Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

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

999 replies

Mouseface · 03/09/2014 20:38

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 -

    • The Vulnerable Need Our Support, Not Our Judgement
    • 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 Grin) - 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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
dementedma · 06/09/2014 12:07

What to do next? Hang out more washing, go and visit dad, or clean the bog?
Is this it? For the rest of my days?

SoberSocFish · 06/09/2014 12:21

Yes, for the time being and drinking isn't going to make it better either. But it's very unlikely to be for the rest of your days. hugs to you ma.

ruralreynard · 06/09/2014 12:59

Big wave to all. So many new babes since I posted last.
I have been awol as drinking again after 23 days AF in August so Angry at myself.
mouse Brilliant news regarding Nemo Smile So happy for you all. xx
ma Know the Is This It feeling well Sad One day Ma One day....
Hold on to that and maybe for you that day is very close. I really hope so.xx
Sorry not to NC but have to be somewhere five minutes ago. Whoops!
Catch you later babes x
Day 1

Anneisnotmyname · 06/09/2014 14:31

guggs you lapsed last night after how many days af?! I wish I was doing even half as well as you :)

I've had about two thirds of a bottle of wine the past two nights - I know wine is my problem, I have alternatives in, but I keep going back to it. I'm having just two af nights a week. I really need to get a grip on it, I know all the strategies but can't/won't put them into practice. So annoyed with myself Angry

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 06/09/2014 15:14

I've spent an awfully long time as a drinker who occasionally manages some sobriety, and I'd like to be a sober person who occasionally drinks. oh boy oh boy did this ring a bell.

PhraseAndFable · 06/09/2014 16:37

er . . . in a 'that's how I feel' way, step, or in a 'rookie error' way? Grin

dementedma · 06/09/2014 17:28

Been to see dad. Had to buy him a new phone. The instructions are "Dial the number. Press the green button. Speak". There are only so many ways I can say this. I can't cope. Sat in the car and cried then went off a walk and saw not one, but two heron. They are my totem and always a good sign for me. Things will change. This will pass.

MaryMungoAndMidgies · 06/09/2014 17:53

Good afternoon all, I am on day 21. This is round about where I got a bit overconfident last time.

I have been riding again today, I needed some thinking time in the fresh air. WB told me he loves me again. I'm pretty certain it's because he feels me sliding away from him.

Little things I've noticed, which I was blind to before, is that he is incredibly mean. With money, affection, time. He called the other day to ask me out for tea, then asked if I was going to stand my hand. Odd thing for him to say, I just wonder if it was for the benefit of an audience. It's one thing he can't accuse me of, I always pay my way.

He repeated it so many times it set me on edge, just how is he portraying me to his colleagues? When he has called me from work before, it always feels like he is putting on a show, I am going to pull him up on it tonight. I have nothing to lose. The last time I went on one of his work's night outs, folk were a bit off with me. Sad I am almost positive I am being painted as someone who makes his life a misery.

There is a plus in all of this, being AF has given me a clarity, I can't blame the alcohol for giving me a skewed perspective on things. But, and here is the biggie, it temporarily blotted out how shit everything was making me feel. I go off food when I am unhappy, and turn to alcohol.

ma I'm so pleased your DD is off flying on her own, you must be so, so proud of her! But I tell you something, my thistle heided lass, one day it will be you. And I tell you something, we will all be here, cheering you on and sticking sparkles on your wings. One day we will ma, you know it, I know it, we know it. xx

soc ach Blush you know I forget myself when I start typing, I will try to rein in the Scottishness a wee bit, I keep referring to your list, it's been my 'go-to' of late, a reminder , a motivation and an arse kick. xx

spanna You okay? Thinking of you, hopefully you're taking it easy somewhere beautiful, and fluffing your wings up a bit. xx

phrase and pizza, I am also a closet lover of shite tv. Celeb Big Brother is my current chewing gum for the eys. Sorry I haven't formally said hello before now, Blush my laptop is still playing up. I should be in town today buying another one, but I couldn't be chuffed with crowds today. I love First Wives Club, Steel Magnolias, etc, all films I have on DVD, but as soon as they are on the tv I'm compelled to watch them from start to finish. And pizza? You can do this. It's not about getting there on the first day, you need to find your feet, get a feel for your new surroundings, find your bearings. xx

Now then guggs, how are you today lass? One night is not a big deal, and you know that. Paint your wobbly bottom lip red and stand firm, next week is a milestone, but isn't it a great testament to you? Not being a mum, it never fails to impress me how people raise children, starting them off on their journey into being the person they will be. I don't know how you all do it! Have you anything nice planned for tomorrow? xx

little how are you today? Glad you and your DD had a nice day, how lovely, just to sit out in the garden and enjoy her birthday with you, xx

inde How did your impromptu coffee morning go? Did anyone have to drink out of a vase? Smile Hope nobody wiped their noses on your curtains, xx

venus hope you are managing a bit of me time in between being Very Busy. Have you Monday afternoon off for a bit of R and R? xx

Righto. I am going to post this before it disappears into the ether. I'm still sitting in hairy jodhpurs, and I've got to say, my arse actually looks a little smaller. I lost 2kgs on holidays from all the walking about. I was pretty certain the massive breakfasts and frequent visits to the vans for chips and cheese were going to be my undoing, but no. Life is sweet. Thank god for Little and horseflesh. They and you lovely lot, will save me from sucking up to Saggy.

Just one thing to sort. I'm working on it. Hopefully I'll be able to check in later when he falls asleep.

To infinity and beyond..... xx

MaryMungoAndMidgies · 06/09/2014 17:59

ma it will pass. Herons are a lovely totem to have. We have a fair few on the river, they sit so quietly, taking everything in and just as you are away to pass - pow! Quietly but with great power, up they go.

They soar. And so shall you. So shall you.

dementedma · 06/09/2014 18:18

Oh wry I love that bit about the soaring.maybe that's why I loved my gliding experience so much. I am trying to save up for more but if I lose my job will need the money for bills etc.
I love heron. I love their independence, their solitude, their fierceness, their don't fuck with me attitude. Maybe I have an inner heron just waiting to soar.....one with purple spikym hair!

MaryMungoAndMidgies · 06/09/2014 18:21

You know it smells lovely... Grin xx

eccles after last time, I know I can't stop at 'just the one'. Wish I could, but I fear that particular day is a fair way off yet. xx

rural Hope you've had a fine afternoon, 23 days in August is an achievement, the garden is lovely, the birds are singing and wine and
Pimms take on the persona of Mrs Doyle's g'wan, g'wan, g'wan G'WAN! of monstrous proportions. You did well lass, you did well! xx

MaryMungoAndMidgies · 06/09/2014 18:24

aww hairy baws. I meant looking and marfisa. But you all know that. They've not morphed.

I loved Morph. I hope the powers that be made him a plasticine penis to be proud of. May he be making hay and being shiny.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 06/09/2014 18:25

phrase in a, that could have been me speaking kinda way Smile I know I probably should give up completely but I harbour a wish fantasy that I could learn to just enjoy a couple of drinks and stop rather than going whey hay yes, pass me another!

MaryMungoAndMidgies · 06/09/2014 18:28

Sorry I meant hirsute testicles, soc, honest Blush

dementedma · 06/09/2014 18:52

Grin at hairy baws!

guggenheim · 06/09/2014 20:33

Flowers you bunch of loons are the most wonderful,amazing and insane people alive.

Day one done.

dementedma · 06/09/2014 20:37

I knew the herons would bring something good..I knew it Grin

Also Ds has made chocolate salted popcorn.

MaryMungoAndMidgies · 06/09/2014 20:44

Well done guggs!! Have you had a good 'un?

ma do you loan out your ds? I need a caterer. Grin My arse cheeks are fused to the sofa and I have a yen for cheese on toast with Lancashire sauce. Although could also go the popcorn...

aliasjoey · 06/09/2014 21:28

"Wry" !! Aitkens rowies! Not the plasticky supermarket ones either

"ma" you have a totem?! Wow. I want a totem!

SoberSocFish · 07/09/2014 00:05

wry don't apologise and please don't stop. I love your posts. xx

SoberSocFish · 07/09/2014 00:41

I wanna be just like you actually Smile

babes another easy Sober Hangover Free Sunday morning here. Temptations are rife at the moment and going to get a whole lot worse in the lead up to Christmas and with the weather improving. I'm tightening my seat belt and stealing all the green opals. I'm just going to ride this out. I've decided to be a little anti-social this summer if that's what needs to happen. I will never ever just have one glass of wine.

Sorry I'm not nc. Half of me thinks it's time to partially get off the bus, but I love it here too much. You're a bunch of fucking nutters. xx

spanna41 · 07/09/2014 07:48

Soc please don't go anywhere. You are our inspiration Smile Have a great Sunday x

Blush I'm in the sidecar, can't seem to get my act together Confused I drank on Thursday, I drank more on Friday a bottle and I drank a bottle yesterday, what the fuck is wrong with me. I don't seem to have an 'off' button and my desire to be AF has withered and I'm in 'Fuck it' mode. I could use job stress as a reason, I could use DD2 (who is currently driving me mad) as an excuse. But it is my 'reward system' for completing one month AF how pathetic is that Even after I finished the bottle yesterday I had to get my PJs on so that I couldn't go to the shop (well I could of, but it would have taken more effort) and it was only 6pm Blush My flat's a mess and I just can't be bothered to do anything constructive Sad I seriously just think 'fuck it' 'fuck it' 'fuck it' Blush

Phrase I am also very partial to a Green Opal fruit, they are popular on the bus !!! Keep going Babe you're doing really well Smile

Wry lovely one. I need to prize my head out of my arse, it seems to be stuck up there Hmm WB does not deserve you one single bit. How did your chat go? Day 21 is awesome darling, damn fucking brilliant (sorry have sweary head on today) Your riding sounds really therapeutic and you've lost weight, how fab is that. What are your plans for today, once you've kicked WB out? Grin

Ma great news about DD1 Grin I hope you have a 'be kind to yourself day' planned today x

Pizza stick with us Babe, you can do it Smile

Beaches how's your weekend going darling?

Rural great to hear from you Smile you had an awesome run of AF days. Well done, you know you can do it Grin

Baby are you ok lovely?

Hope please check in, hugs to you lovely one xxx

Have a great Sunday all lovely Brave Babes hugs to you all, sorry not to NC everyone (too scared of losing mammoth post) x

Sigma33 · 07/09/2014 08:08

Hey girls

Glad to have found this bus, I very much need it :( Always hated my Dad's drinking, but now I'm turning into him :( well, a female version anyway :(

Sig

spanna41 · 07/09/2014 08:25

Welcome Sig you're in the right place. Keep posting you will get some good advice and much support from the lovely Babes on here Smile

dementedma · 07/09/2014 08:41

Welcome sig. Hopefully the breakfast trolley will be along soon..
spanna oh that sounds so very familiar! It fact it sounds like me but without the AF month behind me. I have had 2 days Af this week and am back in fuck it mode. I wish I knew the answer.
Would an opal fruit help?