The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Kicking The Wicked Wine Witch Where It Hurts! Mwahahahahahahaha!

[Mouseface]

Hey, I'm Mouse, welcome to the Bus (aka Gerald!)

We're a mixed bunch of folk, some have been here for a while, and of course we have some new additions too. It matters not one jot how long you travel with us, as long as you get something from it.

No matter your story, your needs, your fears and hopes, you CAN come on here and talk. You can cry, scream, rant, let it all out and not be judged for anything. Ever.

We've all been so very low, some have hit the very bottom of the rock, rubbed the bruising better and picked ourselves back up again but sometimes, you need a helping hand or someone to listen too.....which is why we're here, sharing our experiences, or just reading each other's and nodding as we click along.....

The support here is unconditional. :)

There are two banners down each side of Gerald, our super duper Bus saying -

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

We have lots of food on board, but mainly Opal fruits!!! They tend to be anything other than green, as they get snapped up vair fast indeed!

If you would like to know a bit more about how we got to where we are today, you can read these threads.

THE PREVIOUS THREAD

THE START OF THE JOURNEY

Hope to see you soon :) x

ma stop thinking about distracted chap tee hee xxx

Evening all x. - Day 33 today :) - just watching gogglebox - x

70 just behind you, done 28 days. Well done us!!

Also watched Gogglebox - disappointed not to see Amelia this week #pumpkinprincess (sorry I've just gone completely mad on the Twitter this week... I'm now Following all the stars - Gigi the daschund even has her own Twitter account!)

I love the Parkers x

Evening everyone, sorry I didn't check in yesterday, I spent the night at my friend's in the Arseend Of Lovely Nowhereness admiring her new horse..

spanna ooh I adore a Big fat Tasty, I'm such a fiend for them I boycott McD's when they replace them with the special editions. And I'm first in the queue when I see the signs up again in the window.

anne my old landlady used to get that crap from her tenants too. One removed an entire kitchen! When I left, I repainted everything, skirtings, ceilings and all and put in new carpets as I promised I would do. She let me have Gentle there, and I promised that it would be pristine when we left, and it was. Lovely tenants do exist, I hope your next one is as grateful as I was to have a lovely home. xx

joey *ma reckons I should boff the barman at the cocktail afternoon... xx

baby oh man am I glad you sound a bitty better today, you can do this you gorgeous girl you! We are right beside you, shoulder to shoulder, I'll carry you if I have to, yup. Yes I will. Haud gaun darling, xx

obrigada woopwoop for day 7! xx

faire, I've had an AF Friday evening too, but cheated as I was working. Hope you've had a good 'un, xx

ma I have a can of Magicool by my bed, then I get a free steam bath as it hits my sizzling skin. Shiting hormones. Hopefully when I have my appointment I'll be able to give you some helpful tips xx

I love a bit of Gogglebox too, 70 I'm still up there with you and joey although I won't deny it's been hard on occasion. xx

mouse leaving you some lovely Comte for some Croque Monsieur, (((((bosies))))))) xx

Off for some v posh cheese on toast, up early tomorrow so best have an earlyish night, xx

spanna Oops...forgot your xxs.

You get an extra bosie along with my new improved Sherpa skills.

I managed to get through the day without spilling therefore I have mastered the ability to find my mouth with my new found navigational skills.

Little is shaking her head as if to say that doesn't count. xx

Quiet on here today! What are you all up to? Same old same old here but off to sleepover with friend tonight, so looking forward to that.

Not a whole heck of a lot! Need to get off MN and clean this house of mine. Today needless to say is another day one - God even I am getting bored of this groundhog day.

I am too fat for my clothes again so have to seriously do something. If my clothes are suffering I am only imagine how my liver and all my other organs are doing. Right that is it I am off to clean the house.

Good luck to everyone today.

Hi babes, just looking in. Will be back tomorrow, busy right now. Not AF this weekend but not on the wine . Party last night and tonight but moderating. Off to get dd's phone fixed now... laters taters xx

rushing in and out - evening all - worked all day - now going yo do the ironing - see you al laterxxxxxxxxxxx

Day 22. Bored and fed up and Novemberish.

Feeling self pity- I'm so fat and lazy - normally this feeling would lead to "might as well drink anyway, since I'm so useless" instead I'm eating my body weight in chocolate.

Hi babes, fell down on day 3 last night. One glass of white wine, then a large one of red. The funny thing is I really enjoyed the first half of the glass of white wine, after that not really but I continued on to the red even though I did not want it....it's like the bottle was there, so no way was I letting H have it all, but I really did not enjoy it

I've found out I'm working boxing day this year, I'm sort of relieved to. Last year I didn't and we went to dm's where the drinking starts from lunchtime. The following day was grim. I told dm and she said 'nevermind you can just stop drinking at five, you can still drink'. I'll be driving at 7am!! I really don't think it's a good idea and it's kind of frustrating that when you can't or don't want to drink people look for ways around the 'problem'...

Good Morning Ratbags

Hugs to everyone having a rough time. It often goes hand in hand with this addiction. Alcohol provides such a blessed relief from life. For a very brief fleeting moment and then it just adds to the pile of shit.

Half way through November and I'm feeling a bit better. October came and along with it good weather and a couple of weeks ago I was feeling really grim about been sober through the summer, but the weeks tick over and I go to social functions and lunches and order sparkling water and it's all absolutely fine. I still have my down days and woe is me, life is shit etc.etc. But I'm far more able to cope because I'm not adding guilt and alcoholism to the mix.

So today I feel absolutely positive about seeing all this shit through (party season). In fact I am feeling absolutely smug and insufferable. HA.

If WW comes knocking at your door send her down to me. I'll deal with the bitch.

love to you all
xx

Day 6 almost done feeling much better and less grumpy. Glad I'm over Day 3, couldn't quite get there recently, feeling determined to keep going AF. I am kicking that Witch's arse and ignoring her whispers, keep on keeping on, keep on keeping on, my mantra for now.

Happy Saturday to all you lovely Brave Babes

Soc you should be really proud. I'm so glad you're feeling so positive Have a great Sunday honey

Evening, 'tis me, Mouse

It's only SIX DAYS until my walk/hobble/crawl..... I have had a very bad attack today and been in bed until about an hour ago and my poor DH has had to look after Nemo all day, walk the dog, sort DD but she's been in to help me to the loo.... get me water, Nemo has asked for me all day and DH has just been amazing.

My back just seizes and my leg and hip does too so I'm hoping that this is it, and by Friday I'll be okay? Please?

joey - I know how you feel re the chocolate. I went bonkers when I stopped drinking. I went to 11st and 2lbs. I spent days sobbing at my continual weight gain and then thought bugger it, drink and get fat, eat chocolate and get fat, so I have compromised, a controlled weekend of a drink or two and on a Sunday after or with the family dinner, we have a desert etc

Clever huh?

I've had lots more water and also I'm trying to keep active through the day which is why I'm not here as much, washing takes so much out of me, if we didn't have a washer with an 'iron less' thingy, I'd be fooked!!

It's hard to find a substitute but you'll find one. The first drink I have on a Saturday is a half bottle of Becks Blue, mixed with diet lime tonic, then the same again. Then with dinner, we'll share a glass of wine or two at the most.

Keep going, keep posting, you've done it before and you can do it again. YOU ROCK BABES!! xxx

Hey Annie - nice to see you :) it feels like we've missed each other for ages. I'm glad you're working this year, drinking until 5am did she mean? WTAF? Even if you stopped at 11pm, you'd still be over the limit to get to work for 7am. You need at least 12 hours to clear your system of booze, thing is, you know it wouldn't be just a bottle spread out over the night, it would be a bottle or four. So good on you for seeing the positive in this :)

Wry - your posts really are keeping me upbeat, especially as it's now only eight days until the first year anniversary of my wonderful Mum leaving our lives, dying in my arms, taking her last breath, her eyes closed, her skin pale and fragile. I knew long before that day that she'd go, that she had cancer. I could see it deep within her and prayed that I was imagining it but I am a firm believer in my own gut feelings.

Anyway, it's late and my meds are starting to kick in again so I'll be back tomorrow. Sleep well Babes, sorry not to name you all, HELLO to each of you fabulous lot. Sleep well

Morning babes, day 7 here but must admit last night was tricky!! I will be back later to NC, I feel I've been so selfish, all me me me. All your support has boosted me so much and I want to show my support for you lovely friends too. Life is hard x

Hi Mouse, hope your feeling better soon. My post was a bit misleading, my DM means drink until 5pm but I know if I did that I'd still feel rough the next day, and possibly be over the limit (I'm a short arse!). And if I gave myself a time I was allowed to drink till then what's the bet I'd drink faster during that time? I think not drinking at all takes away all the 'bargaining' which would spoil it anyway.

A couple of years ago I went out for a xmas lunch and didn't intend to drink. I ended up getting a lift there and got a bottle of wine with two other women. We each had a glass and when we were seated I wasn't sat near them. They ltook the bottle and I swear I spent most of the meal wondering if they'd pass it down to me when they refilled I sometimes think the thinking about drinking is as bad as the drink itself!

mouse great to see you babe! I will donate to your walk but have to hang on till pay day as am skint! Good for you.
alias keep at it. You are doing brilliantly.

Hello Babes Day 30 for me today (I got my days mixed up yesterday - I think it's been a month)

mouse good to hear from you!

ma how are you doing?

Wow mouse that sounds awful, being stuck in bed unable to move all day. You poor thing, hope you're feeling a bit better today. And yay for Mr Mouse looking after you all

joey those 30 days have seemed to pass in the blink of an eye for me. How about you? Did you find it got easier after the first week?

I'm OK joey
Still drinking .

Hello everyone! Well I did my cocktail afternoon and I did it without the benefit of alcohol! I had a great afternoon, I didn't miss it -too much-- and I came home sober and clear headed. Spent the early evening doing CPD, just a webinar but it all counts. Then Little and I watched War Horse. Blissful.

ma I didn't shag the barman. If you'd seen him, you wouldn't have either. Looked like he could do with a rubdown with a Brillo pad and Vim. I was hoping for a gnarly, his life written all over his face barman like Bryan Brown in Cocktail. Nup. never mind. I had Guy Martin on the telly tonight so that filled a hole so to speak. I'd show him speed. xx

joey fit like quine? I'm at a month too! Also fat and lazy, but I'm past me sticky bit, perhaps it's time to add a diet into my mix... a lass at work is doing the 5:2 thing. I might try that. She's lost 3 stone doing it and looks fab. xx

Anne yy to the bargaining and the solutions. It makes it all that bit harder, doesn't it? xx

I'm on over Christmas but off New Year. I plan on holing myself up with a pile of old B&W films and M and S party food. Summat I can bung in on a tray with minimum effort and eat with my fingers. I will be overflowing with Coconut water, but not M&S's as they haven't put it on their 3 for a fiver (like the rest of their juices) since the introductory offer. Even their glittery pomegranate is 3 for a fiver. It costs the same as Vita Coco! I sound a bit like the stereotypical tight Aberdonian, but I'm not! it's the principle!

Hi soc! I did it! The first outing of the party season! If you're taking on the WW can you also take on M&S's CC (coconutwatter crone) for me? Perhaps make her see the error of her expensive ways? love to you, and big bosies too and know that I bask in the glow of your Smock Of Smug xx

spanna! You didityoudidityoudidit! The 3 day target reached and breached! Wowsers sweetpea! So so so so happy for you!

Evening, tis me, Mouse

I've just been informed that I'm going to a wedding soon so I better get into shape and soon! Apparently Nemo is marrying one of his classmates, she's lovely, blonde hair and very pretty. She's about a foot taller than him, but hey, I'll stand him an upturned orange crate!

The thing is, he really loves Becky but she's marrying someone else so he said he was sad but like this other girl. If only it was so easy hey? :)

Joey - I see what you mean now, but you'd still be rough and more than likely a bit over the limit too so it's not worth it - trust me, I know!!

Well, I'm looking forward to my voluntary work again tomorrow - it's Bingo day!!! . To be totally honest with you, if I could stand/sit etc for more than 15 mins, I'd love to do a job like this on a permanent role, or nursing. Give back, Pay It Forward.....

The only thing I have at the moment is the role of Vice Secretary on the school's committee and I love it but it's not enough, you know..... and then it can be a bit hectic around Christmas and Summer fairs!

Anyway, bed time. Hot chocolate and cookies are my new nightcap xxx

Aw, enjoy your hot chocolate and cookies Mouse. And best get shopping for that ‘mother of the groom’ outfit soon, hey? Sorry you are in pain and having a hard time at the moment. Wishing you all the best of luck on your walk next weekend (will PM you xxx)

Wry massive congratulations on your AF cocktail afternoon. Am full of admiration, do not think I could do that atm. You are a shining star amongst a bus full of stars (shades eyes from dazzling starlight glow of Wry). Here, take this smock of smug and wear it with pride. (also the doggy coat of smug for your staunch supporter, the beautiful Little)

Joey - don’t know whether to thank you or curse you (a bit of both I think ), but am now following the Goggleboxers on Twitter. Love it, but ffs I waste enough time on trash TV, especially now I’m a Celebrity is back (think this is going to be one of the funniest series ever, with Tinchy and Gemma). I used to be a serious person who watched Newsnight and read the broadsheets and Booker nominated novels. Now I watch Waterloo Road. can't even be arsed to attempt Wolf Hall, and follow ‘slebs on Twitter (sigh). Both I and Michael Burke are on the slide I fear. (how the mighty have fallen in his case, how they have never risen in mine!!) Have you seen Nigel Farage is going to have a political debate with Dom and Steph pre-election? I feel like the country has gone mad….

Baby you are not selfish, never, never, never. You are wonderful and we are all here supporting you. I have not had manic depression but do suffer with anxiety and I do feel for you, and think about you a lot. Hold on, lovely, and keep checking in with us – or else we will track you down and throw Barrie the Squid through your living room window!!!

End of another weekend here (and everywhere actually, I don't have my own time zone ). Two parties at which I drank but did not get remotely drunk, slightly let down by finishing some left over cider this evening, for no reason other than that ‘it was there’. Not drinking this week though. Have difficult week ahead, the job loss juggernaut is rolling on a bit faster these days, have to decide whether to reapply for job despite the fact that it has been moved across the pennines adding about 4 hours of commuting each day, or whether to move into the job surplus pool. Crappy choice - I would have no life if did the former and no money if I did the latter. And sadly no third choice option . Unless one of you can really send me a

Sorry not to NC everyone, but you know I luffs you all. Got to go to sleep now … here’s wishing us all a good week xxxxx