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

Day three done.

I feel more patient and able to cope with DD's tantrums. May be coincidental but I feel much calmer when alcohol is out of the equation.

And a pound lost despite eating M&Ms.

I feel like I can see a bit of a light through this lot. Don't know where I'd like this to lead but I'm kind of enjoying finding out?

Well done mary it takes a lot to do that. Your experience sounds pretty much like mine (including not telling dp where I was going - in fact I felt like I'd gone from being a secret drinker into being a secret non-drinker!).

I found that AA meetings in different places / at different times all had their own sort of vibe, so maybe see if there are any others that you can try too. It never felt like I'd found my 'place' there, but it did help me to keep sober at times, and in this battle it's worth trying anything a few times. After all I don't think I much liked the taste of alcohol when I first tried it, but look how much that changed

Morning babes
Still going strong here. Doesn't mean I don't have pangs or doubts or worries about Christmas/birthdays/blah blah blah, but those pangs and doubts are so much weaker and short lived. I just passed a birthday sober. My first sober birthday since I was probably 15, other than being pregnant. It was lovely. Absolutely fine. No need for all those stupid fucking conversations of self pity "how will I get through my birthday". Woe is me.

It just gets easier and easier. I will never be complacent because I know how quickly I slide back into 1-2 bottles a day. And at the moment I am firing on ALL cylinders and it is absolutely amazing. Life isn't suddenly perfect, but my brain is. My thoughts are still pretty fucked up (and I like that) but it's the real sober me. I haven't changed, I've just improved.

All I can say is keep going. Keep slogging through those god awful first days and weeks because this really is worth it. I found a lot of support by trawling through sober blogs. And endless new soft drinks. Fill your fridge with all manner of weird stuff as long as it doesn't have alcohol. For some reason it really works having a 'drink' that is something special at times when I would feel like a glass of wine. Soc xx

Thank goodness I didn't go for the extra wine last night, I would be feeling guilty and crap right now.

TODAY I WILL NOT BE DRINKING

I have posted this post in chat too as i need advice. I am using a name change on this one but i have been posting on here recently under another name. What advice would you give me?

Sorry if this is long. 10 days ago i hurt my knee so at the end of last week i made an appointment with my GP to go and see about it. Knee pain has decreased loads but still niggles so I am not desperate to see GP about it now.

On Friday DH and i drank a shed load of wine. I probably had about one and a half bottles. Usually after that amount of wine i would be a bit headachy the next day but generally fine.

On Saturday however i spent the whole day throwing up. I was in a terrible state. It seemed like a mega hangover in relation to the amount of wine i drank. It is fair to say i drink too much generally.

Sunday and Monday i have still been feeling terrible. Headachy, nauseous, dizzy. I can only eat very bland foods. Yesterday morning my weetabix and berries came up almost immediately.

I can't work out if i have maybe had a virus or if my body has had a massive reaction to the accumulated amount of alcohol i drink or maybe some other reason.

So my dilemma is - do i go to the GP about the knee and not the sickness? Do i go and discuss the drinking/sickness? Can i ask about both? I tend to be of the opinion it is one appointment for one ailment.

Or do i cancel the appointment, call in sick to work (went in yesterday but they know i feel unwell and i went home early) and just retire to bed until i feel better?

I have no idea what to do for the best.

Venus, at 'head-fuckery'.

Morning all. Had a lovely evening at the theatre, all the better for not yawning all through the second half from the volume of wine necked before and at the interval. Also slept a deep virtuous sleep - and I'm having to set an alarm!

Well done Margaret, I find myself more patient with DS too.

Welcome (back) Mary and Drink, what we are doing (or trying to) is not easy, listen to the wisdom of Venus, and keep trying - the wonderful Soc is an example of how it WILL stick, but no one can decide to do it but you.

I don't have any informed medical advice, drink, but I think you want someone to give you permission to raise it with your GP - give yourself that permission and make it something positive you have done for yourself. In my experience, if the GP feels that they can't deal with two things at once they will ask you to book another appointment - and our GP actually encourages double appointments rather than building up queues. I hope you feel better soon.

It's a good day for me, I have a meeting for coffee and cake with an old student, who I hope to get on board with a new project as a consultant, and Astronomy club this evening with DS - and for once I won't be resenting that having to drive him there stops me from drinking.

Hope you're all able to enjoy the sun - get those ice trays filled up and those cordials out (not a euphamism!).

I cancelled the appointment in case it is a virus and am staying in bed to look after myself. I am very worried that i have early signs of alcoholic liver disease and i have now found the confidence to raise these fears with my DH. He agrees that we both need to stop drinking and eat better and generally take more care of ourselves.

I think i need to give myself permission to take care of myself and put my own needs first. My children don't need me as much as they used to (they are 16 and 21) and so i can stop always putting them first in terms of having alcohol/snacks that they like in the house (not alcohol for the 16yo obviously). They earn money, they can buy their own.

I am stepping out trembling and weak into a world i don't know. I am glad this thread is here for support. I am changing back to my normal username soon but may revert back to this one from time to time when i want to discuss things i find difficult.

Welcome drink .hope u feel better soon.
Currently at a and E with dd1 who fell off horse today and needs xrays on spine!
Never a dull day!

I have managed three no alcohol days now. I have also spoken to my DH and DD2. I don't want to be a poor role model for her. She is 16 now and getting that peer pressure to drink at parties but she isn't keen. I have told her to stick to what she wants to do and she has said she will.

dementedma Hope your DD1 is okay. Spinal x rays don't sound good.

Hope she's ok ma.

Hope your lass is okay ma xx

Good going Littlewhite

Drink, the thing for me, was, though I have a view of myself of always putting other people first - and in many ways, I do - when I drink, I am putting alcohol ahead of everyone and everything, and with a clear head, I can see that that is an utterly selfish act. It's a tough thing to acknowledge, but for me it is true. And thinking about it in that way makes prioritising the steps to and support for sobriety, seem much less disruptive or selfish.

Gove and Willets gone! If it had been a few weeks ago, I would have raised a glass of wine to that, lime an soda will have to do!

Sweet Someone said to me today that they imagined I'd be raising a glass to Gove's demise! Had to grit teeth and think of lime and soda also.

Then, Margaret, let us dance and caper in celebration instead ~ then everyone will think we're drunk. No need to tell them any different

Found this very funny on Twitter!

Soc I had my first sober birthday this year too. And several work do's that used to involve copious amounts of alcohol.

All were fine, fun and I was buzzing on the natural high of being out, dancing, chatting, enjoying myself without a drink. I drove home and had no hangover to endure the next day, no regrets whatsoever.

And blimey, I saved a ton of money too - 15p for a lime and soda instead of £4.00 for a glass of wine. Big, big difference.

I can highly recommend it babes. Try a big night out sober, just once. Try it and see how much fun it is x

Ma hope your dd is ok.

Hey, blanket, lovely to hear from you, stick around, you know how much support there is here x

Drink no advice re the gp, do what you think is best. One thing I can identify with is the horrible fear that drinking has caused some awful, irreparable illness or damage to our bodies.

Not drinking takes all that away. A bug is just a bug, a nasty virus is (just) a nasty virus. It is so, so much easier to deal with illness without worrying that it's self-inflicted.

Just another benefit from stopping drinking.

Hope you feel better soon x

Thanks all. She is fine but sore and bruised.
Am off to London tomorrow for my big adventure.
Have lost 4lbs and am ready to take on the PM.
You'll have heard about the cabinet shuffle....my lips are sealed.

ma hope your daughter is ok, and you too ofcourse, these pesky kids that we love so much worry us sick, thinking of you darlin xxxx

ma so pleased your daughter is going to be fine. Such a worry for you.. Big fat bosie for ye both ((((((((bosie))))))

Enjoy your visit to London, you'll knock 'em dead wi your slinky frock and your superhypnotic norks! If there's anyone left at No 10 who's erse needs hoofing, give 'em one from me!

(Dying to hear all about the quality nibbles)

I will be a bit busy to go through everyone's posts but will catch up soon. We have been a bit short staffed so we are all doing a little extra. I'm thinking of you all, xx

Evening folks. I am very excited...I have learned something of immense importance today...people go outside in the evening!

Usually chez littlewhite used to involve dinner, wine opened, feet up, stagger to bed a bit worse for wear. Repeat the next night....and so on...

This evening me, DH and our DD's went out for a walk on the beach with the dog. There were other people doing this too. People out doing activities which don't involve alcohol.

Our going out activities have always involved drinking - dinner, theatre, parties etc. It was so very lovely to do something as a family which didn't involve alcohol. I need to find other things to do. DH are planning a trip to the cinema on Friday. We haven't seen a film in long time.

Day 4 almost done. Life is looking good.

Hope you are all well.

Govey....

He really was a twunt,wasn't he?