The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Sipping Super Summer Mocktails Whilst Soaking Up Some Sun.

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, Mouse

I'm what some would call a 'controlled' drinker these day, but I wasn't always and I'm not alone on this wonderful bus, Gerald, when I say that.

We have drinkers who drink each day, those who abstain completely and those who are not sure what it is that they actually want just yet....

We won't judge you for drinking, no matter what your reason is, we've all been in your shoes somewhere along the way!! And we have ALL used every excuse under the sun too!

We have some Babes who ride on the Roof-Rack, (clinging on for dear life ) and then we have an expandable Side-Car, which some Babes use, but the bus, well, the bus, our wonderful Gerald, who takes us here and there, to pick up people in need of an unbiased and much needed ear to listen to. :)

There are lots of ears on this bus, and not a single one will turn you away and not listen!

Two things that we do believe here are -

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

If you are lurking and reading this thread, there is a reason for it, isn't there?

Stay lurking or come and say hello! We don't always bite.

And for those who'd like a bit of history, HERE'S THE LAST THREAD

And of course, THIS IS WHY WE ARE ALL HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE, A VERY AWE INSPIRING READ

See you soon x

wry distracted chap would be well worth a punt!

Morning all. Day 11 here and I'm feeling good today. Yesterday DS1 was off school and so I spent most of the day with him helping him rearrange the furniture and organise his stuff. The state of the house in general is pretty awful so it feels nice to have at least one room under control (!). He is so thrilled about it - is talking nonstop about his 'new room'. That's the kind of project I doubt I would have managed to do pre-sobriety - I probably would have got tipsy and petered out by midday. A lot of my previous days featured a kind of mad alternation between wine and coffee, starting from the time I woke up - have a glass of wine to 'relax', then have a coffee to 'wake up', rinse and repeat multiple times all day long. Christ, no wonder I had headaches! It's so good to feel that the lethargy is starting to be replaced by energy.

It also occurred to me that there is nothing stopping me learning to drive now, which I've wanted to do for ages. Well, OK, lack of money for lessons is stopping me, but there's no reason I couldn't do it in theory.

alison, well done for ignoring the chilled wine in the fridge. That takes a mind of steel!

wry, I'm so sorry you had a bad day yesterday. Please don't underestimate yourself as you sound like an absolutely amazing nurse. If I were a patient I would want someone with compassion and years of experience over a newbie with a posh degree any day! I wonder if there's something about the nursing career that makes people vulnerable to alcohol problems though - this is just anecdotal but two of the women in my AA group are ex-nurses. Anyway, you are doing well; today is a new day! Here, have a bosie. [[[wry]]]

venus, I love that line about who's the most sober.

ma, I'm riveted by the norks saga. Not just distracted, riveted.

meant to say, 'rearrange the furniture in his room' - we were tackling one bedroom, not the whole house!

Good morning my lovelies, wry and ma I'm appalled by the filth and depravity being demonstrated on our bus and I'm booking a nork job in the hope I am summoned to punt possible meetings, I am both appalled and jealous in equal measures.

wry I was cantering yesterday and it felt amazing, when you become a grown up and all the complexities that brings it's feels so amazing to feel young and free and gave me a greater buzz than any bottle I've drank. Don't worry about a few wee daft prosecco's, I'm in hospital a lot with my Crohn's and I would thank my lucky stars to have a nurse like you, hell a friend like you is fab enough. You've brought do much light and laughter to our bus and that my lovely lady is a gift.

I'm off out to get eyelash extensions then it's another glorious bike ride, some would I'm obsessed with riding but it's just a wicked rumour.

Lorra lorra love to my lovely babes xxx

Thank you for my bosie marfisa much needed this morning. I think you are so right re nurses, I dare say there's a few of us. Sometimes the grief is hard to bear, caring for the people left behind, that never gets easier.

I would go home, have a glass of wine and try to let the day go. Yes, I can stop and yes it all sounds very responsible but heaven forbid if I'm off duty next day. I keep going until everything's blotted out. Sometimes the pain leaves me hollow and I just want something, anything to fill that void.

My boyfriend used to be a source of a hug and a shoulder but no more. We are struggling on so many levels that it no longer hurts to think it could be the end. He's chipped away at me for so long now, I can no longer feel the bits breaking off.

Well done on getting his room under control, that must have felt good, for him and for you! One room at a time and before you know it you'll be in your lovely haven, with nothing nasty lurking in the cupboards! My granny was fond of the saying tidy room, tidy mind and I think it's true.

My bedroom is sore in need of a good sort out, I started it the other week but I need to be a shade more ruthless.

You are a lovely lot on here, I don't say it enough xx

Eyelashes too! You wee vamp ye! Catch up with you later ma quine, that's me away to start my day, xx

I don't know if you can feel it, but I'm bosieing you to bits, who needs norks when you can flutter your v v v long jersey coo lashes at folk? Xxx

Hello Babes, just a quick one, it's been a busy couple of days - not helped by my daft dad missing his ferry home and having to stay longer than planned - lovely, but I did have other plans! Made it to the gym this morning, which I always had before I go, but feel good about after.

Have a good day everyone.

wry that bosie wiz rare, thanks xx

Hi babes. Not been on for a little while so am a bit out of sync with everyone. Looks like there are a lot of positive stories and lots of support here though. Soc well done chick! I love seeing you pass milestone after milestone - very inspiring and am a little bit .

I am on day 11. Have got four 11 year old boys for a sleepover tonight and 5 more 8 year olds coming tomorrow for a party. . I know it will be a hectic and am so grateful not to be hungover or stressing about not being able to drink tonight. I can deal with things so much easier when I step of the drinking treadmill.

Love to you all xx

good god beaches that sounds like chaos! At least they can entertain themselves, and tomorrow morning you could threaten to cancel the party unless the room gets tidied back up!

joey I may use that one in the morning - that is if they get ANY sleep! Hope things are good with you babe x

Evening babes
just checking in to say hi to the busload of lovely loons.

I am wearing a very sexy pair of old laydee pjs and intend to spend the night reading & crocheting. Life in the fast lane,hey? Up for a swim first thing tomorrow.

That makes it sound like I'm going to crochet my own swimwear doesn't it? lol!

How YOU doin?

Hi Ma, I am doing ok, thanks for asking We are in the process of moving house, trying to find renters for the current one and sort out the new one. Registering at new schools and all the legal, financial stuff that goes along with it. I was beginning to sink and get quite overwhelmed by it all so decided on a dry July. So far so good and am definitely feeling better equipped mentally for not drinking. The old saggy titted bitch is still whispering though, just keep thinking 'get today done and maybe tomorrow I can have one' Not sure it is the best approach but...

Anyway, other than that, and a posse of excitable boys in the house, all is good. I see you have been using your knockers to their best advantage (I can only dream of a decent frontage, more of a fried egg affair here sadly!!). And a trip to Downing Street . Glad to hear there is some good stuff going on for you.

guggs. crocheted swimwear sounds like Russian roulette for your modesty!!

Morning babes

All good here. It starts to feel normal waking up on a Saturday without a hangover. I also realised last night that I didn't even think about wine. On a Friday. How things have changed.

I hope I don't come across as too over the top excited, and bragging on here. I am very aware that I'm only one sip away from falling back into that black hole so I am not entirely without caution.

All I really want to do, is to tell all of you how much nicer this is, and that it is possible and to just persevere. I really, really battled to stop for even a day. I've battled this for years and I'm so excited to be doing this well.

In the bad old days I would already (11am) be thinking about how to justify drinking today. How to find an excuse to start early afternoon. And if I couldn't find a reason, I'd start drinking in secret. It's really no way to live and it's entirely controlled by alcohol. Who would really want to spend every week-end just getting drunk. Well, me not so long ago.

I still miss that bad side and just getting hammered for the sake of it, but if I do it even once I know it will be back to every day drinking. I wouldn't mind getting shit faced once a month, but I know it leads to drinking the next day because it's the only thing that helps and then I'm back on that dreadful emotional roller-coaster again.

Hope all you babes are well. And thanks again. A million times for existing. xx

Morning lovelies, day 2 for me and working today so hands full

Gorgeous day here already, hope the sun is shining on you all, bosies to all, xx

Sober - you absolutely do not come across as bragging or over excited about your sobriety - I LOVE reading your posts, your positivity and compassion.

I totally understand the 11am 'justification' for a drink - I thought that myself today after finishing the baking, dinner prep and cleaning. 11am has always been 'happy hour' in my family, time for a beer, catch up and a laugh. Sad really eh?

As for me, 2 beers today, which, being a Saturday isn't too bad....birthday drinks tomorrow though with 'the girls' so that could be different....But looking forward to a catchup with my mates, good food, great conversation and bad singing!

Take care all xx

beaches sounds like you need all your wits about you for your house load of boys!

soc for me its so helpful to have someone who is controlling alcohol so well still coming on here to post. I think you are showing us that yes, it can be done but that also you can't be complacent.

We arrived at our destination for the weekend yesterday much earlier than planned. Although I did delay drinking for 2 hours using various tactics, come 8pm I was drawn in. Two positives though...I drank G&T rather than wine (in RL that would sound odd but I know many of you understand how amazing it is to choose something else over the WW). I had 4 over the evening and I drank water in between.

My biggest success came from a huge reality check. I stopped drinking consciously and early because the people I was with starting reminiscing about one of my legendary drunk episodes (think having to be put to bed at 4pm at a family tea party). Looking back they all think its hilarious but to me I cringe and think although I'm happy to suffer a bit if ribbing I do not want to continue being the drunken entertainment for everyone. It sobered me up quite quickly lastnight and I didn't drink anything else after this conversation.

I will be drinking tonight. We have a babysitter booked and we're off out. My aim is moderation.

Morning babes, feeling a bit crap today, my slimming world diet has thrown my crohn's into a frenzy to all my joints ache and my insides are hollow and sore from using the loo all night long (sorry TMI), it's so strange mood and appearance is improving every day but by night I'm tortured by terrible nightmares of dreadful things happening to me and my family, too awful to repeat. I have woken the last 3 nights with a panic attack feeling I can't breathe and my heart is racing. I remain positive that these will settle down but between my illness and the dreams I'm exhausted and tearful today.

Sorry to bring the wonderful mood down but I have slept through the night for a month and I'm so scared I will turned up my favourite sedative through desparation rather than desire.

I know I won't drink but a big group hug would be nice.

sober you are not a show off, your a shining success and I thank you for your shining light, especially today.

Love to all of you from a slightly jaded Baby xx

Meant haven't slept through the night xx

Soc you are an ace example to us all - and you should be excited.

Poor Baby, I hope you get some relief soon.

Beaches, did you survive?

Morning everyone else. I am back to day one - again. I know I should look on the bright side at how many AF days I have had this month, but I am mostly really fed up with myself, and I have a hangover to add to the mix.

I don't really know why I did it - half a bottle of wine, boredom? I think I was feeling a bit under the weather - not really an excuse, but we all know it doesn't have to be, do we?

Right. I need to be strong today.

Hello brave babes. I want to join you. Can I come aboard the bus? I had a ridiculous amount of wine last night sitting in the garden with DH. We had a lovely time listening to music.

This morning is a different story. He is fast asleep still, I have been throwing up (charming) and the dog is looking at us longingly waiting to be walked. This is no way to exist. I needs to stop.

DH has agreed we will stop drinking for the next thee weeks as we are going to a wedding then. If I can manage that then maybe I can manage longer.

I need help folks. Lots of help and encouragement. I want to do this. My liver needs me to do this. I wake up in the morning with fears of dying. I can't go on like this.

Welcome aboard, LWB presumably you won't feel like drinking today, but you will need a plan of distractions - which should involve being nice to yourself. It's good to have supportive company along the way as well.

Definitely no drinking today. That is a given. I feel like shit.

Hi babes, quick check in. I've been drinking lager the past few weeks, averaging about 10 units a week. I'm sort of happy with the units but slightly worried i might start getting a taste for lager. It's always been wine that has been my downfall so I'm glad I'm avoiding that but I'm drinking almost every night

Not sure what I'm trying to say, sort of feel good (about the units/lack of hangovers) not so good that it's a bottle almost every night. The other thing is I don't know why I'm really drinking it at all - apart from avoiding wine - I'm getting nothing out of it. Don't much like the taste, and there's no blurred around the edges feeling from a 0.8% bottle, even when I have two. My anxiety levels have gone down but that could be down to an uneventful week.

Welcome littlewhitebag :)