The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Wading Through Winter Blues Without The Booze!

[Mouseface]

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. And of course all addictions, so if you are taking drugs of any kind, prescription or otherwise, you're very welcome here too!

You know your limits, you know what is required, it's all 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 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 EVER THREAD

And the most recent so you can work your way back through time IS JUST HERE

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

Mouse xxx

Does anyone know if many places sell the non alcohol drinks like pubs or social clubs x

Dry March = Zingy Springy

Even if you live in the frozen north (like me and ma and many others) you can look out and see all the signs of spring. Some of them are blooming obvious, like bright yellow and purple crocus, and some of them are subtle - but just go up close to any tree any look for wee buds. But it's there all around - a little bit of green in the grass and a little warmth in the sunshine (if you can shelter from the wind).

And for us, a little more light in the evening, and little more positive in life, a little more optimistic about the coming summer.

So when better to shake off the hibernation, the dark, the dreary; to celebrate new life and regeneration. Spring says freshness and lightness - elderflower cordial, mint, soda. Spring inspires you to slough off the old skin, to trim your toenails, to deal with underarm hair, to feel clean and fresh and new. Spring invites you to eat delicate, tasty mouthfuls - the herbs and salads, the tomatoes, the bright yellow of the easter-time eggs. Spring encourages you to leave the carbs and sugar (which is all that wine is), and to leap - yes LEAP(!) into spring. Hell, march into March and spring into spring.

Did you get that?

march into March; spring into spring

Together we will feel fab xx

Inspiring post venus .

Just checking in to say I have completed my first working week without wine! (In about 5 years I reckon) I am so pleased with myself, and am intending to be a weekend only wine person again next week! I am looking forward to my glass or two tonight tho:)

I have found elderflower cordial with fizzy water has been an ok evening drink instead:)

I'd like to report that I feel healthier and perkier in the morning, but actually it has made me a knackered insomniac.. hey ho!

medusa snap re knackered insomniac when I am AF.
Venus lovely post

Thinking of you brave babes whatever your Friday brings x

I'm trying to make a decision about our life, I have to safeguard us, SW wants me to do something to keep us safe, we have fled one house and left belongings now I'm considering doing it again and going refuge to half way across the country. I must not think too much but just act

I'm you post on here just a little glimpse of how awful things can be with your ex. But even that small insight make me what to shout "GET YOURSELVES AWAY AND SAFE"

You know I was in an abusive relationship, and when I was there I used many excuses to remain - money, the wrong time, the children, family stability... But all of those were wrong.

If there is chance of a refuge anywhere please, please take it. Look at the black eye, and the scratches on your face. Look at your wonderful kids and protect them from ever seeing you like that again.

You have been strong in the last weeks, and have not been drinking (if I'm reading your tory right). Use each day as a source of strength for you now; get out of your crap situation.

Just GO

And your stuff, well, if it's important it will regenerate itself (and maybe in a better form). For you take important documents and a few photos, and some clothes. For the kids let them take their birth certificates and 2 favourite items, and some clothes. The rest will be memories. Memories are lovely, but they are not as precious as having a new, safe, secure life.

For God's sake, you have a chance, you have a chance for you and your kids. Please take it. There is no decision to be made.

Just commit to the idea Im and you will find a way to sort out the nitty gritty x

Great post Venus

Spring into spring and get some boing!

venus "blooming obvious"

I'm babe do what your gut is telling you, as scary as it might seem. Your safety and your DCs safety are paramount. I think I would take the opportunity and GO as far away as you can. Your DCs will be ok because they will have you with them You are a very strong Babe xxx

venus your right about just going that's what I need to do, it's the moving far away bit that's hard moving to an alian land leaving mates and dc leaving mates too.

spanna my gut is saying 'fuck of now while you can, before all your support fucks off too... Why the hell haven't you gone before now you daft muppit '

F e e l I n g S a d S c a r e d L o n l e y

Day 15

I'm - hugs. You sound like you are getting there with your decision. We are all here for you, always.

GREAT posts Venus.

Soc also on night out tonight, also starting Dry March tomorrow. I need to be sober to stand up for myself at work.

Right, busy day today. Springing up now for day of kids sports, baby birthday parties and killer tabata class, followed by night of dancing. FEEL TOO OLD and want my pyjamas and the TV!

Have a good weekend all x

(waves to all babes and heads off)

Im you can take us with you x

Just don't give any clue on here about where you are. Take the opportunity, take the children and go. You will be so much happier when you can relax knowing you are safe.

Everything else will come together in time. The children will make new friends and so will you x

hope sounds like an active day!

Hi Babes

Used to be on the bus a couple of years ago under a different name, feel like I need to jump aboard again.

Currently I am drinking maybe 5 days out of 7, one third to half a bottle at a time. So not enormous amounts but more than I'd like. And I still can't control my social drinking if I don't go in with a plan. So I can decide to have one glass of wine and then drink coke for the rest of the night, but if I don't have a plan I end up drinking whatever is put in front of me. On the plus side I haven't vomited from drinking in over 18 months and I don't seem to be quite such a vicious drunk any more.

For now, I'm going to try to abstain completely and will review in a few months.

I don't want to tell my family or friends as I would feel like I was setting myself up to fail, so I'm going to make myself accountable on here instead.

So today is day 1. Dry March here I come.

I will try to read the thread and find out how everyone else is doing but for now I just wanted to check in.

And in fact I'm going to pour the rest of that bottle of red on the side down the sink because otherwise I'd be tempted later.

Not sure I've ever poured wine away before!

Is there Internet in refuge ?? if not ill have to wait till I get my new place nuff but whatever your all coming with me for the ride x

Im first of all, DAY 15!!! Amazing. Well done babe and keep going. Your gut is guiding you and I think you want to go, despite the scariness of it all. If this is your chance to safeguard a future without dv for you and the children, then I think I would do it. We will always be here for you, supporting you (think the internet is pretty likely or if not macdonalds have free wifi here so there will be ways) and the new alien place will start to become more familiar after a bit of time. Sending you lots of strength and belief in yourself xxx

Welcome penguin, great day to jump onboard as there are a few of us doing dry March and we can all support each other.

Sun is shining here but the snow is hiding all signs of Spring. Still I think I may plant some seeds today in the hope that in 6-8 weeks things may be warmer!

Hope you are not disappearing under a mound of ebay packages and packing boxes Spanna, busy week for you babe x

joey are you doing dry March? How is the diet?

Hope all brave babes are having a good day xx

Im Hoping you go for it. As the wise venus said 'JUST GO'. You are on day 15 AWESOME !! You can do this. Hugs xx

Hi babes, I'm sorry I haven't been around much, crohn's bad, toddler bad, teenager bad, finances bad,drinking bad you get the picture. I feel inflated and deflated at the se time (tummy inflated with wine and spirit deflated) as soon as I get a taste for wine, I'm genuinely astonished and baffled at how quickly I revert to old habits despite knowing, seeing and feeling the benefits of sobriety, when will I ever learn, I'm very cross with myself but being stuck in with tummy issues and in pain just send me longing for A TREAT and painkiller and bingo, that scraggy wine witch is sitting on my couch making promises I want to believe!!!anyway sorry for the waffle, ..why I'm astonished at your legal system and gutted for you but your wisdom and grace shine through as always. imyou are doing brilliantly, I've been reading back and your strength and determination grows all the time. To all babes, I'm proud to be part of this powerhouse of wonderful women xxxc

Just checking in

You ok ma x

Where should I go? Iv never been anywhere
Stick a pin in a map please? Beaches will you ?

Have you got a choice of anywhere? If I could choose I would look for coast, there is something so reassuring and stabilizing about being near the sea. Xx

I love the sea always wanted to live close to it, I'm not sure yet how it all works but think I need to pick an area I wish to move to then have to wait for availability I think I'm waiting for Monday now for my wa lady

baby stay with us lovely (hugs) missed your post before x