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

Morning babes
Obrigada sorry for your loss,which I should have said sooner but was a bit caught up. I understand that it's a small business but,honestly,they are being very disrespectful. Stupid to not allow people to grieve ffs!

fated Sounds horrible- no fun at all.That feeling of being out of control is vile. And you're right,I was 8st & little for most of my life and put away large quantities of booze,the trouble is you can't see what it's doing to your insides. Anyhow,enough tough love. How can we help? Are you ready for an af night? Got some nice soft drink? Something nice to eat? Will be back for some handholding later on.

baby good- sounds like that depression is lifting a little already.
alison It's just one night- don't worry and put it behind you.Just by posting and joining in the conversation shows that you're tackling your relationship with booze.

Morning all- hope you are all well. Today I will not be drinking. Even though it's friday

Hello babes, back in jan and February I was on here and doing well. Fell off the bus, and really really need to borrow some strength.

I feel like I've slipped from 'problem drinker' to full-blown . . . God, can't even say it.

Have been drinking already today, but NEED TO stop. MUST STOP.

BUGGER

Guggs thanks babe, I just wanted to say about your Uncle,the few REAL alcoholics I have ever known have always always been the most gentle sensitive souls, when Philip Hoffman died of a drugs overdose, his friend said "some people are just too kind and sensitive for this world" I think most people with addiction issues are often the nicest and best of us all, that's why all the bull shit gets too much and we all know how booze helps with that. Life sure is fragile xxx

fated how are you today?
lathyrus good to see you again but not in a good way huh? Can you slow down for the rest of today, have juice or water in between alcohol if you cant stop completely.
Alison stick with us - its so fecking hard isn't it?

I have a very early start tomorrow being picked up by lovely boss so must not get into his car hungover and looking like shite. Need to be good tonight.

On the plus side, for those of you who have been following the saga of ds: a friend, a real live friend from high school dm'd him and said did he want to go round to play on his x box!!!! I could kiss this kid and I haven't even met him yet. We haven't actually got as far as going to the house but the invitation has given ds a boost. Although he did say worriedly, "I hope he doesn't want me to go on Sunday because I contacted C (former primary friend) to ask him to come and play football in the park cos C's granddad died and I thought it might help to make him feel better." Bless his wee caring heart.

Ma your son sounds lovely, I really hope he is turning a corner :)
Sorry to hear about your uncle guggs
Hope your feeling ok today fated?
Alison I really identify with drinking moderately one night and feeling in control, and then it all going to shit another night. It's all a learning curve.
well ive had about 5/6 units so far this week, plan to drink moderately tonight and no more for the rest of the week. Have a busy few weeks coming up where drinking opportunities will be limited however I need to be on my guard against this. Perversely because I can't drink often I'm probably more likely to 'make up' for it when I can...

Thanks ma, got a pint of lime and soda, so that's the next hour sorted. One hour at a time

Well done Lathyrus that can be the hardest thing to do, to stop drinking once you've started. Lime and soda is my favourite thing to drink - clean, cold, refreshing. I always have loads of soda in the fridge, and I keep fresh limes and lemons around - better than lime cordial.

fated how are you this evening? What plans?

Thank you baby and Annie

sweetLathyrus I always just white knuckle the first few evenings- bath,bed,book- stupidly early. Then I buy chocolate & other treats to bribe myself through the next few. Good luck and keep posting.

ma 5 nights was bloody good- well done.

You know we are all doing well just by being here and talking or reading about this illness /habit. The biggest barrier to break through is understanding that we have an unhealthy relationship with booze at all. I've often read posts on here while drinking but I know that when I am able to that the bus will be here to help me get sober again.I find it hard to be around people who have no idea that they drink in an unhealthy way or who get stroppy with me because I don't drink. So in a long winded kind of all round the houses kind of way- we are the lucky women (men,dogs,beings from another planet,whateves) who have realised that we want to stop or slow down,however long it takes. I've had a few slips and I have no doubt that I have more to come but I have had very little alcohol in the past 2 years compared to the 18 + that preceded them.

I don't know why I stopped posting, and then reading, but I do know that without the support of this thread and the wonderful babes, I went back to bad habits and worse . So even if I slip up, I am going to stick with the bus.
Definite early night tonight Gugs. Nice to still see familiar names, how is everyone?

All the better for seeing you sweet we'll stick together eh!!! We all need each other on here, we all have something to bring to the party, though obviously not wine!!

ma magic news on ds, he sounds like a fine young man xx

5 days and feeling good but not sleeping well, ah well Rome wasn't built in a day (or 5)

Love and hugs to every single fabulous one of you...

Well said guggs your so smart xx

It's good to be back Baby

Just reading back over the threads I missed to find out what I've missed, and for inspiration

we are the lucky women (men,dogs,beings from another planet,whateves)

guggs ok MIFLAW is the men, obviously I'm the being from another planet, just wondering who you think are dogs.....????

Hi I'm new and thought I'd say hello. I've been struggling with drinking for some time. I drink every day, and recently have had several binges which have scared me into wanting to change. I'm not sure I want to give up alcohol for ever, but I know I need some time out to think about what and why I drink and how it makes me behave. Great to read your posts - there are some really inspiring thoughts.

ma I'm right chuffed for your boy. You raised a nice lad, a thoughtful, caring, human being. He deserves all manner of good to come his way, truly he does.

guggs wise, wise words. Much needed.

Hello everyone, hope your night is going well, I'm on day 10. This will be a hard night as I'm off the whole weekend. I don't have to be bright eyed and bushy tailed first thing. I might take LittleLab to the river tomorrow, check on the flowers I planted for GentleLab when she died last year. It was her favourite place, and I feel her all around when I'm there.

I planted lots of butterfly and bee friendly flowers, I hope they are growing. It's one of my happy places, so peaceful. I sometimes sing when I'm down there, I can't sing for shit but I love belting out a bit o Judy Garland. The dog inwardly cringes, I'm sure.

I'm waffling, I know, but it keeps my fingers busy...

baby I keep waking up at 4am ish. It's a right bugger isn't it? I struggle to get to sleep again but then I could sleep for a week when the alarm eventually does go off.

I could sing you to sleep. If you don't mind a bit o Judy and promise not to wince through the flat bits.

wry you fair made me smile, cheers mrs xx

Hi petunia welcome to the madhouse, looking forward to getting to know you xxx

wry dogs are not such great singers themselves so I think that GentleLab would just join in with you and then enjoy the peace once you've left

Peony welcome. I guess that for many the thought of giving up alcohol for ever is awful, and it is what has kept us from doing anything about it for years. So that is why we all just take it one day at a time (ODAAT). For some that is a sequence of single days, or 2 days, or 4 days or weekends only, or high days and holidays only, or a month off, or just day after day after day until you find you've been sober for a year. And it's all OK. Whatever is right for you, is right for you. What we can offer here is some tactics that help when things are a struggle, and a bunch of understanding souls. Whatever is the worst you can tell us, someone has been there too, so there is no judging, but unconditional support and encouragement. And sometimes some tough love.

If you feel like it, tell us about you, the pressures you're under, and the things that 'drive you to drink'...

Ma, sounds great, so long as the DC have a few buddies that's half the battle. I really hope it works out, your DS sounds like a lovely boy. All well here (ish) but better than before. I managed to work my socks off at work and regain some dignity after the massive crash. I haven't drunk since and have stopped counting the days. I have only been on ADs and beta blockers for 4 days but am relying on them heavily. I feel like I have been given a crutch. Best wishes to everyone, this abstinence lark is hard work but at the moment the drunken nightmare is a worse option.

Thanks for your support. I've had a lot of upheaval over the last few years. My ex left me out of the blue, I've had insecurity housing wise, I've recently moved house and I've got a young son. I love being out and about with people, but that almost always involves alcohol. And I just can't do moderation. So I'm drinking every night (and indeed afternoon if I'm honest), and going day-to-day from minor hangover, to complete inability to function. It's just got to stop. I'm fearful that I'm going to do myself a serious injury, aside from the ever-increasing sense of embarrassment.

I did several dry weeks in January, but then something upset me, and I set out on a complete bender, which hasn't stopped till yesterday. I just wish I could have a couple of drinks without the urge to get inebriated...

Morning babes

sobersoc I keep meaning to congratulate you but my brain is quite elderly and I think I may have forgotten to say 'YOU ARE FAB'. How do you feel? Is it wonderful to have got so far?

petunia That's exactly how it is for us (however you wish to define 'us'). When I drink I start small and it very quickly gets out of hand. I hate the feeling of the booze controlling me,but that is what happens every time. There is nothing you can't say to this bunch of loons on the bus. How about an af day today?

venus well...I do have my suspicions...I COULDN'T possibly name names.totally will if paid in chocolate

pat45 I'm glad things feel a little better,sounds like you've had a horrible time at work. I'm sure it wasn't a situation you wanted to be in. If it helps then day 4 is when the worst of the cravings start to bugger off.

wry Cheerfully howling your way through a song or two is one of the pleasures of life. I love your 'voice' and your connection to joy- that brilliant sense of humour is worth more than a million bottles of booze. Enjoying the scottish phrases- I haven't heard them before.

ma I know children who have left one school because they've had a bad time and have just done briliantly in a different school- no problems at all.

baby keep holding out for that sleep. I got back to it recently after my lapse and it is amazing. Actually,next time I'm tempted by the booze then I need to remind myself about that.

Good luck babes. Anyone got some plans for a great saturday night without the 'help' of alcohol? We have friends coming over,one of them doesn't drink at all and they are used to seeing me drinking soft stuff now. On sunday I will get up bright and early and drive ds & dh to the seaside to see another friend. All of that would have been impossible 18 months ago.

morning babes, our lovely guggs you are a tonic, your posts are so wise, kind and full of life, your a tonic without the gin.... I'm at creche with DD2, then taking her swimming then I'm going riding (horse riding you filthy babes). day 6 of the rest of my life and feeling great, slept all night xxx

Morning Babes, feel shocking this morning! which is a good thing! I can concentrate on not wanting the headaches, sweats and rank breath for my first AF day, and that big bag of Maoam Joy Mix had better watch out!

Baby, Guggs is not just tonic! she is really good Fever-Tree tonic.

Ok, so, I need to plan out my afternoon, not nearly so interesting as it could be, DH is away at a conference and DS is off out with friends, so . . . Need to do some shopping, but think I will treat myself to some M&S superfood salad (the nutty one is amazing), that will keep me out of the kitchen, and our local M&S is designed in a way that I don't have to risk the wine aisle to get to stuff I want. Then a bit of pottering in the garden (might even treat myself to turning the compost heaps, yes it's weird, it's my favourite job!), bit of ironing then film with DS this evening. Tomorrow DS and I are doing a Sky Ride, so I need to be fresh and sober for that, and I have to pick DH up from Gatwick late on Monday, so CANNOT DRINK anyway, and that should get me off to a good start.