The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Springing Into Spring Like Super Spingy Springs On A Springy Day!

[Mouseface]

Hello everyone, I'm Mouse :)

Welcome to the Bus, Gerald. Of course it's an imaginary Bus, and we're all aware of that, but we've been on this Bus for a bloomin' long time now so this place kinda feels like home.

See, the thing is, we're a mix of drinkers, non drinkers, total abstainers, and also posters that are or have been, somewhere in between, around the block and back again!

There are no hard and fast rules here, just No judging, No bitching about others and most certainly No expectations of YOURSELF.

No-one can say what will or will not happen whilst you're posting here. You just have to take the ride, One Day At A Time.

There are two sayings that we have painted down either side of the Bus :-

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

You've started to read this thread for a reason, and you'll either carry on and maybe Name Change (or not) and post, walk away, or realise that this is all about YOU, cry for a bit, and then come and take a seat :)

For those who would like a bit of our almost 4 year history, have a read of THIS TRULY INSPIRING THREAD

- AND THIS IS OUR PREVIOUS THREAD TO THIS ONE

We're not a quiche or a clicky group, four years is a long time and longer when you're pissed for some of it, so whilst the threads may look 'clicky', I can promise you, it's just that we all 'know' one another because we've been here for a bit but you'll soon get to know us all, who loves what (CHEEEEEEEESE), but we were all 'new posters' at one time, weren't we? :)

Sorry just read some more - big hugs Joey xxxxxxxxx
4 days Beaches - great :)

I'm doped up on Kalms and no longer care about work still don't know what to do, but will put off decision making til tomorrow. Sometimes it helps to just stop the merry go round in your head for a bit, and other possibilities appear, when you manage to create space for them. That's probably what alcohol does - stop the merry go round. Although not the creating alternatives part....so I guess that's an improvement

Well done 70 your sounding fab-u-lus and alias your right sometimes we need to take a step back to step forward ... You sound "Kalmer", looking hope your not locked up in a cell somewhere for murdering your boss, it's a rather drastic action commit murder for a free detox in prison, not much white wine there I don't suppose, sending you strength my lovely xxxx

Hey

massive hugs to joey and looking
looking Lovely,something has to give,no one can cope with all of that. There will be nothing of you left! Can you begin to make plans to chuck WB out? just plans,research... Do the same for the job- it sounds so time consuming that you probably haven't had a chance to look round for something else but there may be an awesome alternative out there.
Join something which sounds likely : weight watchers,knitting group etc and use the time to fuck off somewhere for a coffee and just give yourself some space to think.I'm so sorry. I drink on much less than that.

baby x

Like the "kalmer" pun baby!

joey I would vouch for the Paul McKenna cd's, I used his stop smoking one for two weeks and I haven't smoked since and that was 5 years ago. I expect the sleep one is a similar hypnosis format. I think giving yourself permission not to solve it today is a great idea, I hope some possibilities arise in the 'calm'.

spanna how is day 3 going buttercup? Have you managed to zip past the co-op and get home safely? Love the sound of your weekend camping trip.

Hi to guggs, baby, 70, hope and any other babes around today xx

Hi all. Day 9 - yay - and feeling good. 70 - am I right that we're at around the same stage, or have I got muddled (sorry if so!). You say you're looking loads better which is fab (I am still waiting for that side effect...fear it may be too late for me...) but can I ask - are you eating for England, or are you managing to cut out alcohol without eating everything that comes to hand/mouth? Am definitely struggling on that front and could do with some distraction techniques.

Hugs to hope and joey

Hi Babes, on my phone as BT have cut me off again and they owe me money

Hope lovely I am sorry you're going through all of that sounds really stressful. We are all here to listen and support you x I hope there isn't a blood cover pick axe in your handbag?? Be kind to yourself this evening x

Beaches Day 3 nearly done, not been here in a while!

Scarf hello lovely. That Q drink does look good, think I found the right one? Where do you buy it?

Love to all Brave Babes xxx

Hi Scarf - in the beginning I ate loads- now not so bad -I have to do a lot of ferrying my kids around so don't have too much time to sit around eating !!!

Joey hope you're having a better day. McKenna sounds good. May have to take a leaf out of Beaches book and try the smoking one. It's time I gave up. No not something else Arrrrrgh !

My phones far to fiddly to post a long message. Bye for now x

Hugs to hope and joey
It is so bloody hard to be the one holding it together and work full time. I totally understand. I am lucky in that I love my job and my boss, but am facing redundancy so know how hard it is.
Living with a wankbadger doesnt help.
No word from mouse. Will text her tomorrow

Hi Spanna - sorry about your phone. The Q drink is indeed lovely (spoken as a sceptic who isn't that keen on actual proper cucumber but quite likes it turned into a sparkly drink). I get mine from Ocado but someone said they sell it in Tesco. I think it must be new as it is rathe aggressively on offer at the moment.

Day 4 and the sun is shining, I'm trying to ignore the cloud on the horizon. Just wanted to wish you all a good Wednesday I've not got to Day 4 for a long time and I feel better in myself. I'm trying not to think of being AF as a chore. I've definitely got more patience with DD2, who can be a tad demanding.

I'm doing 'conversation boxes' with my old folk today, which I should have all prepared by now, but haven't. So I'm going to do a rush job, one full of seaside things and we'll pass it round and they have to take something out and talk about it. Should be ok just wish I was a bit more prepared - visualize me whizzing along the beach this morning grabbing what I can. May have to do one with random questions written out, like their earliest memory, first toy, will wrack brains once I've done school run.

Sorry bit long, BT have done what they said they'd do and got me back on line. Until the next time, bastards!

Have a good day lovely Brave Babes x

Good morning babes, day 17 and I'm very pleased except for my inability to sleep. I'm waking up several times during the night and getting up to eat and read due to insomnia, with a 3 year old and a 15 year old to contend with I'm absolutely knackered. At the risk if sounding vain I'm eating like a pig and feel bloated and sluggish as a result. When I'm drinking Ine evening I have interest in food just the wine so I'm eating endlessly trying to fill the "pleasure pocket" wine seemed to fill. I know it's the lesser evil but part of this process is to feel fit and healthy and I feel achy and slovenly running about after my very lively 3 year old,my old bones are 43 after all. I'm sorry it sounds very trivial compared to what some of you lovely babes are going through but I don't want to be swayed back to drinking through poor self esteem and feeling down. My mum gained 2 stone giving up smoking and gained 2 stone and started again never losing that excess. I have at least 2 stone to lose and can't afford any more on my poor old joints, my back and legs are sore every morning.. Just a ramble of thinking out loud, any advice greatly appreciated!!! Hugs and strength to every single babe reading this, you are FABULOUS and don't let anyone tell you different xxx

Morning all

baby if you suffer from insomnia, this might not work for you but I'm just putting it out there in case it's worth a try. I usually sleep well but if I can't get to sleep I don't even try because that just makes me anxious and then I definitely won't sleep.

So what I do is this - I keep spare pillows next to my bed because sometimes switching pillows makes me more comfortable. Then I just stretch out and really enjoy just being able to lie still with no-one wanting anything. Just luxuriate in the calm and quiet of the night. Any thoughts that pop into my head I just do a Scarlett O'Hara and say "Not now, I'll think about that tomorrow". How often do we get that time, with no demands, to just relax and not have to do anything? It can be a lovely treat sometimes.

If I can't sleep, I will just rest. No pressure. If I have to have something in my head (to keep unwanted thoughts out) I will go to a favourite 'daydream' and think about what I would do if I won the lottery, or something. Most of the time, I do find I nod off. If not, well at least I am resting and enjoying my time.

Regarding the weight, it's common to gain a bit when stopping drinking and it does really help to replace the sugar. But you will find that you can start to wean yourself off the sugar so that weight starts to maintain.

Then, when you are ready, you can start to lose a little at a time. Just 1lb a week over a year is nearly four stone so by next summer any of us could be the weight we want to be. We just have to keep an eye on it and get into those healthier habits. If I can't lose because I don't have the will (or whatever) I just try to maintain until I'm ready to have another go.

Anyway, got to go now, back later.

Big wave to all - Happy Hump Day

Thanks faire great advice you wise young thing, much appreciated and will defo take on board xxx

Hi brave babes! Hang in there, joey

Just wanted to let you know that I added a photo of myself and my DS for a brief period of time to my profile, if anybody would like to put a face to a story.

10 months sober and going from strength to strength. Still trying to sort it all out in my head. But Im remembering some song lyrics that I just keep in my mind to help forge a way forward. My future is still unwritten, and everyday I write the book! Be brave today babes!

Think I might be about to leap aboard the bus!

Last night I single-handedly drank 2 bottles of pinot grigio. Then this morning I was too hung over to go to work . This is a new low for me. I am not a violent or argumentative drunk- in fact, very worryingly I'm not entirely sure my family know when I am that drunk as I function well and obvioulsy have a high tolerance (and DH is one to 'mention' things if I do misbehave!).

My main reasons for hopefully reducing, or, more realistically, stopping my alcohol intake is my health. I am probably on borrowed time already! I'm in my early 50s and have gradually over my entire adult life been drinking a bit more and a bit more, so I want to change my relationship with alcohol.

I have recently embarked on a weight-loss regime (Paul McKenna, since you ask!) which has been going well (15lbs in 2 months) but 2 bottles of pinot won't be helping, will they?!

Another thing is that some will say I should go to my GP but I absolutely won't as, though many will deny it, once the word alcohol or ETOH appears in your medical records, with all the 'non-judgement' in the world, you will be looked down upon and judged in a health care setting. If there's one space and 2 people needing that space (like for a medical test, or scan) the person without 'excess ETOH' written on their form is very much more likely to be given that slot. I've seen it happen.

Also, I want to buy 2 books, one the wine o'clock one about women's drinking and the associated 6 week plan BUT I don't want the purchase history to appear in our shared inbox, even though I can get it delivered elsewhere. My DH can be judgy enough without ammunition! I haven't involved him in my weight-loss either; I see both battles as being mine to fight, I genuinely don't think my drinking has had much of an effect on the family (as it's all wine o'clock related, I don't start before 6pm and drink steadily for 4 hours on those days where I don't stop at one drink), I don't want or need him to interject with well-meaning but patronising remarks (like my mum who found out I was 'dieting' who instantly started telling what to do- til I said "Thanks for the advice but with all due respect, I won't be taking dieting advice from a life-long heavy smoker, thanks!" ).

I will ask a work colleague to order the books for me, I think. I just have to decide who!

why I couldn't see your profile.... maybe it is private??? I could see some kind of party photo on ma's profile, and a CAMEL on beaches profile!

And why your phrase "future unwritten" reminded me of this:

This dawn has brought on a magical day
Now as a family, head on your way
As a boat setting sail may your journey begin
With calmest of waters, most helpful of wind
And if you should stumble upon turbulent sea
May it pass you unharming – leaving you be.
For here are a family whom life has well bitten
Here opens your book which has yet to be written
As the first page unfolds and your life inks its path
May it write a true story where forever love lasts
Let your journey be happy till death do you part
Of one thousand chapters may this be the start.

Quick check in before I read back. Day 4, been busy with work, so tired but I've barely slept since Saturday. Dragging myself through the day and hoping this will pass, it's not like me at all.

Oh Venus what a lovely poem!

Think I fixed the picture problem.

Welcome Eruditio. Today is a good day to start a new life. I will not be drinking today either.

Hi everyone and a very warm welcome to eru, we've all been there and tomorrow everything will look better, you've found a great place for advice and support, I look forward to getting to know you better.. venus what a beautuful passage, just lovely. Hi to everyone else and why I can't see the picture and so want to, it would be so lovely to see you both xxxx

Gah! Is it.fixed now baby? Damn this poxy phone.

Venus lovely poem

Day 4 nearly done WW has been whispering since I left work at 4.30. It did take some willpower not to stop on the way home. But I didn't. Kids are fed, dog is walked and I'm drinking yet another cup of tea I have a bit of a camel head on, I'm very grumpy and tetchy. I'm being grumpy Mum

Why good to hear from you, I can't see the photo either x

Baby you are doing so well, you are amazing

Nuff thank you for sharing your sleep regime. I'm not sleeping very well at all. I keep waking at 5am and not getting back to sleep

Beaches how are you doing today tulip?

Hope are you OK? x

70 you are doing brilliantly

Have a good evening all of you lovely Brave Babes x

Why what a beautiful photo. You both look beautiful, your son is gorgeous xxx

Thanks spanna right back atcha girlfriend, your doing great, it's so amazing to have the genuinely touching support if strangers, it blows me away every single day, I'm so proud to be part of this amazing group of women who face life, love and the wine witch with humour, tears and immense courage, I thank my lucky stars every day for finding you all, my virtual soulmates!!!!!

why your picture brought me to tears, you epitomise the concept that out of the depths of despair hope springs eternal and that in all of life's shit, we have all witnessed the goodness in you triumph, I share your joy, I really do.

Sorry for the cheesefest but we really are all amazing people and kindred spirits no matter how many miles and oceans divide us, we're godamm awesome xxx