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, its a lovely day where I am and hope so where you are. Soc, congratulations, that is some achievement. It sounds a bit up and down with most people at the moment. Maybe we would have a better chance if we weren't doing it alone. I mentioned earlier that I went on AD and beta blockers and had good chat with my doctor. That really helped me and I intend to go back to my doctor regularly. I am hoping that telling someone else makes a difference.

I drank beer last night. I always drink wine and love it but it is ruining my life. So I decided to have a few beers. The first couple of glasses were nice but I hate the taste so that really was it. I am quite literally too terrified to get a bottle of wine. This is the first weekend in years that I am not hungover. I am not experiencing some radical change which I thought would happen. Its the same and a bit scary being alert all the time. I have to do something instead of just stopping drinking. I am back to my walking but am eating vast amounts of food which I justify because I am not drinking wine.

I hope everyone gets through the day somehow today.

Soc 50 days! You amazing babe. And you sound so upbeat and happy

Back from our cycling, 11km including getting to the organised bit around the city. Abd oh my giddy aunt does my arse know about it !!!

No vino rewards for me though, reclining in the garden with lemon grass and ginger fizz, thinking the effort had better bloody well show up on the scales tomorrow.

Hope you're all enjoying the sun.

Hi all.
It is such a struggle isn't it? We just have to keep at it, banking any successes and not letting the failures drag us down. You are all doing brilliantly, keep posting new babes and one day we too might be worthy of the mighty socfish.

Ds is in the kitchen baking scones......

Hi, Ma, my 12 year-old DS has to be physically restrained from making scones some days - I would be enormous if he wasn't.

Successfully past my own personal witching hour, but the headache is back, and I think I must have been clenching my teeth cos my jaw hurts. Best get on with the ironing I suppose.

Really struggled today - DS being a shocker. Was so close to throwing towel in. Drank tonic and tried to kid myself there was gin in there. Desperate for beer. Early to bed.

Evening, tis me, Mouse

I'm about to embark on my last week on the PMP (Pain Management Programme) and I can honestly say that I have NEVER been in so much pain but also NEVER been able to deal with it on such an even keel too.

The only worry I have now is my right pelvic half/hip. It's like a grinding and gnawing pain that I've had for a year now so I need to get it looked at. I can't walk without my crutches and I have my PIP (which is just like the DLA I currently get) Those on it also tend to fail their claim so I'll dispute every claim, again and again and again. I will not be told that I am not disabled if I'm not!

Anyway, I still miss my mum so shall be doing this for her as much as me. Make her proud. Make her smile, see that I tried, as much as I could. I love her and little miss Pippa :)

Right, time for bed.

Love to you all, will keep you posted in the week xxx

PS - Headaches are normal at the start, in between and at the end.

Ride it out, best you can, take some paracetamol and drink lots of water, water really does help, I promise.

Night all.

Mousey xxx

Hi Mouse. Good to see you. Sorry you are in so much pain - am cheering you along on your pain management path here

Soc - bloody well done on the 50 days - go you!!!

Am in sidecar at moment. Work stress has done me in. Am having anxiety dreams every night about work and, after lovely weekend away with ds, actually want to cry at thought of work tomorrow, hence wine. Not a solution I know

Am very jealous of those of you whose ds make scones. I almost died of embarrassment watching my 14 year old ds try to butter toast in the hotel this morning - think I may do too much for him! Whereas dd has been able to confidently knock together a batch of cakes with no fuss since being 8. Hmmm, think I need to rethink my parenting.....

ma, Ooh I love a scone, he cooks as well?!? You have a wee star there, I tell ye! xx

mouse, so pleased your course has helped. You know what? I'm sure your mam is smiling from ear to ear at her wee girl hoofing Pain's ass. You bet she's proper proud of you.

Petunia, this is going to sound daft, but it's helped me a couple of times. I put 1/3 bitter lemon in with the tonic. Gives it a bit of oomph. Slice up the lime and add ice. And a straw. Makes it look the part without doing the damage. xx

Sweet, I'm ironing too. Back to earth with a bump. Watching Family Guy, getting frizzier by the second with the steam...

Hey venus and Pat, how are you both, have you had a good day?

I have been at the beach all day, we had a fab picnic, mocktails (all prettied up with brollies and stirrers and salt dipped rims and LittleLab came too. No dog restrictions, first time she has been at the beach. So many precious memories, the joy on her face! And I'll remember every second as I was sober. Weekends are usually my weak point. Her face! Her little wee black sandy hairy face!

The stuff of happy place.

Wry, not too bad thanks. You sound like you have had a nice day. Not being hungover is nice. Best of luck to everyone for this coming week. Heading to sleep x

Fantastic achievement soc. You really are sailing now. So glad you are feeling like youve gotten a handle on the not-drinking thing. Im sure you look as good as you sound in your posts.

Morning All, quick name check before I start the working week in earnest.

Peony, but you did it, you resisted, go you! That is a real achievement.

Hope, I know those work anxiety dream all too well, but try not to let work take the shine off your lovely weekend. And don't be too jealous of DS baking - you should see the state of the kitchen afterwards! I did have some fantastic images of perplexed toast-buttering though .

Wry, what a heavenly day, a happy lab is a joy to behold, hold on to that happy place. But ironing at ten to midnight - too hardcore for me!

Hope sleep was good Pat.

And Mouse, pain is so exhausting, and it is coming at you from all sides, physical and emotional. I hope and pray that that you can get some respite soon. In the meantime, if your assessors turn down your claim, give them a good whack with one of your crutches.

Right, I feel good this morning, DH is home this evening - 8 days I have missed him so much. Sleep was better, woke up a couple of times, but managed to go straight back to sleep each time. Have a planning meeting at work, and loads of admin to get through before driving to the airport to get DH , so today I WILL NOT DRINK, and I will catch up with you all later.

OK, so, a bag of crisps was not the best (most grown-up) choice of breakfast, but it wasn't a G&T. Win!

mouse good to hear from you, and I'm glad the course is helping you.

Day 2 for me; actually I was going to drink last night, had bought some wine and everything - but for some reason I felt a bit 'off' (tired, period cramps etc) and just didn't fancy it. It's amazing to think I've managed to get to a stage where I can just not bother; to recognise that my body really doesn't want it!

But I know that the wine is still there, and it would be hard to do that 2 days in a row so it probably will get drunk tonight. (it's only 2 mini-bottles though)

Hello everyone. sweet thank you lovely, I know no-one here will judge - I think I wad just projecting what is like to say to people in RL! Dh has really backed off this weekend even though I've drank a lot which I really aporeciate; his judgy-pantsness makes me feel crap and like drinking even more!

I did drink last night but have woken up thus morning feeling really positive, I always do better starting with a new week and I don't have any social situations involving alcohol planned. Today is Day 1.

alias I find it impossible to not drink if its there. Is lovevto get to the point where I have a bottle in the fridge for when someone pops round.

wry I love your celebration of mocktails! Sounds like a fab day!

pat so pleased that you're coming out the other side of the work stuff.

mouse amazing how you're coping with the pain. I suffer a small amount of occasional hip joint pain and its agony, I couldn't bare it constantly.

Good luck with start of new week everyone. I'm aiming for a run tonight and am starting a new book.

Hi spring you sound fab, what book are you reading??? I really need a good book to read, any ideas fellow babes???!! A freshly laundered bed and a really good book becomes an essential tool in burying that wine witch...

Hugs to all my lovely babe friends, you guys inspire me every single day xxxx

quick check in as work is quiet
glad to hear of so many small successes and battling Babes
hugs for mouse

has anyone heard from indie

Hello all, quick check because I have loads to do before I go and get DH.

Had a bit of an "ooh I'd love a cool glass of Pinot Grigio" moment after a particularly long meeting, but it passed, (fortunately, whilst I was at work with no access) and feeling stronger now.

Baby, I like a bit of quality historical fiction! Hilary mantel for the stylistic challenge! Sarah Dunnant for the research without the technical difficulties of Mantel, and the sheer sumptuousness of the Italian settings, and Victoria Hislop for a bit more recent, gritty history. That said, I've spent most of the year working through the Game of Thrones saga.

Also started 'Viper Wine' can't remember the author, because it sounds interesting on Woman's Hour . . . That'll teach me to have the radio on in the office, some of it is really good, but then it just gets weird . . . I didn't need Jonathan Ross and Michael Parkinson interviewing an 18th century explorer for no apparent reason, but then I never really got the whole Magic Realism thing either, I prefer my fantasy properly fantastic!

Just had a break through, Babes, in the kitchen! cooking! AND Eddie Mair on the radio, all with a Nothing & Tonic

I had dinner made from yesterday so minimal time spent in kitchen - well done on the break-through sweet.

I'm in bed, cup of tea, reading Starter for Ten, very funny. Day 1 done!

If we are talking about books, I'm reading the Night Circus again. Delicious!

Ooh some of those look interesting - I fancy the Night Circus ma have you read it before? (Ps. Have you been on the Scottish thread?)

sweet which Sarah Dunant would you reccomend first?

2 great books I've just finished reading: Longbourne, and Age of Miracles.