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

joey your post made me smile. Sincerely hope you are not any of 4

joey I love the try hard poos

Isinde wankbadgers come in many forms. It's definitely not on that you do all the earning and all the housework. Any joy when you try to talk it over with her?

Why you are amazing, the support and compassion you give are priceless. Did you know that you spread comfort and happiness with your few words of kindness? Your son is so lucky to have you x

Fairenuff , demented et all, I spoke with my friend. Her db said he only drank a glass or so a night. She did not say she had found the bottles and was keeping tabs. He's obviously in denial. Perhaps though he might think about his drinking. I guess he is lonely and it had become a habit. Thank you for your help. Keep up your battle with the demon!!

good evening - a sober one for me :). Hope you all are well :)

Ma she probably has a nanny, cleaner, gardener and a PA Not overthinking at all. I hope conference didn't drag on too much.

I'm mammoth name call last night Thank you it helps as a reminder of all the Brave Babes on this lovely bus

I've currently got my head prized up my arse, feeling Meh. Had a good day all in all but feel really tired, still doing the Bing Bong 4am and then finding it hard to get back to sleep. Which then means I'm knackered and in bed asleep at 10pm.

I've been looking at flats since Monday. Looked at a lush flat today but (as it appears with everything nice/mediocre) was out of my price range by 15-20K, so I put in a cheeky offer (£5k) over what I can really afford and now I wait....

Why such good news that life is going in the right direction, you are an inspiration to us all

Beaches Babe how's Day 29? (yes I said 29!!!!!!!!!) Being one day behind you for this passed (nearly) month has really helped me, more than you'll ever know, thank you

holly if you trawl back through the threads to about May time last year, you will read the saga of my brother and how his alcohol addiction very nearly killed him.
If it is ringing bells, then maybe show it to your friend?
Richard was on 3 bottles a day and dying when the Salvation Army stepped in and saved his life.

Morning brave babes just checking in

Day five today
spanna I enjoy listing the names reminds me how not lonely I am

Stressed here carnt get worse ATM back at court Friday, and SW is struggling to find contact arrangements I refuse to take on her stress I have been more than flexible but I'm not putting myself in an unsafe place, he blacked both my eyes FFS I don't think that's unreasonable.
I wanted to drink all the above 'away' last night if I'd had money I may well have done, its pay day today so I need to stay with it x

Thanks Dementedma. I hope your db is doing well.

Im day 5 is FANTASTIC, don't let that old saggy, wrinkly, spaniel eared, witchy bitch tempt you today. With court tomorrow, it would be so much better to keep fresh. Perhaps have one tomorrow, but fight tonight, you can do love, you have already decided 4 days in row not to.

holly I have been following you concerns, it does sound like your friends brother is using the wine as a crutch. It is lovely that you are gathering information to try and help him.

Why 120 days of fighting for your life back, against some horrendous challenges. Incredible. Absolutely incredible. May tomorrow bring you the reward you deserve. Thinking of you x

Hi lonnika

isinde sending some energy and strength your way, you seem to have so many demands on you. Is it possible to 'book' yourself a day off soon and find yourself an out of season beach to walk on?

Spanna It really does help knowing other babes are fighting with you doesn't it? You have driven me on lots of times without realizing it. It was YOU that made the decision for 29 days in a row though!!!! Check that number out - is that a liver I hear celebrating?? . I will keep my fingers crossed that you get lucky with this flat too.

TWO more nights of January left for anyone that is interested

Waves to joey, rural, soc, Ma, faire, mouse, sweet, slap, Anne and anyone that may be riding on the bus today XX

Morning babes

I have found the best reason to stay sober. Work is shit at the moment- just check the 'staffroom' thread to get a true impression of the state of teaching. One of the reasons I don't post often is that I am doing paperwork until stupid o'clock and I only work part time.

So,I am having a horrible time and some members of management were truly vile to me. If this had happened 18mths ago I would be a crying,shaking wreak.But even while they were having a go,I just kept thinking : oh really? I've faced worst than this,you're talking bullshit and you know it. i was just very calm which they weren't expecting. Resignation letter is written and will live in my bag. Already thinking through other options.

Things like: this too will pass,Don't make a catastrophe out of this and just a new sense of self respect KNOWING that they don't really have any power over me.That has come with not picking up a drink- I thought about it but knew that dealing with stress plus a raging hangover wouldn't do any good.

To be fair,I also thought : Oh grow up! and jog on and worse.

I'm so pleased to see babes growing and changing on this board. Even taking a little bit of control back from the WW has consequences elsewhere.

why I am made up for you babe
baby I hope you get what you want,sounds like a very calm sober decision to me.

Hope all you babes are enjoying today.I'm feeling quite fiesty now,anyone want me to storm round and give their boss/work collegues/ partner a piece of my mind? I am very scary at 5'2 in my DM's

P.S mouse can you come and say hello?

total fail last night. Back on the bus today tho DAY 1 again. D'argh.
Keep kicking that WW bitch babes.
Love to all.
Catch you later

Day 1 is fine rural It's not easy but you're going for it. Well done.

I really feel like a drink today ;( stress stress stress

Im keep busy, keep fighting the bitch, I lost last night and feel so shite today. Wish I could go back 24hours . Fighting her today tho, determined not to let her win

Rural keep your boxing gloves on Babe, you can do it

I'm don't do it - you will feel so much more clear headed for tomorrow and you'll feel chuffed with yourself - keep going babe, have a bath, hot choc and get into bed early. Good luck for tomorrow, keep your whits about you. Sending you strength and many hugs xxx

Beaches my offer was refused as I thought would happen. Went back to a flat today, through a different agent and I've made an offer within my budget let's see if he'll accept it. Have to say the bathroom needs a health warning and nuclear outfit before you enter. All 'sortable' though. Will have to stay with friends whilst it's replaced and the flat washed down and repainted, but hey, it can all be done. Keeping everything crossed.
Have to say I think I may have to drink some fizz on Saturday then I think I'll stop again for the month. Really not sure about the first drink and dreading the hangover feeling. Maybe that will make me realise that booze really isn't for me. My liver must love me right now

Hello Baby, Mouse, Hope, Isinde, Nuff, Why, Angry, Slap (yoooohooo), Anne, Guggs, Soc, Ma, Sweet, Joey and all other Brave Babes I hope you're all ok xxxx

spanna good luck house hunting. Enjoy the fizz and make your decision then. I know that sounds like an odd thing to say on a sobriety thread but drinking/ not drinking is your decision to make. well done on what you have achieved

I'mI second the hot choc /early night- for tonight. Think about tomorrow when you get there.

rural you will sleep better is you af tonight- how are you doing?

Thanks Guggs

Evening Babes sounds like loads of people are having a rough time at the moment. Well done if you are staying sober/cutting down and coping with social services/ idiot managers / wankbadgeresses at the same time

I need some advice from clever Babes ! We're going out tomorrow, meal, party and staying in a hotel. Actually not only have I already decided not to drink at the party, I didn't even consider 'rewarding' myself by having something from the mini-bar back in the room. Didn't even occur to me

But, looking back to the last time we went, I begin to understand why I drink on these occasions. I hated it, my feet hurt, I was bored, didn't know anyone... and I can't understand what everyone is saying. Alcohol doesn't solve any of this, but it numbs it a little.

So... I have wee cushions to stick under my feet. I'll ask DH to keep reminding me who everyone is. But the biggest problem is that I can't hear what people are saying. I'm not deaf, in fact after tests they said I had extra sensitive hearing - and in a busy environment can't tune out background noise.

I guess being drink is a good excuse for looking bemused, shouting 'pardon?!' and being unable to follow the conversation... ?

It sounds really silly, but I just remember feeling bored and everything was so busy and noisy. I don't want to make things awkward for DH in front of his colleagues (eg. can we go and sit in a quiet corner)

So... how do I stay smiling for 5 hours without drinking???

joey I think you need a get out clause. Join in for 1 1/2 hours. then complain about a headache / vague mention of 'women's problems' that kind of thing.

Then exit to hotel room with book /hot bath/ t.v - try not to grin as you escape!

Seriously,I always exit early when it gets too much or when everyone else is at the fall about at any old crap stage. Hope you have a fab evening,whatever you decide.

joey totally agree with guggs if you are able to make an early exit go for it. TBH a big trigger for me is being stuck in the sort of situation you describe. Really empathise and sympathise. If I can escape early I do, if not I usually get hammered go back to old ways

spanna fingers crossed re the flat. The redecorating etc will keep you busy. Sure you can get it sorted and just how you want it in time.
guggs I am still AF today. WW down to a whisper. Should make day 1 yet again!

I second the advice from guggs, as long as you are there at the start, lots of people won't notice if you slip away. You can also amuse yourself by watching other people drink and become loud, silly and boring.

Seriously though, bear in mind that you are unlikely to be the only one feeling a bit uncomfortable and 'at a loss'. Look around the room, there may be another person happy to sit quietly in a corner with you and have a chat. You never know, you might even be their lifeline.

alias try and focus on how amazing you will feel the next morning. I know when I've gone out and not drunk I wake up the next day feeling so proud of myself. I know it's hard standing around for 5 hours pretending it's great. Maybe it will be great. I have the same problem with hearing and do exactly the same thing ie get pissed. I can't hear anything in a crowd which makes conversation very hard so I sympathize. It's only 5 hours.....just get into the sober groove and enjoy the food and soft drinks. Good luck.

babes Day 9 for me today. It's Friday, but I've got a 6pm work appointment and will stock up on soft drinks for after and also eat a truck load which helps with the cravings.

I won't be drinking today.

Thanks everyone for reading my loooooong post and replying! You Babes are so great

I will report back!