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

Hi gorgeous, fabulous wonderful babes, as you all predicted caravan was totally fine, went with dh and dd2 and though the weather was crap I was happy to see my lovely mate and he was amazed at the change in me. He is a worrier anyway to was relieved to see me more like my old self.

I went to the shop and met a lady I spoke to once before whilst half cut and dishevelled going for wine. We chatted a bit about her dog and she asked how i knew her dogs name, I said remember I met you last time I was down and she said, OMG you lo

Hi gorgeous, fabulous wonderful babes, as you all predicted caravan was totally fine, went with dh and dd2 and though the weather was crap I was happy to see my lovely mate and he was amazed at the change in me. He is a worrier anyway to was relieved to see me more like my old self.

I went to the shop and met a lady I spoke to once before whilst half cut and dishevelled going for wine. We chatted a bit about her dog and she asked how i knew her dogs name, I said remember I met you last time I was down and she said, "OMG you look totally different, I'd never have recognised you, I'd really never have recognised you, how strange" obviously she knows nothing of my problems but it was good to separate that "old me" from the me I am now.

I will be back later to read back properly but very briefly, thanks for your amazing support, wry love love love the hair, hate hate hate that wankbadger!!!

ma you become more fabulous to me the more I get to know about your background. Richard and your Dad are so lucky to have you In their life, as are we, and so is "sexy eyes" with those delightful Norks, closely followed by your sparkling wit ofcourse. Xxx

I'll pop back later to catch up but still sober and I luffs you guys squillions xxxx

Yay, big high fives baby. Glad you had a lovely weekend. You must be feeling great

Oh thank you baby
Well done you on going back and facing your demons. I think you are an absolute inspiration and you should be very very proud of yourself.

Richard and dad need(ed) help. What else is to be done.although it is more than dad deserves but even so....I can hardly leave him lost and bewildered and tearful because he can't remember how to set the alarm on his alarm clock.

Buggerations I lost a mamouth fricking post, don't you just hate that

So here goes again keep smiling Spanna......

I went back a few pages and can't for the life of me remember who was looking for quotes to put on their silver bracelet so here's one I really like...

'Life is an opportunity and not an obligation'

Another, that's too long for a bracelet

'Your health is bound to be affected if day after day you say the opposite of what you feel, if you grovel before what you dislike and rejoice at what brings you nothing but misfortune' Dr Zhivago

Wry I'm over at my brother's in the other part of Sussex about 2 hours from me. We get on sooo well and he adores his nieces (he doesn't have any DCs, not ever met the right person) he would make a wonderful Dad, it's such a shame We've just had a BBQ, yummy

Baby I am so glad you've had a lovely day, good I'm glad you met that lady and she met the real you. you are on a wonderful path and I for one love it xxxx

Isinde Warrior, oh yes babe. You are instinctive, fearless and above all a wonderful mother to your lovely DDs xxx

Ma I hope you have managed to get some 'you' time Bless your Dad, funny I feel the same about my Mum (who really doesn't deserve any of my love, but sadly I lost my Dad 7 years ago and she is all I have left, apart from my lovely lovely Brother)

Vicar glad you're loving you smock of smug

Beaches can you check in please, are you moved?? I hope you don't have problems with the equivalent of BT over there that I had. Mwah xxx

Will stop now otherwise I may lose this and it's long. Have a good evening all you wonder Babes xxx

Eccles well done babe - awesome to have done no alcohol whilst so much temptation going on. Just keep going Babe and when those days come see how you feel

Guggs are you still slamming? how are you lovely

Little how's your day been babe? x

Sorry more quotes

'If you are seeking creative ideas go out walking. Angels whisper to you when you go out for a walk'

Another, sorry can't help myself

'Nothing is more dangerous than an idea. When it is the only one you have' Emile Chartier

Sorry to quote you out ladies xxx

one more and that is it, I promise

'In a world where death is the hunter, my friend, there is no time for regrets or doubts. There is only time for decisions.' Carlos Castaneda

I love your quotes spanna Glad you've had a lovely day at your brother's! A BBQ too? Jealous here...I only had pasta and as much garlic bread as I dared without letting my back teeth float. xx

I am going to jump in with a quote of my own. 'don't waste precious time loving a wankbadger who doesn't love you back'. Wry Ha, that should actually be shouldn't it?

I have been playing with makeup all afternoon. I look a fair bit different, but not too shabby. Green looks very pretty indeed. I dare say the hairdresser used a top secret product to smooth me frazzled locks. Tomorrow morning I shall do it myself and will be channelling Monsieur Gummidge I suspect. Complete with

Isinde Rooooooaaaaaaaaaaarrrrr! Methinks looking misread me post, I'm sorry to be chortling but that little indignant and outraged post of yours made me howl! xx

looking I am the fat bloke. Not really, but very strong features and I look right like my dad. I'd look gey harsh without my hair and makeup for sure! Greetin. Still greetin. xx

baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew in my heart you'd be fine, what's not to love, eh? Everyone will be wow, baby is back and look at her go! I hope you and your friend had a wonderful time! And you got a bit of dog fuss in there, sounds like a perfect, perfect weekend! xx

I haven't had a drink, will def have to have a look for the Crabbies raspberry stuff, Vicar I'm only familiar with the alco versions. Did you enjoy your run? xx

Eccles your weekend sounded heavenly, you must feel fab, no alcohol, lovely sea air and exercise. You must be proper shiny now! xx

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllls forgot my picture.

Hey there spanna that is an awesome set of quotes,like it
No i'm not slamming doors today,in fact I feel pretty good and am enjoying this sober melarky. The ww always call though,has a little sit on my shoulder when I get hungry in the evening.

I remembered today that it was 20 years ago that the rot really set in. Before that I'd always enjoyed a BIG night out but that was just weekend drinking and I was young. At the sophisticated age of 24 I had enough money to buy a bottle when I liked and I lived with Mr aggressive Wankbadger (there are a lot of them about). I began to drink daily and that pattern was set until a few years ago when I questioned my drinking and then began to lurk on this wonderful thread.I drank for a long time and it will take a long time to undrink all those years.All good.

Actually,I mistyped 'wonderful thread' as 'winderful thread' and had a little think about whether I should correct it

baby well done. That is another thing you can put to rest. No guilt or shame,all in the past and done with.

Arse,I meant to say that my bracelet/tattoo quote will be: 'All will be well'
It's a saying from Julien of Norwich- sacred writings/prayers/mystical understanding? Not sure how to describe it but that is the shortened version and it means a lot to me.

guggs I like that one too.

And ma's One day I will.

I've picked up an old favourite book to read before bed. A dab of Yeats. I adore Her Anxiety, He Bids His Beloved Be At Peace and A Drinking Song. All strike a chord.

I am drinking coconut water like it's going out of fashion.

I tried coconut water. Its horrible. Got a guy weird texture.
OK, I have to get back on it tomorrow.Another bottle sunk tonight and all the good work undone.

I only like two brands ma, VitaCoco and M&S. The rest seem to have a weird aftertaste/texture. I can't remember the brand but there's one with 'bits' in. Like leaving your fizzy juice outside and accidently drinking beastie floaters.

It's not undone ma quine, tomorrow is another day.

it will take a long time to undrink all of those years * Guggs I can completely relate to that

accidently drinking beastie floaters Wry you make me laugh x

Nite all. I'm so tired (from doing what, who knows) but I don't think I'll be sleeping any time soon, eeeeooooo, I've got a little critter crawling over my screen

Guggs forgot to say I really like your quote

Critter wasn't a mosquito so I let it live

Morning babes Well bloody done everyone. Lots of fabulous posts here whether abstaining or not.

I had a good week-end. Still enjoying going to bed sober. That is clearly the highlight of my sobriety. Sad fuck that I am.

Having lots of conversations in my head about controlled drinking. I reckon it's the dangerous 3 month mark approaching. Thing is I KNOW I can't control my drinking. Why do I think anything will have changed just because I've abstained for a few months? Part of me feels like giving it a go just to show myself that I can't. But that is all my mad alcoholic logic talking. I never want to go back to drinking and equally never want to go through those first few weeks of sobriety again.

Anyway, fuck off WW.

Happy Monday gorgeous babes
xx

“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” (Julian of Norwich)

Whenever I read this, I also think of this

It is not exactly the belief system that I hold, but above that (or underpinning that) here is a man who faced immense tragedy and yet could see through it to say "it is well with my soul". We all face our own small (or big) tragedies, and the point where we are sober (however momentarily) and can say "it is well with my soul" is a truly momentous moment.

I think baby had one of those moments today - facing her demons and finding that it was, ok....

Ah sobersoc the thing is, if you are wondering about controlled drinking you should see that as a sign of something not quite balanced... Do you know any of your non-alcoholic / non-addicted / without a alcohol problem (choose your preferred term) friends who ever use the phrase "controlled drinking"? No. Because they don't have to control anything. They have a drink, or they don't. Sometimes they have far, far too much. But that drives them away from drink not towards it.

You know the sense of your sensible head, and you know the sneaky madness of the wine witch. And you DO have the wisdom to know the difference.... :)

Thank you venus you're too smart for words. Yes. I shall dwell on that. Non alcoholics do not EVER use words like "controlled drinking".

If it's going to be an effort for me to stop at 2 glasses of wine then clearly it's not going to work. And fuck me. If I have one sip of wine I reckon I will down 2 bottles to get that fix. And then regret it forever.

Can't remember who asked up thread about a bracelet. But I got myself one. I love it. It's very simple and says "Not Today" on the inside. I put it on every morning. It's a little ritual of mine.

So onward and upward and into my clean, crisp bed, sober every night. I am aiming to be sober forever. Today is Day 79.....it's a miracle.

Ooh, sorry Isinde, hee hee, must have got wrong end of stick there. Delighted you are not a fat bloke, I can go on imagining you as Boudicca, riding ahead of us in a chariot roaring at the wine witch! But now wry is claiming fat blokedom, which is puzzling as have seen photo so she clearly isn't. Can we now stop referencing them then, as have mental image of boarding the bus and being greeted by a load of men in overalls - and not in a good way, in a 'who turned this bus into a Carry On style works outing to Blackpool circa 1972?' sort of way

Ps well done on Day 79 sobersoc. That's almost 3 months! You need a very robe of smug with ermine trim and red velvet, forget the smock!