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

venus, Beautiful! They should put that (verbatim) on the elderflower fizz label. Right down to the oo err missus! It would sell out by the lorry load!

I bow down in awe. Genius. That is all.

(Well I would bow down, but I'm proper stuffed and my jammie bottoms don't feel as forgiving as they did earlier)

Morning babes
Whoo hoo. This is my sober thread. Wish we had elderflower fizz here. I just drink any random shit. I like to try different stuff. Just for fun. Most of it is vile but it's not wine or water.
Day 46 here.
Yes and where is Indie?

Morning babes, day 5 here. Have had a strange week as work colleague died suddenly this day last week and am finding it hard to process the fact that life (work) carries on as normal. Sad but true.

obrigada I bet a sudden death like that has really shaken you up, such a close part of your world. The way things keep going seems really wrong, how easily we can all be taken out of the equation is always horribly shocking. Take care babe

I seem to have got stuck in the sidecar for the minute but am so impressed with how you are all doing. Xxx

Thanks Beaches, you summed it up perfectly!

Thanks for great advice Venus, it was actually easy to explain delayed drinking due to being thirsty for a soft drink! There was one moment when I automatically filled up my empty glass before friend had finished (an old tactic to get more!) However it was genuinely habitual. As I did it, I thought of the bus, waited for friend to catch up and then refilled her so we were still level. I am going out tomorrow and Friday (pre-arrangements) so will use this tactic again. Annoyingly I am craving a drink tonight despite doing so well. Or maybe due to...I feel like I need a reward

obrigada sorry you've had such a shock. Any sudden news, bad or good, is often something to set us off kilter. Are you doing anything at work to commemorate your colleague's death?

Hello to all Babes!

Went out to an outdoor swing dancing event in the city. We have always previously drank alcohol at the event.
This year, DH and I drank soda, danced the night away and headed out for a late night coffee and slice of cheesecake. A lovely evening, with romance and I had a clear head in the morning, as I always do now.

It is possible to go home again.

Sorry its a drive by!

Hi babes, I'm back, have lost my iphone (while drunk) and been very very down and worrying everyone with the extent of my anxiety and low mood...I'm going to see a new doctor this week so I hope to get to the bottom of this bloody nightmare but I'm back here where I belong, will read back and be back soon, missed you all xxx

Evening, tis me, Mouse

I'm so sorry to hear about your colleague Obrigada xxx

Great post Beaches :) xxx

Rural!!!! There you are! Nice to see you. :) xxx

It's been a reeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllly long day on the PMP (Pain Management Programme) Swimming exercises, cycling, the gym, a talk on pain..... EVERYTHING HURTS.

My diverticulum and gallbladder issues that had me blue lighted a few weekends ago, have flared up again so I look 7 months pg and I'm in pain, like I had before....

EEEEKKK!

One a positive note, Bounty are getting a kicking on Watchdog™ which is long over due!!!

Right, pain killers and bed for Nemo and a story, and then some time with DH. :) At last.

Night everyone, keep strong and slap that Wine Witch in the face with that full bottle!!

Lots of love,

Mouse xxx

PS - will check in again soon. Take care everyone. xxx

obrigada what a horrible shock. Hope you are OK?
baby what's up sweets? You had a good run recently and will do so again
why can't put I to words how wonderful it is to read a post like that from you. wonderful!
I cracked on day 5 but plan to get back on it again tomorrow. I would be extremely chuffed to keep up a pattern of 4 days off in between drinks if I can.
mouse poor you! Huggles to you and wee fish face

Obrigada I lost a friend/work colleague a few months back and one of the hardest things was work just carrying on as normal. We even had a dispute over whether we would be allowed to go to the funeral - we did go but had to make the hours back up. My thoughts are with you, it was a really horrible time :(

night babes

Have been to a family funeral today for my poor uncle- he was a 'real' alcoholic.He was also the kindest and most gentle man. Fuck booze- I really think I hate it now.

Glad to be here and thank you for the bus.
ma Fab news !!!!! Very pleased for you.
baby Ok- you had a good stretch sober,hope you are ready for another one. Have a hug [ ] depression sucks big time.x
mouse hope the pain course helps you.

1 month sober,round 2.

Sorry gugg and obrigada. Death is always difficult. Sending you hugs.

Xx

morning babes, promise to read back later properly, just so thankful for your stories of inspiration. found my iphone under the couch so I'm glad fir that at least!!! using my kindle which I'm not used so. sooooo determined this time and your posts inspire me,i can do this, I need to, my body and family will take no more of my nonsense, to keep my family together it is not a choice, I NEED this bus more than ever, xxxxx

oh you've got a new thread!

ma well done on your 5 days, that's brilliant!

Tonight has not gone to plan. I have had 3 large glasses of red wine whereas nearest friend had 1. Rather than taking last night's advice of delayed drinking I turned up early to read my book and have half an hour to myself ( with glass of wine). All lovely but I come home feeling like I went too far. Kind of wanted to say to friends 'don't judge me, but I'm going to have another wine whilst you get your cup of tea'. Bugger.

Hey babes, just checking in to see how you are all doing. Can't post much cos on phone, but congratulations to all who are not drinking and commiseration to those having a hard time.

Obrigada, sorry about your colleague. Were you friends? I have heard of 1 cancer death (sudden), 1 stroke (serious) and one other serious cancer in colleagues since Easter. Two of them youngish, 40s.

They were not close, people I saw 5 or 6 times a year, but have known them and liked them for years, and they all seemed perfectly fit and well right up to it. It does pull you up short.and make you think, if I were to go tomorrow is this how I want to have lived my life? And if the answer is no...

Hmm, can we get a life coach on this bus? Although actually you lovely babes together are my life coaches.

I'm just a very slow learner!

Guggs, didn't see you there - sorry about your uncle too babe. Big hugs xxx

I lost you all, again

Saturday night me and dp had a big night out, at 3am I asked for a taxi home, he ignored it, we walked 2 miles with a couple I didn't like on our way home, when we got near theirs he said we were going in for a drink. I asked to go home again, at 9am I stormed out only to have lost a shoe, my keys and my dignity and have to call him repeatedly to let me in after some firemen stopped me in the street after seeing me walking past for the third time.

I swore this was it. Dp has honestly apologised, he said I didn't seem too drunk and he was plastered. I said never again. Tonight I realised that I won't get to have a drink this weekend as it is a family member's bday at a dry affair so I went for a glass of wine after work. I then bought a bottle for when dd was asleep. I didn't want it. I drank it and now I'm drinking old cider from the fridge. I'm at work at 8. I don't know what I'm doing but can't stop.

babyjane, thinking of you my quine, pleased you found your phone. You can do it, haud gaun my lovely and hope you get on okay at the doctor, xx

guggs and obrigada, I'm sorry, you are both hurting, it is such a shock when someone dies, grief feels like a physical pain. Sending you both big bosies.

alison, tomorrow is another day, onwards and upwards. No judging here, lass. What are you reading? I love a good book, although I'm coming round to my kindle, there's something about the feel and smell of a book.

Hope everyone is doing okay, xx

fated, I know this is easier said than done, put down the cider, have some water or a cuppie or some juice. You can stop, you have to, work is 8 hours away and you need some sleep. You will feel rotten if you keep going, small steps lass, small steps. You can do it, xx

Is mixing the cider half with lemonade stopping? I don't know what to do. I feel great, I know what is coming tomorrow x

Just got dd back to sleep. It's amazing how much booze I can handle and function on now. It is not right for a 5ft, 8st person

morning babes, fated hope your feeling ok this morning, it's so hard to stop when that warm cuddle of booze kicks in, thinking of you... guggs and obrigada I'm so sorry about your sad news, seems there's loss everywhere, we should be grateful I guess for how lucky we are. wry thanks for your kind words, I'm on day 5 but this time is for the long haul, no b/s, this is it for me, I keep thinking what why did for her boy and all I need to do is stay sober for my girls and put this god awful depression behind me, and I will.

still on my kindle til I get a new charger later then I'll be back, have a super day everyone xxx

Thank you all for your kind words re the death of my colleague, I work in a small family business (which I hate) and the fact that the work continues on without us even closing for an hour is something I am finding very hard to get my head around.
Today I will not be drinking.