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

And I would say the meeting was about 70% men. And some of them were crusty. But there were women in their 70s and young professionals both male and female in their 20s and 30s. They were the minority, but they were there.

Morning babes ! Another brand new shiny day, another lovely week of being sober and happy (she says, trying to convince self )

babyj you've come so far, it's brilliant to see how well you are doing!

Well the facial peel is WORKING. Both on my face and as an alternative to alcohol. It really gave me something to look forward to last night. Mind you, I started getting obsessed in the same way I usually obsess about wine (is there cottonwool? I NEED cottonwool for my facial! What if Sainsburys is closed - will they sell it at the corner shop? etc...) I really have an addictive personality

Hi babes. (waves to 70hours as a fellow day 2 person)

Am interested in your list of likes and dislikes from the AA meeting, marigold. I don't know how many different meetings there are in your area, but I would definitely try out different meetings on different days of the week if you can, because IME every meeting has a slightly different style. All the meetings I've been to close with the serenity prayer, but only one has people hold hands during it (I'm not a big fan of handholding either, ha!). And you may also find that the degree of cigarette smoking and sweariness varies a lot from meeting to meeting.

I'm sure the meetings differ a lot from country to country. I read that in the US (in some places at least) they say the Lord's Prayer at every meeting. I'm relieved that isn't the case in the UK.

I have bad inertia today. Really need to get off the sofa and get something anything productive done.

Now we need a new thread for cottonwool addicts.

vicar I found it terrifying in the beginning. Didn't know how I was going to do it, if I could do. I was in such a horrible place. I had many days thinking I just couldn't do this. But I can, and so can you. Be kind to yourself and take it slow.

And it's soooooo worth it. I can promise you that much.

Waves to all other babes. I'm a one NC kind of gal.

I'm really tired tonight. My humour hits the gallows.
Soc xx

vicar every mouthful less swallowed is a gain for you and once that gain is banked it is yours for ever.
if you think you will drain a whole bottle, empty some out at the beginning. just a wee bit, down the drain and when the bottle is finished you will have had less than a whole bottle. A gain! Next time empty out more. Intersperse alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water.
have one night a week drinking skinny beers....
Every tiny change, is a big change. It all counts. We are here to help

stand down babes. I found indie and she is fine.

Ma - How did you find IsinDe when I was on the phone to her telling her post? ???

You is magic you is!

Anyway, it's far too fecking hot for the tea trolley so we have sorbets of every discernable flavour and ice-creams galore, all sugar and car/fat free but still delicious. Pints of iced water with slices of lime and lemon and cucumber, and I've ramped the air con (he's called Hugo) so that his rather large fan is wafting somewhat faster to try and keep us all cool........ mind you, with that image in your heads......

Still around babes. Another day 1
mouse great to see you posting. Hip op will surely help. Sure you are nervous but hope it gets you off some of the pain meds. Hugs x
I will be AF this weekend and thats guaranteed. I am having surgery Friday and will be in hospital until at least Monday.
Will have long recovery time so will be posting regularly for sure.
Soc Awesome
Catch you later babes x

well helloooooooooooooooooooo Hugo!

Mighta known ma step away from Hugo, he's blowing hot and cold ma darlin xxxx

ROFL Baby I really have missed you guys.

rural - you don't have to spill on here what you are having done my lovely but promise that you'll take good care of yourself and do say if any of us can help you at all? Online shop? Sending food parcels etc?

It's tough being off your feet. Lots of love to you sweetheart, it's always great seeing you post. xxx

Ma - you are easily pleased! xxx

Hi babes, just lurking and thought I would say hello. Am in a dreadful place at the moment, stressed, exhausted and drinking way too much. Working 12 hour days and getting drunk on days off to stem the panic. Am really in pieces and not sure how to plan a way out of this hole...

Hello folks.

I have been doing well going AF but now, on day 9, i am having a wobble. The wine witch is perched on my shoulder, and i have drunk a gallon of cordial and soda to try and combat the carvings. I will be up all night peeing at this rate.

Hope all you bus babes are having a good day.

Hi all, read the thread and think it may be the place for me, I spent most of the weekend week pissed, drank so much yesterday I threw up the last two parties I went to I drank silly amounts and fell over, I have bruises and aches and am so so ashamed of myself. It did not stop me though I hide empty bottles so DH does not know how much I drink, I like to be a bit pissed before I do anything, i like the feeling but Ds and DH are looking at me strangely when I start to repeat things or when I can't seem to remember a whole conversation we have had. I am so ashamed that I can't seem to stop, I go a day or two then get the urge and as soon as I get home from work I open a bottle then another, i am shocked at how much I can drink and still appear sober. Is there any hope for me? is the damage done and I am going to die? today is day 1 for me. Is it possible to stay off it all week and learn to just have a couple on a fri and sat or should I be aiming to give up totally? I can't see me doing that but wish I could. sorry I am feeling so bad about myself and really want to get some control over my drinking. I have done it with food, following SW regime and have lost 2 stone so far, I know the drinking is piling on the pounds and is making me lethargic, please tell me how I can do it.

stepaway I am only 9 days in but coming on here and talking about it really helps. I too had fears about dying and i became so terrified and so embarrassed about my behaviour i just knew i had to stop.

I think the only way is to take it one minute, hour, day at a time and go on from there.

There is always hope. Always. You have to believe that.

thank you littlewhite tonight is night one, I am planning my soft drinks to stop me, I usually find the first day of every attempt easy, its the middle of the week when I find the craving kicks in. 9 days is good, what has been the hardest for you?

I think i have found it hard to know what to do in the evenings as i would usually be drinking wine with my DH. He has joined me in giving up too as we are as bad as each other - except i was getting increasingly worse hangovers and my off switch seemed have got broken.

I had massive cravings this evening but i had nice cordial with soda then sat down with DD2 to look at uni courses. She seems to like spending time with me in the evening now i am not slurring my words and being more interested in my drinking.

Well done by the way for losing 2st. That is my next challenge!

maybe I will reach my 4 stone target if I can give up the extra calories I drink DH is a weekend drinker only and gets giggly on 4 beers I have no idea how he believes that I only drink at weekends too. I am trying to focus on the positives, I will lose weight, I will look clearer skinned, I will remember conversations, I will sleep better, I will have more enery and be more able at work, if I feel less tired I might feel like exercising more maybe tomorrow I will see if DH fancies a short walk after dinner rather than slouching myself on the sofa trying not to think about wine.

Well done on the weight loss eccles. And well done for making a decision to control your drinking.

I'm on SW too and have lost 20 pounds but have two stone to lose, three to get to my fighting weight! The large amount of wine I've been consuming has scuppered this completely. Like you, I've created a list of all the ways life will improve the longer I stay sober.

I feel quite motivated. The hardest part for me is getting past 8pm. If I can do that, I'm ok with lemonade and soda water. And tea. I really love my evening cup of tea.

Day 1 again, had small glass of white wine at DD2 concert yesterday (interesting, there were no soft drinks available, what does that say about the audience and it was warm and disgusting, but I still drank it)

Mouse thank you for all of the yummy munchies that you're bringing onto the bus, delicious

Hope babe sounds like you're really going through it Did you think about having the Doc sign you off work for a bit? For a bit of 'self preservation'? (you mentioned that as a possibility a while back. Stress and anxiety are all triggers, as you already know. Have you booked a break away during DCs summer holidays? Something to look forward to.It may help to write your feelings down. I'm wishing you loads of strength x

Welcome Stepaway you're in the right place Babe, there is wonderful support on this bus

Beaches thank you twinkle, I'm not doing very well with either the smoking or drinking. I have only had half a fag today (no more in the house and no money to buy anymore) Not had a drink today, same reasons

yes I think that if I get to 8.00pm then I can do it that night. my worst time is the getting in from work being on my own and sitting down for a relax. also when I know I have something I need to do, (ringing my mum is easier when I am a bit pissed) and if I am going out I like a drink before I go. margaret we can lose the weight together too how long have you managed the lack of wine and do you stay off it totally?

This is day 3 eccles. I managed five days last week then drank Thursday and Friday. I don't know why really. Stress? Breaking up from work?

Weight loss, more energy, better skin, feeling less like shit are all great motivators. I weigh in on Thursday morning.

Off to bedfordshire, I am really shattered. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.......

Be good, be kind and be safe out there Babes.

Lots of love to you all xxx

Hi babes, big hi to eccles reminds me of when I hid a bottle in the veg rack in the fridge and one in the door of the fridge, I would alternate them thinking I was oh so smart, turns out dh know all along but hoped it was a phase of my depression... You sound like you are ready to make some changes, infact your a clearly a very determined, strong willed and courageous lady as your amazing weight loss tells me, mega well done and kicking that old saggy wine witch into touch will have you at goal weight, all shiny hair, dewy skin and a fabulous figure? It's yours for the taking babe.

little your doing amazingly well, so chuffed for you, every day is a little victory and this is my first day of my second month sober and my dd1 has went from hiding her worry and shame at my antics in pure anger and ignoring me to having returned to being my beautiful daughter who loves and trusts me and these days she's with me all the time, not to check on me just relieved to have her "proper mum" back. It's great that your daughter is appreciating you sober. I've put my girls through so much, it humbles me the chances after chances they've given me and the number of times I failed again, and yet they never gave up on me, no one did.
So keep going both of you, if you can lose all that weight, you can nail that bloody wine witch for sure!!!

Lots of people I want to NC but will do so
In the morning when I'm not half asleep.....

Love to all xxx

Oh and big hug for the lovely beaches and thinking of you and wishing you well rural we all luffs ya x