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? :)

Ma - my updates are fecking it up. I managed to sort it out today and thankfully, it all makes sense now.

I am very sorry venus for my stupid keyboard. xxx

Postmortem from my goddaughter is that she died from chronic septic shock, there was nothing that anyone could do. Her tiny little body had no chance.

That was the hardest thing, having no-one to blame.

Thank you all for your kind words. I'll be back to being me once I have maybe got

Goodnight Friends

Mouse xxx

Morning babes

venus I'm so sorry to hear your sad news,will be thinking of you today.

mouse Poor little girl

I think that as faire says this is the place to let go and take as much support as the babes can give. So sorry to hear about the loss of loved ones.

isinde that is a wonderful poem,I haven't read that before so thanks for sharing.

Just a few things to say about ' Women calling time on wine o'Clock'

It's a great book and I'd recommend it to all. It's a little like the Big Book [AA Bible] but I found it far more relevant to my life,not surprisingly since the BB was written in the 1930's.

The links to drinking and self confidence made me think long and hard. I'm always running myself down and I bet most of us here do that too.The biggest link for me is that drinking every night means that we don't have time to build up hobbies and exercise routines- too busy drinking and slumping in front of the goggle box. While I'm not 100 % sober I've had enough time to get bloody bored and force myself to find some hobbies,things I hadn't really considered before.Nothing earth shattering,I just bob out for a walk in the evening rather than open that bottle but it works for me.

I also liked the way the book entered into a discussion about what makes an alcoholic or a heavy drinker or a binge drinker. They felt that the label alcoholic wasn't a very useful one,that women drink in quite different ways.

Well I liked that book. I know that it was written to promote the sanctuary and site the authors run (as well as helping women understand how and why they drink) ,I found it helpful without being hectoring.

Interestingly that book kickstarted my current detox/sobriety, and I didn't even buy it, just had a mosey through it in a bookshop. I also had a think about the link between drinking and self-confidence.

The thing about drinking taking all your free time so you don't get to do anything else is also interesting: I have practically no free time because of complex job and family situation, but the little I did have was entirely taken up by the evening drinking, not always in an obviously problematic way, but just never anything much else.

I am two weeks AF today Last night a friend was round for dinner and he and DH were sitting after the meal, as we always do, drinking wine and having a chat. Nothing wrong with that, but I decided to go off to bed early instead and read, and it was lovely. My DD came in later from having been out, and she came to my room for a chat, which would never have happened if I had been downstairs in my usual way sitting round the table drinking with DH and friend.

It just feels nice to have different options. My aim is to be able to have a social drink occasionally, but have the choice and have different ways of spending my free time rather than just the one. For now, though, staying AF...

Hi my friends, sorry I've been absent, a lot to explain but don't where how or where to start, suffice to say I drank too much, way too much, let everyone down and made myself very very Ill.... I will pop back later, got hospital this morning but I wanted to get back on as soon as poss. Love to all xxx

Hi Guggs and Silver - that sounds like the type of book I would relate to. I do think women drink for different reasons than men. I also notice that when I drink my fitness regime suffers and then I get more depressed about myself then drink more and it is a total vicious circle. I will see if I can pick it up on Amazon - though after my holiday, want a few novels to download then - so if you can recommend any good reads??

Indie Love the poem, love it. Maybe I should take a volume of poetry too for the beach?

Baby don't worry, we have all been there - I am hanging on by a thread myself at the moment. Sorry you are ill though - welcome back on board, will have a comforting hot drink and a selection of chill out music ready for you when you return from hospital.

Faire - shall we install your sound-proof box at the back of the bus? We already have a sidecar, roofrack, Barrie and heaven knows what else, a sound booth is relatively normal. I could often do with a good scream after work that vile place I am not mentioning for the next two weeks.

Big hugs to Venus, Mouse, Why and all those struggling at the moment. Waves to Ma and Spanna and Beaches and Anne. Shout out to brave I'm - let us know how you are doing

Love you lot - Mini Eggs on dashboard xxx

Hi babes

It is a really good book. I felt that there were a couple of things that they were less than transparent about though- they implied that you would be a slim,willow like goddess within a few months of quitting the sauce- NOPE! I'm soberer but fatter than I've ever been and at times I've really needed cake/chocolate to distract me from drinking. Ok I didn't HAVE to eat the chocolate,it was just the least harmful substance I could put in my mouth at the time. I may regret that sentence given the gutter like minds on this thread

Secondly the book did not follow through with long term sobriety. The stories,which were excellent,covered initial recovery and then said something like "Susan conqured her addition to alcohol and 3 months later has taken over the universe,had triplets and runs a successful recovery program for hamsters with eating disorders"
No real discussion of how and why or what to look out for at 14 months or 5 years or 10 + years.

Guess that that will be volume 2,which I will happily buy.

silver that is a very sensible and sustainable approach to af- well done.

Baby What can we do to help,my lovely? Sending massive squishy hugs and a stern teacher stare to make you look after yourself better from now on.

looking Yes,screaming room on bus- deffo! I'm hoping that while you are away you have time to think and have that brilliant idea so that you can jack in your horrid job. It's too hard to get a hold on health/relationships etc when work is vile. Anyway- have a great break. Hope you go somewhere hot

guggs and looking thanks for your support, I've just been very very stupid and need to stay sober and on this bus which is where I intend to stay.... Xxxx

Baby Hey Babe just offering you a huge good to have you back Hang on in there babe you were doing so well. Brush yourself down, you know the drill

Hope 'the husbands secret' by Liane Moriarty, had me on the edge of my seat, could be a good holiday read

Isinde love the poem x

Hey baby what's happened? It won't be worse or as bad as you think- promise. Also whatever it is someone on here me will have done just the same and lived to tell the tale

I'm of to bed now but I'll log on tomorrow to see if you are ok

Hi spanna

Hi Guggs sleep well. Another Day 1 for me tomorrow

I'm how's it going babe?

Beaches hope you've had some viewings or at least some lined up, kick that ironing into that cupboard

Hi Spanna, no viewings lined up yet but advert has only just gone up, hopefully catch some Easter browsers! Are you all set for a move tomorrow? Hope it didn't get scuppered and you are on your merry way out of the damp place. If so, hooray!! I am severely lacking motivation here and the WW is winning all to often. Probably need to set myself a new goal soon.

baby You sound a bit raw, I really hope you are not beating yourself up too much. Sometimes reminding ourselves of the crap is both necessary and helpful.

Hope on the one hand I hope you have a really nourishing and relaxing break but the evil me is especially at the thought of sun - we had (some freakishly late) snow here again today and I am sooo fed up with it!

Silver two weeks is fantastic! well done.

im, venus, mouse and why you are all in my thoughts, you are all such brave babes

Also hi to guggs, joey, rural, isinde, faire, Ma, Anne and anyone else who may be lurking

Yay, spanna thanks for the Opal Fruits and good luck with moving Have downloaded the Liane Moriaty book onto my kindle along with some Lionel Shriver and Helen Dunmore. As you can see am not planning an active holiday

Looking forward to going away now - just packing and booked taxi for tomorrow morning and downloaded Visas. Can't wait, it's freezing here. Need to shave my legs though or else they will think a sheepdog has jumped in the pool.

Baby hope you feel better today lovely. I can't promise to be AF on my holidays, but hopefully will come back less stressed and ready to start my fitness regime. Went to doctors today and got the all clear on my chest (at last) after that nasty infection, also told her about the work situation and she said that I only had to phone her and she will sign me off sick. So now that I know it is an option, at least I will feel less panicky. Still too proud to want to do it really, but being hard working and professional isn't getting me anywhere, and I've had enough of 50 hour weeks so good to have an option

Guggs thanks for the good wishes. Maybe a solution will come to me by the poolside! And Beaches I will wish for some sunshine for you while I'm away.

Might not post for a while as don't think I have Wi fi at our apartment but see you next week and have a lovely Easter. Hope the bunny brings you all lots of eggs xxx

Sorry, had to do one of these smiley bunnies in case they are gone when I get back
. Happy Easter Brave Babes

Hi all
baby you OK
Waves to beaches,spanna,guggs hope and everyone else.
Just back from Inverness with Ds, visiting Fort George and Culloden. Am all military historied out.

Bang! Clank! Crash! D'aaargh!

Ok, had a little trouble, but the Screaming Booth is now safely installed at the back of the bus. Fully soundproofed as promised

Beaches I am having Easter weekend off, then come Tuesday I'm getting back on the healthy/fitness regime so if you need a goal, feel free to join me. I'm going for the five weeks up until the next school holiday, then I'll see where I am. I should be able to lose 10lb by then. But for now I'm not putting any pressure on myself.

(Greedy )

Still on the beetroot juice. Off away for weekend tomorrow and the big family function, sans booze!! (hopefully). Wish me luck! have a good Easter everyone.

oh yes grinning bunnies have to be done

may have to go and have a shout in sound proof room - not exchanged and this property milarky is getting on my tits

sorry silverring I x posted with you there whilst indulging in smiling bunnies Have a good weekend at your family thing, you can only do your best, have fun and enjoy the company

It's a bunny bonanza

Faire that sounds just what I need, in fact starting Tuesday I am going to do until May 18. That is just short of 4 weeks and I really want another longish spell. Thanks for the prompt . By the sound of it you don't drink at all during term time now and have settled into a really good habit.

Silver good luck with the family function and hope you enjoy yourself.

Spanna have a good scream in the booth babe! you must be wild with all the delays. It must happen soon crossing my fingers for you.

Ma hope you and ds enjoyed your military history day. I went to an aviation museum last week on a school trip which involved lots of Canadian military history. It was interesting mostly and the children got quite absorbed, especially in the weaponry.

hope Good that the doctor will give you the reassurance of a sick note if needed. That should take a bit of the pressure off, just knowing there is an option of relief. Anyway, in the meantime happy mellow, lazy holidays.

Well Happy Easter babes, hope you all enjoy some chocolate

Just had an af evening. Struggled through 7-9 but now looking forward to a good night's sleep. Night babes.

Happy easter babes

Been lurking more than posting lately as struggling to get any time to myself during the holidays. I often feel overwhelmed having the dds home all day, I struggle not having 'me' time.

Guggen I think I will have to have a look for that book, I totally identified with using alchohol for a confidence boost, not having time to develop hobbies because drinking takes up all the time. I remember years ago getting myself out of an arrangment to go to the gym every sunday with a friend as it interfered with my saturday night drinking...with work (having to be available all hours) I've never been able to have structured hobbies as such but it's been drinking that has stopped me going to the gym, gardening, reading, etc

Last week I managed five af days, this week I've had two af days, two days drinking. I'm feeling impatient, lethargic, eating rubbish, and i know it's because of the drinking. Last week I just generally felt better and I want that to be the norm. Even after all this time it still feels like my default setting is to have a glas of wine.

Faire, beaches I hope to join you in healty eating/fitness regime. I've managed to get back into the habit of exercising but I struggle to pull it all together. I had a healthy heart check and was told I was doing everything right - god knows how!!! - and my weight's fine but I'd like to tone up, I don't feel particularly healthy, I really struggle with eating sensibly.

Hope enjoy your holiday, you really deserve a break, hi to silverring, spanna, ma, joey, isinde, mouse, venus, i'm, baby, why, rural and anyone else I might of missed (I'm rubbish at name checking)

isindie thanks for the Rumi poem, it is one I love and it has helped a lot this week xx

faire I'm with you on the 5 weeks, lose 10lbs approach - I know that would make me feel lighter and brighter.

P.S. babes did you know that being in the soundproofed booth has 2 benefits.... the first is that you can scream, swear, weep or sing, safe in the knowledge that no one will hear; the second is that when you're in there you can't hear anyone (or anything) else. No gurning babies, no whining husband, no demanding friend, no criticising parent, no argumentative children, no haranguing boss, no ringing phone, no football on sky sports, not even the sound of your own inner critic..... (feel free to mix the adjectives and nouns to create your own list)......

So replace the distracting noise with something thst serves you better - uplifting choral music, the sound of the sea, the voice of an angel, some rocky dance beat, or the raucous soothing sound of the voice of the babes encouraging you, supporting you and cheering you on.

Have a good Easter, all of you xx

Forgot to put in the bunny ears, so......

Have a good Easter, all of you xx

ma I'm fine, thank you so much for asking, I had the most amazing walk this morning in the scorching sun (yes in Scotland) to my favourite tunes and as I looked up and felt the sun on my face I felt happy, free and hopeful and happy, and the wine witch was nowhere to be seen or heard and it's made me understand there are other ways to feel good, great even, we just need to shut out the chaos and see the good things around us that we miss while charging around trying to be perfect. My dd's have been in the garden playing all day, washing smells of fresht air and barbeque sizzling away nicely, no wine witch to bother me, not forever but at least for today, Happy Easter my dear friends xxx