorly but eeew Mouse, that slippery snot slope, really, some things should just be thought and not said (and definitely not written)

Well looks like there are a lot of WW bashing non drinkers tonight.
I am holding out so far on day 1, WW is chattering but with the help of the non drinking buddies should be a breeze to see the bitch off .
ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL or something like that.
isinde haggis joey keep your snot and germs away from me.
Seriously hope you all feel better soon
mouse yesterdays trigger in a nutshell was relatives not really my relatives iyswim arriving unexpectedly for dinner and to stay the night.
Without the fact it meant I had to go out and buy food to cook for said dinner and wine and was losing my spare room bolthole just knew as soon as they walked in I was going to pick up . Need to learn to deal with this sort of thing without reaching for the bottle.
Control freak calling be back later babesxx

Good evening all, tis me, Mouse

Chopin - HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH :) That is such lovely news to read. You certainly sound like you are getting to grips with 'the why am I bothering with this drinking' lark....

I find that if I've not had any wine for a long time and then do, the first few sips are vile and I wonder why I bothered but it doesn't ever stop me, or you. Why is that?

Joey - I wonder if it's like giving birth? Or something extremely traumatic? You block out the negative/painful/harmful stuff and think you're having a good time, enjoying the taste, forcing it down to numb your taste buds almost, so you can have the next..... we've all done it!

Why do we keep doing it?

Soc - Love it/hate it/love it/want it/love it/want it/ have it/hate it/need it/have it/have it/hate self........ So very true.

It's a nasty, cyclical, twisted, mischievous habit that lies, deceives you and hurts you, day in and day out, minute by minute..... and yet the way it's advertised, sold, like any other everyday item you have in your house, just like your wonderfully smooth Bisto gravy that you serve with a Sunday roast....

And for the most part, it is, for the most part people can have a bottle of white in the fridge and not touch it, for weeks, be given a bottle of alcohol in a raffle as a winning prize, and Not. Drink. It. Not?

How? Why? What's wrong with us, me or you? (or was wrong with those who have been sober for a long time now)

Is it the chemicals? Is it the habit? Is it the emotional crutch? Is it the desire to turn the world off, blackout, numb our feelings, turn off the lights? Is it the need to be a 'normal' drinker? To appear 'normal', to look like the rest of the world, or at least our idea of what they look like?

What is the real 'normal' after all?

All sickly babes must sit together and share germs, rest of us huddle down at the front.
mouse what goodies did you buy?

Well it is the dreaded day 3 and have fallen at this bloody hurdle yet again. No wine in the house so indulging in some home made blackberry vodka.
Its ok, won't over do it.

Dh has told ds that Christmas this year won't be as good as previous years! WTAF? Who says that to a child?

evening babes,

haggis think it was haggis? Yes- that is exactly the right phrase- throwing the baby out with the baths water. I'm glad I've decided to keep going because there is a big voice in my head saying: " be nice to have a drink at christmas, just the one,you've been sober for ages...." Anyway, I know where that one is going!

I have a much needed rest today and am in possession of jeans which fit,the holy grail for short chicks,honestly.

mouse thank you again. wonders what lovely things are in mouse's bag? any coffee? chocolate?

ma blackberry voddy sounds very hard to resist.Maybe suggest dh has some quick before he says anything else out loud.
rural GOOD! stick with that day 1,keep going.
'Lo there faire x
Ill babes I really hope you are all better soon.But erm...keep the snot to the isolation ward please.Fleas? Nooooooo!
Lots of luff to beaches& chopin &obrigada and joey- stay strong babes.

Where is I'm? how are you doing lovely?

In my new resolution of 'will keep emotionally sane' I have switched over from radio 4 from a discussion about a poor little baby being killed FFS to radio 2. I like the music but they are discussing dogs ANAL GLANDS!! YUK!

I think beaches was right, I have the plague

Feel fine, except if I move my head my neck hurts! It's so weird, I've never had swollen glands before.

When I sit down, my neck wobbles (layers of fat?!) And sets off the ache - how bizarre.

ma your DH is a twat. That is all.

Dh is a twat.
His current mental health issue is around Christmas and money - completely unnecessarily -and he is projecting this onto ds. He always has to be obsessing about something - usually whoever is the latest suspect that I am sleeping with - and Christmas seems to be the favourite at the moment. I am used to the other shit, and to be fair, he has actually been diagnosed with delusion s of paranoia so it isn't totally his fault, but this one is pissing me off. Ds has 9 presents already worth over £200 - that is not crap by anyone's standards!

Re. The sick babes. Where is Sergeant Major Nuff to coral the infected ones into the quarantine zone?

guggs anal glands are brilliant! You know that satisfaction you get from squeezing a spot? Well, doing the dog's glands is like that - but better because you're not left with an ugly blotch on your face. It's extremely satisfying!

Oh man. Pissed off with myself for not being more on the ball. WW got me on day 1, friggin day 1! After last night's performance had most of a bottle in the fridge and got stuck in while cooking dinner. [shame]
Just wanted to shout out to all of you winning that battle tonight. You're amazing women.
Starting again tomorrow.

Yep, start again tomorrow Mama, we will be here, as always

joey - what? You squeeze anal glands on dogs?

This Sergeant Major is staying as far away as possible from you infected lot!

Morning Babes
Just a quick one as I'm rushing hangover free (awesome) to get kids and myself sorted.
But Friday is looking fabulous.
Hang in there.
Day 2 and I'm NOT drinking today.
I'll be back with tissues and gas masks later.
xxxx

nuff that is gross dereliction of duty!
Get this bus organised before silver drops in and has a hissy fit about the state of Gerald.
I mean, look at the place! Sweet papers and snotty tissues everywhere, left over food, hot chocolate mugs, blankets, tubs of Vicks....this bus is a veritable shit hole.
How can we get out the box of Christmas decorations when we are in such a state?

Ok ma, I've been down army surplus and got hold of these big, metal contraptions for clearing up. They look a bit like Henry Hoover crossed with Dusty Bin. Found them in some old blue telephone box at the back.

Anyway, just fitted some new batteries so we should be good to go. Wait, where's the on button? Ah, yeah, here it is, ok. So...

Aaaargh, aaaaaaaaaargh, what's happenin'

FUMIGATE, FUMIGATE, FUMIGATE

FUMIGATE, FUMIGATE, FUMIGATE

?$*%)£)%)$!£?£>£("@?

Ummmm, nuff you appear to have vapourised some of the babes.

Oh, hi ma, I'm just about to head off down to army surplus, do you want anything while I'm there. I've heard they've got these great cleaning machines...

Ma - for a moment there I thought you could SEE right onto my beside table (looks guiltily at sweet wrappers, snotty tissues, empty mugs).

Reminds me of watching Strictly a few weeks ago and DD2 - 4- gasped when Brucie said "and welcome children!" She really thought he could see her, bless.

Alias - I am grossed out by the anal glands thing. Euch. But hope you are feeling better soon.