The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Getting Ready For The Golden Sights Of Autumn In Search Of Sobriety.

[Mouseface]

Hello everyone, I'm Mouse :) and this is the Bus I've been on a while now!

It's filled with a variety of drinkers. Those that do, those that don't, and those who are desperate to STOP but hide it, or embrace it and get the help they NEED.

'Help' in whatever form works for them, your friend or you. Be it AA, a Local Community Alcohol Counselling Group, your GP, your family/friends, this thread or even a combination of all of the above!

You have to want to stop drinking more than wanting to breathe.

I know that right now, that may sound like a ridiculous goal.

They got sober, One Day At A Time then came here during the process to chat about it, discuss their feelings, but more than anything else, their experiences HELPED OTHERS TO BELIEVE that they too could get dry.

They might not get dry and stay dry, sometimes they'll be lying about their consumption, fooling themselves as well as others

BUT when the posters do get dry for good, come back and post to help others with their tricks of the trade or just to say 'I did it!!' my heart jumps for joy because that person, poster, Brave Babe has gone through hell and back, lived to tell the tale and now wants to share that with the rest of the Bus to see if one simple trick or technique will put them on the track to recovery, sobriety, to the life that they want to lead :)

There's two saying that have appeared to stick with us -

1. • The Vulnerable Need Our Support, Not Our Judgement
2. • Alcohol Fosters Inertia

We all have our own reasons for starting to drink 'too much', we all have an excuse don't we.... we all have a "but....."

Well, as I say to Nemo (who you will get to hear about ) - goats butt!

And for those of you who want to know a bit more -

HERE IS THE MOST RECENT THREAD

AND THIS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, OVER FOUR YEARS AGO!!!

See you soon x

all this talk of flirting and eyes-meeting-across-a-crowded-room has made me wistful. Unfortunately my distractedchap has gone completely AWOL (petrified I will dig out my old night-vision goggles)

His twitter is set to the highest level of privacy, he never posts on forums, blimey anybody would think I had a history of stalking! I only ever hacked into his Amazon account once

don't apologize alias I was being facetious and stealing your nc because I am hopelessly crap at nc.

Hope all is well up there. Can people tell when you stalk them??? Because god that would be embarrassing for me.

Good morning and good night!

I have been pulled back onto the bus from my lurking position. How did that happen?

Today babes is day 136 AF. I just checked. I'm a living, walking miracle.

Good night xxx

crabby you can check out anytime you like - but you can never leave ...

soc 136 days is fantastic! Well done.

Can someone tell if you're stalking them? It depends how you go about it... if you just start ordering books from his own Amazon account, he might assume he bought them by mistake.

If you obsessively google his name, in various combinations with address/workplace/hobbies and interests; google his friends names to see if they mention him; google his colleagues charity fundraising page to see if he ever commented or donated...

If you then pretend an interest in the same charity, and put a link on your Facebook so that - were he to google you back (not that he would, cause he's moved on ) he'd see it and think you had something in common... that probably counts as one step away from getting a restraining order. [sigh]

indie is 50 on Friday. Shall we throw a bus party for the old tart?

Evening, tis me, Mouse

I had just written out a lovely long post, about how great you all are etc................

Lost the lot. Feck :(

Anyway, hello to the Bumpaliscious one, I do hope all goes well with you lovely, I don't know if we've met or not, excuse me if we have, my head is broken and all crumbly currently, and I'm waiting for the 'real me' to come back from wherever she's trotted off to.

I'm hoping Bali for a nice, relaxing break from the real world, and you know what? I have a feeling that is exactly what's happened here.........

actually I am getting increasingly worried that she isn't ever going to come back

So, my gorgeous little Nemo ended up having a CT and an MRI which we didn't expect all in one go because on arrival, we were told he was only down for the MRI so when he'd been gone for 2+ hours, the sickness I'd started to feel and the flashbacks I was having were unbearable.

No-one told us that they had changed their minds

Anyway, he is home, safe and we'll know the extent of his Scoliosis in a few weeks with a bit of luck. He was so brave but didn't sleep last night as had nightmares about past operations, which is par for the course unfortunately.

I better get myself sorted and Nemo to bed soon, meds first and then hopefully some sleep as he has to be in school earlier now. They have awarded him a place in a special learning group that 'boosts' his other areas of work.

We're so happy! He is struggling with the 'basics' but can tell you the exact wrapping paper his favourite Christmas gift was wrapped in 2 yrs ago!

And on that note,

See you ALL soon, sorry not to NC everyone, you are all ace, those who have done a dry day, week, month or year. Or even just so far tonight! Well the Fluffy Unicorn done!! xxx

Yay for nemo and hugs for mouse
Dd2 is 21 tomorrow. My crazy haired singing baby is a crazy haired singing babe. Dd1 and Ds are still making the cake, much to Dh's fury as it should have been done by now and Ds in bed, so am hiding in the bedroom! The cake is two layers,white chocolate and raspberry and the inside packed with sweets. The idea being that when dd2 cuts into it, a lava of skittles,maltesers,buttons etc will flow out! We shall see.

Sounds ace Ma :)

Isindie - not long now. You don't look your age for sure! You are gorgeous!! xxx

Night all, DD is off school poorly but Nemo is going back tomorrow.

Night all, I've all caught up on paperwork and reading/letters/book bag stuff so he can go back.

Stay say all. xxx

joey I don't think that you have thought this online stalking thing through.......

Mouse what a big day you have all had. Hope you and Nemo (and poorly dd) all get a peaceful night's sleep. Xx

baby you too lovely. Have no idea why the nightmares are so bad but sympathise that they must be exhausting. May the sleep fairies let you dream soothing things tonight. X

Isinde Fabulous at 50! Get thee gone Mr Wheeze so the birthday girl can enjoy Friday to the full.

Ma the look, the wink hope your babe enjoys her cake and her day today.

Why the work changes seem very unreasonable, hope your boss takes your feelings seriously. When presenting your case try imagining you are speaking on behalf of a deserving friend - sometimes fighting someone else's corner feels easier to do. Good luck chick.

Soc our very own star! Love your journey and your encouragement xx

Spanna big nudge in the ribs and smile to you babe!

Waves to Crabby, hope and blondie and any other babes hanging around the bus stop

Day 6, low carb being sabotaged each evening with a bowl of cereal, never mind, have so far resisted a tub of salted caramel ice cream.

Night babes xxxx

Morning all.

Mouse - oh, poor little bug with his nightmares. Still, it doesn't sound like he could have a more loving mum to take care of him

We have chatted, but very briefly and not memorably Thanks for your good wishes

Cheers for the warning isinde . The last time I was pregnant we were decorating the downstairs loo and I got really, hormonally enraged by the wallpaper not coming off properly. DH took over after I had stopped shouting and calmly did the rest of it . . .

ma, that cake sounds phenomenal! What a lovely surprise.

soc - 136 days!!!!!! You are amazing.

joey, DH googled me after we first met (my maiden name was unique, it used to be the only one on FB), and was highly confused to find my name in the credits of an obscure academic article about plant biology. He told me about it later and I realised that I'd been credited for my work as a humble lab tech many years ago - I had no idea.

My married name could not be more ubiquitous. I share it with a slightly skanky model who does 'glamour' shots and so am utterly Googleproof.

I am 6 weeks today. The hospital have moved my scan to the 6th (they didn't have my exact dates and adjusted it after I called them) so we now only have to wait 11 days . . .

Yesterday I had a massive craving and ate a Ginster's pasty and a sausage roll at 11am despite having had porridge for breakfast . I'm hoping it's the pregnancy, otherwise I'm just greedy!

fingers crossed for you phrase
distracted chap is rather well known in his field so googling him brings up a lot of stuff....and pictures....

joey love the cyber stalking tendencies..

DEP joy? Is that a reference to a huge crush on Johnny?

You are lovely, babes you really cheer me up!

I like the Ginster's fairies. Though I feel goblins would go better. The pregnancy fairies could ward off the Ginster's goblins and give me nutritious things to eat

I used to have a Thing for Johnny. Not so much nowadays.

phrase if you still had a thing for Johnny's you wouldn't be up the duff!!! (Baby is grunting loudly with laughter while sitting alone in the garden, reinforcing local rumours that she is infact a lunatic) xxxx

Baby I hope you were rocking backwards and forwards

spanna how did you know?????

I am sooooooo up for a bus party on friday!!!!

Mouse pleased everything went well my love, xx

Ma Hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow, big milestone, everything's so shiny and fab at that age, long may it continue for her, the world is her oyster! xx

Inde Get your twirl on for Friday, and thank you for my bosie, ((((((((((rightbackatchabosie))))))))))))) How did your chest x-ray go? have they given you anything to ease your pain? I used to go out with a lad from Jarra/ow. He was 10 years older. I was 21. And from the sticks. He was the Michael Hutchence to my Kylie. Opened me eyes a little to things he did.... that and that was my first look at bright red pubic hair. Fair turned my head, them. I was fascinated by them. They'd be grey now. xx

Phrase 11 days, awww. I'm that excited for you! x Did you try the sleep bra? x

beaches I'm not sure I got my point across as well as I could have done. I was having major problems with the shiting computer, he confused me further by staring over my shoulder and pointing out my shiteness. Upshot was I had to take myself off for a cry. Anyhoo, now only have two extra late shifts on that week. Better than I expected, but ashamed of myself for breaking again. Big fat hormonal menopausey mess at the mo, and on second day of beautifully timed migraine so not at my best . Your tip helped me immensely, I imagined it was Little, I'd fight to the ends of the earth for her, and since it affects her too, perfect! xx

baby you made me xx

spanna oh lovely lass, how are you? How is your new job going my darling? Are you enjoying it? Tell me about your day, does it make you smile? I hope so, my love, I hope so. xx

joey today for breakfast I had some Chalmers butteries. The ones with bacon bits in. I am going to beg Aitkens to try their hand at them. That would be perfection itself. I don't like the cheese ones, and much as I adore marmite, I don't like the marmite ones. Marmite or cheese on them is different. . Thought of you, and I would have shared. Honest. xx

I am eating my mushrooms on toast. I have cooked the wine off. It was only one of the tiny M&S bottles but I tipped the rest down the sink. I think if I start tonight I won't stop. Best press post before this disappears, xx

Hi babes, had a bit of a moment today, last night I dreamt I was drinking and I woke up this morning with a thumping headache feeling sick on the couch, for one horrific moment I thought "baby, what the hell have you done!!" Then I remembered I was on the couch due to dh's snoring and I infact had caught the same bug which is taking down my entire family one by one. Imagine feeling relieved to have caught a bug!!!! Have spent the whole day feeling like I have a horrendous hangover but so utterly relieved I have not had a drink. When I thought for that split secondi id passed out drunk on the couch, my whole body froze with dread and then flooded with relief that I was simply poorly, how sick is that!!!

phrase I'm so so happy you got your scan brought forward, please take it easy and i hope and pray everything is going to be ok. Forgive my vulgarity earlier, think the solpadol made me a tad zany.

Hope all babes are safe and well, it's awful quiet on here xxxxxxx

guggs you ok honey?

Phrase have an extra x,

I think I need to do another computer course. I have always just worked with specific systems, and need to build general confidence I think. I did Computers For The shit scared Terrified, so think I may now need Computers For The Useless. Swiftly followed by Computers For The Cautious.

If not I fear it may lead to Wine For The Whingy.

Sorry lovely wry x posted, as always your posts are witty and warm, you give me a ready brek glow, I imagine in RL we would be great friends and gallop through fields leaving the menopause and that wine bitch far behind us..,,xxx