The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Stepping Into Christmas With Sobriety On Their Minds.

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, Mouse

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

Even if you think your intake has gone up more today than the last or this week than last, come and join us on Gerald, the amazing, always room for more, fully stocked with glorious treats and donned in his Christmas Decorations, Bus!

We are a supportive thread, 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 smile 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 Addiction Support Teams, or even other support threads, posts like that will be reported if the need arises, so 'Orange Paper supporters' don't waste your time please :)

This Bus is a place for honesty, sanctuary and safety, something that has taken almost 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, it's filled with (non alcoholic or narcotic) delicious, luxury treats and HUGE fluffy quilts, plus anything else you might need to help YOU get through YOUR day a minute, or an hour at a time.

And, if you'd like to see where this all began - This Is The Reason We're All Here, The Original JWN Thread

And This Is Our Previous Thread, With Links To Those Over The Past Few Years

We hope to meet you soon :) x

Hello, tis me, Mouse

You Babes are the best ever. Thank you so much for the wonderful words you have posted to me.

baby - what a lovely post! I hope that I can pass the qualities I have from my mother onto DD, and even Nemo. Even though she was a traditional woman, she wasn't a religious one but had a huge heart and cared about so many people.

Nothing was too much trouble for her, her devotion to my dad, us, her family, and friends was utterly unbreakable. Mum was so strong and raised my sister and I to take no shit, and my brother to respect women.

If I can be half the woman that she was, then I will be happy. :)

Hello to all the newer Babes - I'm sorry to be posting like this, I am so pleased to see new names popping up, people worried about their drinking but at least doing something about it! Well done for taking such a brave step.

I'm - sweetheart, how are things? I mean really? I've seen the police mentioned..... are you safe?

Why - hello you.... I've seen your name in lots of posts too, are you ok?

I'm sorry not to NC everyone but I'd like to think that you know how much your words are supporting me, you are all so important. Thank you lovely Babes xxx

Mouse grief is one of the hardest emotions that we as humans have to deal with. Everything that Nuff and Beaches say. Nuff your post was spot on

Ma it's all ok babe I'm with you in the sidecar Day 2 failed for me. WW fuck right off you are such a bitch

Venus wise words

Beaches hows the snow Brrrrrrrr x

Soc you are so on the right track, stick with it babe. (u know it's not right for you) quite comforting being in the sidecar with Ma

Rural it's so ok 7 days is so good it's so much better

I'm how did today go?

Joey you ok?

Hi to cut it short i have had to shout loudly at the police to get us safe before I started talking to them, they came out last night I had a big panic attack they got Sargent out to asses me as I was a mess he said I was safe here for night but would move us if he needed to, then today they came out same again I refused and was physically sick as they said they would arrest him even if I didn't give a statement so after hours of phone calls they find a refugee away but I had no one to go with me I could not drive the state I was in with five dc to a place I don't know so we agreed to make me safe here for now, iv got intruder and panic alarm marker on my address a police car parked outside my house all last night

So tonight he has been arrested and they think he will be remanded until court
Jeeze what a day I am drained and drinking a little but I will start again soon x
Waving to you all tonight my lovely's

I'm hang tight all good x
did you contact WA? can you find somewhere safe away from him?

I don't feel safe but I probably am now I have things in place
Stomach is in one knot not eaten a thing except my tunes I just can not
I know things can get better though

Mouse lovely its lovely to have you back x hugs honey x

I'm if you're not safe you really need to be. So what's happening? he's been arrested and he's in custody for now. This is your time to put things into place.

Can you leave?

im this is a dreadful situation, there must be somewhere you can go, a friend, a relative, a parent, a shelter???? You should not have to live like this xxx my love to all you brave babes out there xxx

He is being interviews now I had a call from dv officer half hour a ago she was ready to interview him and will call me she said very late tonight to tell me what's happening as she will present it to the cps
I have no family my mates all have kids of their own its mot like I have 1 dc I have 5 so there's 6 of us to put up?

Thanks xxxxxxxxxx

I'm several months ago my brother was in meltdown with alcoholism. We needed help bit were getting nowhere. I put it on here and was overwhelmed with offers,ideas,suggestions from babes up and down the UK. Things I hadn't even thought of. He ended up with the salvation army and is safe, well and still sober six months on. I couldn't have done it without the help from all these strangers. So, whereabouts in the country are you? Let us trawl the network of babes and see if we can help you.

mouse the way you write about your mother makes her sound so much like mine. Strong,feisty,loving. I can't even bear to think about the day she passes and I feel your pain. I want to send you a piece of writing but don't know how to link on the tablet. Maybe someone can find it, its lovely. Its written by a cardinal or archbishop and is that the deceased person is like a ship setting sail and as it disappears over the curve of the horizon and out off sight, those left behind feel sad, bit on the other side of the world those waiting on the other shore send up a shout of joy "she is come!"

I have been drink free all week now (last drink was last friday). But am finding today a real struggle. Have tried to give up smoking as well (so far so good have no smoked since Tuesday evening) but the giving up of 2 crutches in one week is proving to be very tough, particularly this evening. The lack of nicotine is really making me want a drink, but I know that drink makes me crave tobacco and I really don't want to have either.

Perhaps I am putting too much on my plate at the moment by quitting both at the same time. But I feel I need to do this for my body and my soul. Its tough. I feel so foul tempered and irritable today. Its just as well that my toddler is with my parents for a couple of days and don't have anyone around as I am sure I would be the most vile company right now.

Posting just to vent really.

Mouse, Ma I think this the poem?

The Ship, Bishop Brent

A ship sails and I stand watching till she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says She is gone.

Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large now as when I last saw her. Her diminished size and total loss from my sight is in me, not in her.

And just at that moment, when someone at my side says she is gone, there are others who are watching her coming over their horizon and other voices take up a glad shout - There she comes!

That is what dying is. An horizon and just the limit of our sight.

Lift us up O Lord, that we may see further.
Hugs to you Mousie Mousefacexx

I'm - I spent 3 months in a hostel for battered women with DD when she was 2 years old. It hurts to have your life turned upside down, to find that the father to your children is like that.

Sweetheart - I am here for you, I feel your pain, torn between love, and safety. It's not love though, he's trying to control you all of the time. And so far, he's won every time.

Now you have to seek help.

Women's Aid, Shelter and other local places can help you. I don't know where in the UK you are, we'll talk via PM over the next day or so but please, do call Women's Aid as others have suggested.

0808 2000 247 or the website is HERE

YOU CAN DO THIS! You need to be safe, 6 of you can be safe, I promise. The police won't let him near you, they had a car there for a reason. You are under obs - the house at least - for a reason. Please, for your children, make contact with WA. You can tell them as much or as little as you like sweetie, you can talk or ask questions or listen, they'll help you and your children.

School - do they know? Are the DC at school? They too can help you. You need to let them know that DH/P can't take them.

I need to go to bed as I have a hard and emotional day tomorrow....

Please know that I've been there, as have other Babes - you will be safe. Much love to you xxx

Thank you Ma for that - I'll look it up tomorrow. Bloody internet has been off for 2 hours. GRRR!

I have to try and sleep. Love to you all, you've been a kind of support that you will never know, I am sober, whereas in my past life, I'd be posting pissed and emotional.

Night all, thank you Gerald for stopping at my house each day xxx

Thinking of you mouse xx

And I'm big hugs.

Yes, that's it bproud. Thanks.
Bugger I have just tweeted my sister and it has gone out somehow on my work twitter feed not my personal one! How can I delete it?
No good hoping the boss won't see it as he sees everything. Its not awful,but shouldn't be on a work feed.

Thank you BProud :)

You'll have to ask Ma. Those hugs were ace and very needed. DH is worn out, work wise and me wise. I'm so up and down that he doesn't know which way is up when he walks into the room I'm in

I hate being like this and seeing him so tired. He's so very exhausted. Emotionally and physically. I wish I could help him... I wish this would stop. I wish I wasn't so up and down, mean and snappy.... I don't mean it.

I just can't control my head, heart anything. xxx

ma I think it's "parable of immortality" your quoting xxx

He knows you don't mean it mouse,he understands. But yes, he too must be exhausted. Allow him to be.his heart must be breaking to see you in so much physical and emotional pain. Look after each other

Hello,

I'm sorry to have read that so many if you are having such difficult times. I just wanted to check in. Still struggling - but doing better than I was. Tonight my DH made me a g & t though & I had a few more swigs out the g bottle whilst washing up though .. Stressful day! Obviously hate myself now, though. So good to know I'm not alone though. Xxx

Too many 'though' s!! It's the booze...

What a beautiful, beautiful poem.

Im what an emotional 24 hours you have had babe. You have been very strong to deal with the police and it is good news that he is in custody and hopefully will remain there for a while. I can't imagine all the stuff that must be going through your head, I hope there is no guilt towards him. You have done what you needed to do to protect yourself and the children. Now to draw on your strength to look ahead and work out the next step. Sending strength xx

Mouse when you say a hard day tomorrow... Do you mean it is the funeral? My thoughts are with you lovely x

dancer you are a brave lady quitting both drinking and smoking at the same time. In for a penny...! Well done on the af week

Spanna snow has all gone for now, back next week according to the forecast. Hope your house stuff is getting closer to being sorted.

Hi to Ma, rural, soc, Bproud, baby, joey, potato, guggs, Faire and all the other babes far and wide. Take care.

He's out no bail conditions ;(

oh no I'm. why/how did that come about?

I've got my arse firmly back on the bus. Feel totally revolting/depressed/anxious/stupid/lack of energy/nauseous/fat/grumpy etc. after drinking this week.

I fucking hate it, but it's so hard to stop.

Sigh....

More hugs and strength to mouse xxxx

No evidence at all nothing I'm a mess

I just want to close my eyes for a bit and all this would go away