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

Thank you, Isinde, keep up the good work - hopefully the AF habit will be well and truly on its way before the jetlag stops helping - not that I'm wishing jet lag on you!!

Hello Trooper welcome on board, being tired is a big trigger for lots of us, and I am another lunch time drinker - I've got some great excuses for it . . .

"I'll have a drink now, because I won't sleep if I drink tonight" (Ha! it just means I start early, I still drink/drank in the evening!)

"I drink at lunch time because I am sophisticated and have a grown-up attitude to alcohol" (I'm not, and I don't)

"Bloody Hell" I made it through the morning, I deserve a reward, and a little bit of me time" (I've just made it a damn sight harder to make it through the afternoon.

There's loads, but I'm sure you have some good ones all of your own.

I'm distracting myself with interesting cordials - if they are weird enough and taste odd you can convince yourself they are alcoholic, because actually most alcohol tastes weird if we were used to it. Or I play games like, I'll wait ten minutes, or have a soft drink first, and the I find that the urge goes away, or- I was really just thirsty. Or I drink fizzy water with a drop of peppermint essential oil, it's refreshing, but has the added advantage of making everything else taste awful

And in drinks, lots of ice, treat soft drinks like they are special.

It's difficult with a baby, but if you are feeling the urge to drink, take five to post on here - not only will there be support, but you just put off the wine witch for five tor ten minutes whilst you were busy typing.

'If we weren't used to it'! Doh!

Waves to all, skulking at the back of the bus. I want to feel alive again but too many pressures, trying to ease back, like having a spritza rather than straight wine. Sadly can't wait for work to finish and crack open the cool Chardonay in the fridge, what a total saddo drinking on my own.This is no fun anymore

thanks sweet it turns out I had already read one (Sacred Hearts) I enjoyed it, so have picked up another (Birth of Venus)

Thanks sweet

(You are my twin)

Hi Blossom, rather than planning to drink the Chardonnay (and, boy, on a hot day like this, does it sound tempting), start visualising drinking something soft, with lots of ice, a slice of lime or lemon, a little cocktail umbrella . . . look at the picture you are building up around the wine and substitute something that will make you feel better in the morning rather than that initial numbing hit of wine.

And don't call yourself a saddo, because if you are, then so am I.

Joey, In the Company of the Courtesan was good too.

Trooper

sweet Thanks I will try, I think I just need to get my head around it, think I need to start by managing me drinking in a far more controlled way. Is that possible. Tonight I am going to do some gardening keep out of the kitchen

Good idea Blossom, do some deadheading and every time you cut, imagine you are decapitating WW - she has a long scraggy neck to match her long saggy tits!

Sitting in the garden, trying to read, but my brain is going at a million miles an hour. Really need to train myself to concentrate again.

Stupid thing is, I'm not even sure what I am thinking about, because there are so many thoughts - I don't seem to be able to get to the end of any of them. So:

"Brain, put up or shut up. Either get to the end of a coherent and productive train of thought, or let me get on with my book undisturbed."

That's better

Hi trooper welcome babe, I'm just heading out but well done on posting, your in the right place and the right time for you, be back for a chat later, big ole hug for finding the courage to post xxx

Sounds like exactly what I need, Isinde, and I can indulge my book buying addiction at the same time

Speaking of twins sweet your description of the wine witch sounds exactly like me!!! Also talking to yourself is the first sign if madness, I should know, I do it all the time.

sober from a land far far away you have inspired me so so much, I have followed your every post and watched the most FABULOUS version of yourself emerge triumphant, you have given me the belief I can do it too so thank you.

inside what can I say I just luffs you you splendid creature xx

SweetLathyrus, I am the same - my mind keeps racing in all directions, so I have taken Isindies advice to you and order the Mindfulness book!

Day 5 for me today, and today I will not be drinking.

Waves to all the other babes

Baby, I'm beginning to suspect we are triplets . . . or quadruplets or . . . 'babelets'!

And the internal dialogue is saying "Me, mad?", "No, it's not you its everybody else." "OK. Who you talking to? Are you talking to me? . . . "!

Thanks for the additional recommendation, Obrigada, I'm ordering it right away. How are you doing?

How is everyone doing this afternoon?

Afternoon you lovely loony lot

What wonderful advice and support

baby you are now my official guru and mentor,I'm going to ignore that fact that you have better things to do with your life. I'm planning on joining sw- just waiting for pay day. Sadly,if I can't drink I eat,and eat,and eat. I'm a shorty and have always been little- it has come as a horrible shock to be OLD and BIG. How did that happen? Obviously,I haven't tried not eating,that would just be ridiculous. How did that other vitamin you were thinking of taking go? I take B1.

isinde sooo good to see you lovely. 5 days? Fab news. I'll have a look on amazon at that book reccy.

Sweet please don't measure your sanity by the buses standards. They will be off the scale.
obrigada Well done. Anxiety is horrible a big trigger for me but it just gets worse and worse if you drink.
blossom let us know how it goes. x
Welcome to troopers and hi to joey and 70hours and all.

Guggs, I'm blaming the mirrors, all the shops seem to be installing the ones that make me look short and fat!

Welcome troopers and hi to everyone else!

Troopers my dh is often far from impressed. I know he means well but his comments make me either mad or defiant! He diesnt know I'm posting here, this is something I need to do for myself.

Today is Day 4. Dd was taken poorly earlier on today and as she was on the mend this afternoon, sun shining, I thought 'oh let's get a bottle as its been a stressful day' but I put that thought aside as I felt excited to be coming on here to say 'Day 4'!

Keeping busy...I picked up some knitting lastnight that I hadn't touched since October - forgot how much I enjoy it!

Go Alison, making not picking up such a positive decision is fantastic . Hope DD is feeling better.

Thanks sweet I really appreciate your positivity!!

Just a thought for those of us about to battle with the wine witch this evening. No matter what it is you use to distract yourself: movie, book, internet, face pack or phone call: you will not regret NOT DRINKING in the morning.

It always helped me to reconceptualize alcohol as not my friend, not my reward, not my escape. It made me feel bad in the morning, it made me more nervous and filled with regret. It made me feel bad about myself. Some reward and companion!
So banish that bitch tonight by whatever means possible.

Today, brave babes, I will not be drinking.

*I will be with my DS in the sunshine. Yaaaaay!!!

guggs I will always have time for you babe, I don't believe for a minute your old and big...,,, if it makes you feel any better I'm tall and big, well built some would say, between that and my blond hair and big feet and new long nails, I look like a bloody tranvestite!!!! With the size of my hands and feet if I were a man id be hung like a horse!!!

Allison your are doing brilliantly, I love that you were excited about reporting day 4, makes me feel special you care that much what we think of your efforts, your a champ

sweet these new modern day washing machines keep shrinking my clothes, only mine right enough, how bizzare is that.

Hi why obrigada and 70 and trooper xx

Baby, yours too. I'm starting to think its a conspiracy, the washing machine is old saggy tit's familiar!

Evening everyone, today I made me proud. The job I was dreading went really well, I felt like the old me again.

As I was just finishing up for the day, feeling lighter and brighter, my boss hit me with a sentence. A wee passive aggressive dig, just because he could. It shoogled my confidence into a wee crumpled heap again.

I made it home without weeping. I would give anything to stop feeling like this. Anything.

At what point do I just give up and just be the disappointment that they expect me to be?