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

Morning babes, thank you to Soc and Rural for the encouraging words. . I am on shiny day 2!

Your poor ewes rural, they must be struggling in all this weather. I have seen on the news how bad it is in some places. Good luck with the controlled drinking, two bottles of wine a week seems very reasonable on the purse and liver! Whispers

Soc is that 2 weeks done? Impressive!

Hey to Im, I have seen you posting, how are things with you honey?

Isinde hope you met your deadline and can claim a moment of respite x

hope and anne am I the only one doing stomach crunches here??!!

obrigada good to see you

Although I do enjoy having a drink, I now equally (perhaps more) love not drinking. Waking up after not drinking is the BEST start to the day. I think my mindset is changing a bit, instead of feeling like I am denying myself something, I am just choosing something different. When I choose to drink I have to face the shitty consequences and when I choose not to I can relish the sleep and the calm. As I feel less like I am denying myself a pleasure I consequently feel less needy of it IYSWIM. Well, i think it is a shift in attitude - we will see.

Spanna sweetheart, hope you are holding up. Sending lots of love xx

Waves to all other babes xx

beaches oooh pigs. Lovely . Have kept pigs previously and really loved raising little piglets. Keep us informed.xx

I will rural, the piglets were born last week but we need to rig up a home for them and a safe area. Have never done anything remotely similar but think we could make it work here and enjoy them. X

Awwwwww, that is so cute, little piglets all snuggled up and suckling on their mother's milk, you have to call one of them Babe, and one Wilbur! :D

@ Mouse

beaches I think you might be! I've been to the gym twice but the diet hasn't happened...had two glasses of wine for end of dry january (which were foul) and have eaten badly since. Going out for wedding anniversary on Saturday so realistically I won't be starting the diet till Sunday

Actually Anne my diet is not all that (made a chocolate refridgerator cake which I can't resist) but I am exercising so still hoping for miracles! So you didn't enjoy the wine? That is good I would have thought . Happy anniversary too! Hope you enjoy your night out on Saturday.

Isinde are you ok?
do you need a place by the seaside?
xxx

Another AF day
Goodnight all xx

Lawyers are ignoring Social Services who have said that my case should be dismissed and wrapped up. They haven't even READ the report SS have sent. Court on Friday is going to hard.

I hope I can hold my tongue. Because at the conference today where SS told me that they have issued a decision without a trial AND THAT political pressure due to the death of child in the city last month, meant that the lawyers wanted convictions and wouldn't even read the report they themselves base their case on) lead to me banging my fist on the table and screaming that every second without my son was like pouring boiling water on my heart and I didn't have time for political games or general incompetence, and burst into tears before vomiting in the hallway.

The relaxation tapes clearly aren't working.
Court on Friday will be a humiliating affair, where reports on my progress and on what SS have observed of my interaction with my son will be ignored. Their own lawyers have over ruled the recommendation of their workers. I mean, WTAF?

I have to be brave and hold it together. More time away from my son while a group of mid-20s junior male lawyers cut their teeth dicking around with my life and over-ruling the women at SS.

Cometh the hour, cometh the fucking woman.

Why you will be brave. You are brave. We will all be there with you spirit (and with Spirit) standing shoulder to shoulder. Just keep it together until you are out of ear shot.

Could you get a friend lined up ready to take you somewhere you can scream straight after the hearing? They are all idiots, none of them seem to know what they are doing but there is still a very good chance that they will rule in your favour.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst, that's all you can do right now x

Oh why how awful. We will all be there for you,as faire says.
I think you are right that you need to stay calm though I'm sure you will feel like kicking a few bums. I think through the serenity prayer over and over again when it all gets too hard. I'm not much of a believer but it keeps my mind occupied when I need to stay calm.

You are being treated in an appalling way. I hope it helps a little that we are all gunning for you.It will pass. Maybe join a kickboxing class and pretend the kick bags are the legal system?

I'm just checking in to say thank you to everyone for keeping me sober. It's a real one day at a time point in my life. I've handed in my notice and the boss hasn't even responded. A kind soul might believe that she just hasn't got round to opening the envelope I think it's a classic sign of a bully.

My next resignation letter will be headed her way shortly. It will be a photocopy of my arse.

Why I want to add my support and I completely agree with Faire's words. I am so sorry that they seem to be using your case as an opportunity to make amends for some poor child who died. Surely your case is different enough to make this a ludicrous comparison. You have stood tall, faced isolation and and proved your commitment and sincerity, day after day, week after week and more. It is so unjust to judge you on anything other than that. I really hope they see some sense and listen to what the SS workers are saying. Hoping for you xxx

Guggs well done for handing in your notice, it's a big step. Sorry your boss has not reacted at all, seems very unprofessional and rude - maybe the arse shot will stir up some emotion!! I hope this is the the beginning of a new and more rewarding path for you. Stay away for the wine, you don't need it, you rock being sober!!

Spanna hug to you babe x

Love to all

Hi babes, just checking in, dh is working away and I'm so busy with the girls, I haven't had a minute but your all in my thoughts every day, I haven't read back yet but will do later bit for now can I give a special squishy hug to guggen and the amazing why stay strong and I admire and respect you both immensely xxxx be back later xx

Evening, tis me, Mouse

I'm just about to take the boy to bed and them I'll be back, Why - I need to read back and then I can post to you...... it seems as if things have shifted from where they were?

I'm so sorry if that's the case, let me catch up and then comment. I'm not saying I'm an expert but I may be able to give you some kind words to help to give you some comfort. xxx

You have got it in you why to get throght this no one needs to tell you to stay strong you are incredable just that x

Hello mouse hope your boy sleeps peacefully for you tonight

Hi beaches iv not fully read back but wanted to say hello

To you too spanna x

Why - hello gorgeously courageous lady you... you have come so far and kicked butt so hard too. You have given every single part of your being to fight for your baby, your son, YOUR SON!

You've got so far... this all seems like delaying tactics to me. You are a bloody star sweetie, whatever happens from here on in, like Faire says, you need to get some help, someone to go with you, be with you and keep your head level. As much as you want to SCREAM SO LOUD, you can't and that is so hard...... xxx

You need to write your thoughts down and the events that happen. Each and every day, every time you go to a meeting etc....

I wish I could wave a magic wand and help you just to 'BE'.

Be a family, be safe, be how you used to be without the danger. I hate seeing your posts like the one above, so sad and so negative.

It's as if the world is conspiring against you and that is utterly heartbreaking.

How close are you to having your gorgeous boy back in your arms, for good, for ever and without outside intervention?

I want to slap those who can't see how many bloody hoops you've jumped through, how many tears you've shed, how many sleepless nights you have had, snuggled in bed, holding one of your son's toys so that you felt close to him.....

I hope with all of my heart that you are soon reunited for good. For always. For ever.

Much love to you xxx

Hello I'm - how are things with you? How are things behind closed doors?

I am aways to bed after a long and sad day but please post an update and I'll come back to you when I can xxx

why will be thinking of you today. So bl88dy angry for you. Everything crossed for a good outcome. You are amazing. Hugs xx
Ds's school closed today due to floods. Makes for a stressful day, puberty approaching and he could test the patience of a saint.
Big wave to all on the bus and lurking.xx
Catch you later babes xx

Hey lovely babes

Thank you for being here

why I have everything possible crossed for you today and I ahve every faith that you will come out of this with your family back. It will happen. I think it's been a breach of your human rights to deny you access to your son.

rural hope it goes ok today
Hi mouse and I'm
baby and beaches thank you soo much. I am determined that this situation will not make me cry, I am soooo thankful for some kind words. I'm a bit needy right now! I'm sober but it's a struggle.Hope you have a lovely day. x

Hello Im . Hope you are doing ok babe, hugs to you. Xx

Guggs you are doing great, I admire your ability to say when things are hard and not just sink into a bottle. Keep going, things will feel better soon xx

Why thinking of you today xxx

Spanna you are in my thoughts too, take care babe xx

hope you are keeping a low profile, probably too busy working out to check in

Hi to sweet, rural, joey, obrigada, isinde, soc, faire, mouse, it's, slap, Ma, Anne, baby, thurso, mrf and all other lovely babes.

Court was weird. Legal horse trading. I had to make a non-admittance admittance of something wrong, but nothing specific. It goes on a searchable court record of me forever. So I guess my Teach for America scholarship is worth crap now. The judge said he had read reports that were glowing from all different agencies. He granted me a hearing next week where basically we decide when DS and me and DH can be reunited. Most interesting, according to my lawyer, he ordered a review of the entire case. "A full review of this case and removal order is now in place and it will be heard in my court and I will preside it".
I guess the mishandling of this case will come back to haunt some people. If I could contribute something to best policy practice for other families, then I guess this will not have been a total disaster.

Its true: the darkest hour is just before dawn. Remember that babes. Do hold on for just one more day.

why a hearing next week? Oh, I wish they would stop dicking about and just reunite you all. Bit you are so nearly nearly there.
Hang on

Why I'm so glad you got a judge with some sense. But a non-admittance admittance of something wrong makes no sense at all

Anyway, is this the final stretch? Fingers crossed for you, lovely x

why If its anything like UK the cogs of the legal system move as fast I type Sounds like this is deffo the dark before dawn tho and you are finally going to get your life, baby, DH and everything back next week. Roll on next week. whoo hoo