The Brave Babes Battle Bus - A New Year, A New YOU!

[Mouseface]

New Year Resolutions Anyone?

Welcome one and all, I'm Mouse, nice to meet YOU. :)

This is a thread for those who want to give up drink completely, or are maybe thinking about doing controlled drinking, or cutting down slowly, it's all up to you.

You know your limits, you know what is required, it's in YOUR hands.

Whatever your goal, you'll find unconditional support here. Always.

There will be talk of drinking quite often and those who fall off the Bus will post about it, so if that is going to jeopardise your chances of complete sobriety, then maybe the DRY threads would suit you better, as they are complete abstainers, but EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE :)

There are no hard and fast rules, other than the support here is unconditional, it may be in the form of tough love at times, but it's always meant with the very best of intentions.

There are two sayings that we rather like here -

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

For those of you who'd like some history, here is the very first thread and the reason that we're all here now. FIRST THREAD

And here is the lastest thread, which you can scroll back through to see the other JOURNEYS SO FAR

The Bus may be 'mythical', but the support is real, it is honest and it will help you to achieve what it is that you seek, as long as you are honest with us, but mostly, YOURSELF

See you soon. x

Good to see you Im . Hope the new SW keeps to her word and helps you sort out a new place really, really soon. You must be exhausted with it all. Keep strong and keep believing xx

Ma well done, grade A student on all counts today! Thanks for the encouragement too.

hope 16 days! Well done. I don't have any advice about twunt but it does sound like you are working through your feelings (and what is best for the children), maybe this is a transitional stage. Good luck with whatever feels right for you xx

Mouse your dh sounds like a peach! Glad he is taking care of you while you try and process the loss of your mum. X

Obrigada and Anne how are you?

Well, day 20 in the bag. A little weary and 11 more days seems a looooong way. No doubt in the morning I will be much more perky and full of resolve . Night babes.

Was this the kind of soap hairstyle isinde?

Hairy soap

In a fit of insanity, I got up this morning, got a train down to the East Village and had "I took the blows and did it my way " tatooed across my back.

I am in pain and relieved of several hundred dollars.

Perhaps Im losing it a bit.

why bloody awesome you mad, fabulous woman

I'm here still. Just away at another beach. But will be back on board Thursday. You're all doing so well. So impressed and inspired. Xx

Good Morning you lovely, inspirational Brave Babes

How are you all this morning? Soc I hope you had a good Tuesday Babe. When is that next trigger day? Sending you hugs xxx

Ma thank you for your encouragement, it means a lot. Dangley glow in the dark stars etc sound lovely. Nice bedroom feature. Keep going on the diet, running and AF - you can do it, you know you can

Mouse I hope your pain is feeling better today. I'm of the opinion that your dreams with your Mum in are you're Mum coming to see you as you sleep, sounds a bit whacky. I had my Dad standing at the bottom of my bed the other night. Your Mum is all around you and always will be. Keep hold of the memories and cherish them. She wouldn't want you to be miserable and sad. If you need to cry, cry. If you need to scream, scream. I am sending you hugs and strength Has Nemo seen Turbo yet? it's about a snail

Beaches Day 21 for you Babe - YOU GO GIRL keep going babe - you can do it, you've come this far, just think how you'll feel at the end of the month. Your weekend bargains sound fab. Have a great day darling xxx

Baby how are you honey? please check in please

I'm hugs to you babe x Really pleased to hear about new SS, that is good news. Keep going babe, you are so strong

Rural you are doing soooooo well Babe. How are those pregnant sheep? I had visions of you chasing them around the field yesterday

Hope be strong you know what you've got to do, things can't go on as they are . Take one day at a time. Hugs to you darling x

Isinde your hotel sounds rank. Be strong babe. You need to look after yourself. Keep going babe xx

Sorry not to NC you all. Got to go and wash DD1's hair and then school run. Day 20 for me

Soc good to hear you lovely. Aha not another beach, poor you . think of us in the frosty cold. Brrrrrrrr. Take care xxx

Just a quick Hello to Sweet, Dancer, Joey, MrF, Slap, Why, Anne, Sober and all other Brave Babes have a good day

Isinde thank you for making me laugh, will never look at hotel soap in the sa

Isinde thank you for making me laugh, will never look at hotel soap in the same way again! why did you really get a tattoo?
Have a good day today babes

Morning babes, I managed to keep my tears in check until I watched Corrie last night, the floodgates opened and I'm a puffy eyed mess this morning. I think I'm so upset because I still love him, still like him, he's a good man but a selfish one, it might be easier if he did something catastrophic but general long term day to day disappointment erodes the soul... ODAAT is the phrase of the moment in all facets of my life, tomorrow can take care if itself why I keep thinking of you and your courage and im you ladies have set the survival bar high. All you babes inspire me and fill the lonely gaps that wine used to !!!

Morning Babes

No wonder you miss your mum mouse - she sounds like an amazing woman. Do you have regrets because you feel like there's unfinished business - that you didn't thank her properly for all she'd done?

You DID thank her, in every little bit of independence you were able to strike; in every way that showed how she brought you & your sister up to be kind, generous, wonderful people. When she looked at you, and the way you care selfessly for other people, and it was like looking in a mirror of herself.... she knew. She must have been so proud of you!

morning everyone Day2
Still feeling rubbish think its a virus and have no desire to drink so feel a bit of a fraud.
Isinde as a mother of twins who are now fully grown I sometimes get a bit misty eyed when I look at photos of when they were small .When I read your posts however I remember that actually it was bloody hard work and I didnt enjoy all of the stresses which juggling a career a house and parenting involved plus we were skint. It was actually one of the hardest times as a parent so I just wanted to say ease up on yourself as you are doing a brilliant job. I am exhausted after reading about how much you pack into one day
If you decide to jump aboard again give me a shout and I will help haul your pert ass back onto the bus..
Waves to everyone else and I will check in later and speak to you all properly......off to find some paracetamol which today will be my drug of choice

Morning everyone
Day 21 has been bright but frosty so far and I remain AF. I got some of that af cider yesterday so I might try one later.
I am trying to keep up with what is going on for everyone but failing miserably. I hope you all have a good day though.

Had a bit of a despondent day yesterday, but I have given myself a good talking to, and so it's on with day two, the sequel!
I am so sorry that so many people are having such tough times, but you are all being so strong.

I had a real realisation yesterday, that there was no way I can function at work, esp. in the new role in any effective way if I am drinking, and I really, really want to be great at it, not just treading water. So back on the bus, remembering how good that sober sleep is, and how much more easily problem can be solved with a clear head.

The ex twunt (ExP - he'll always be a twunt!) had a go at me for daring to question him, and for telling him what plans ds has for holidays, and telling him AGAIN that if he can't commit to regular visits, or even put irregular ones in the diary, I will carry on and book things I want to do with ds. I can't change him, or his actions, but I can control how I respond to them.

Today I have had my hair cut and coloured (from blonde highlights to warm brunette with red and caramel lowlights). Removed a dead fish from the aquarium, and conducted an autopsy (non-the-wiser, but not feeling hungry now!); Read committee minutes; emailed the Astronomy society I was taking ds to tonight to tell them their website isn't working;and now to get on with some more work before I go to the Aquarium shop to ask what they think killed the fish!

Hi babes day 21 :) Strange morning, had to go for an ECG, as has been getting pain in left side of chest and down left arm. All ok but no explanation...

Sorry to hear so many of us are struggling with not so 'd' p/hs x

How are you now, Annie? That sounds really frightening.

I'm ok sweet, I suppose being told it's just one of those things is better than the alternative! It's happened a few times so I'll keep an eye on it.

It's funny h was like 'oh it's just stress' - probably is - when I agreed yes, what with his gambling, debts, debt collectors, inability to get a real job, bad decisions, general irresponsibility, he got all huffy I can see how living with constant stress could produce physical effects but it's weird how it happens when I'm just lounging around, not actually feeling stressed out.

annie I have suffered with panic attacks and was convinced I was having a heart attack!! Oddly they did not occur when I was actually panicking. The body and mind can show it's own variation of PTSD and the worries you have in your life can bite you on the bum at anytime. My gran used to say "you can walk through a storm and get struck down by a cold wind" sounds like we've got a fine pair (as in menfolk) though I'm sure your boobs are also fine!!! At least I won't be drinking, I get all pathetic when I'm drinking and don't want my emotions to get the better of me, also when I'm hungover I'm depressed, anxious and think I need my dh more than I actually do IFSWIM. Anyway I'm off to slimming world, sure all women who's husband's have left get revenge but getting slim and fabulous, though this project may take some time... X

Golly Molly BBs I just popped onto the thread and find I am five pages behind! How did that happen?

Anyway, got to rush out to take dd to a function, then clean the bathroom, then exercise, then collect dd, then dinner, then dye my hair.

I may be back after that but, if not, someone leave a trail of opal fruit wrappers for me to follow will ya?

How long is you evening, Faire to fit all that in? I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

Baby is right about the separation between the stress and physical symptoms, Annie, when you are in the stressful situation (which sounds like it is most of the time ), your body does the fight or flight thing - keeps you going until it feel safe to go "D'Argh". And your H sounds remarkably like my ex, does he think everything that happens to him is someone else's fault?

You keep doing it for yourself, Baby, you're worth it.

I'm off to an Astronomy Society meeting this evening with ds . . . the things we Mums do eh?

Thanks baby that makes a lot of sense. I was thinkin it is ironic this happened during dry january but on second thoughts I'm not swallowing my feelings down with wine either. For the time being I want to keep a clear head although it's scary how much I dislike h. Everything else aside he just totally irritates me!

X posted with you sweet but yes h always thinks it somebody else's fault!

FFS that nasty titted WW has been whispering in my ear since about 2pm Been feeling a bit nancy all day, nothing in particular

Came home, went into Utility Room and there battling with the closed window, a panic stricken lady blackbird . Her wing was a few feathers short quite alot actually. Wrapped her in a blanket and let her back out into the garden, off she flew Honestly, all the drama, I had to have a lie down (I joke not). Bloody cats

Anne babe sorry that you're going through it. It maybe an idea to keep a note in your diary (calender) of when your chest and arm hurt, how long for etc. Just so you can look back and see, should you go back to the docs.

Nuff manic evening for you tonight good to hear from you x

Sweet astronomy society sounds interesting

Baby hope slimming world went well. Hang in there darling, I don't think there's anything wrong in DDs seeing you cry. It means that you are human

I'm how are you babe?

Beaches what you up to? Day 21

MrF Day 21 is amazing Babe

Rural how's Day 9 going?

Ah Sweet it's not too bad. Ds cooked lasagne for the non-dieting nuffs and dh made a big salad to go with it. I'm just having tuna salad and possibly a small jacket potato a bit later.

Quick whiz round the bathroom, it's clean enough and we have a treadmill in the garage so I just had a run jog brisk walk on that.

Dye is on head at the moment.

Astronomy society sounds good. Maybe we should all take up a class that we wouldn't normally do? Changing habits, getting out of the routine, meeting new people, learning a new skill, keeping off the booze?

spanna I read that as ladybird at first and I thought, blimey, that spanna's very caring

Has the ww buggered off yet?

Still not caught up, sounds like some struggles out there. Hang in babes x

Off to rinse my head...