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

Morning babes, back on Day 2 today. Overindulged on Saturday night.

Isn't this bus fab, you can come on saying you've had a drinky and no-one slams you for it. I don't feel a need to run away and hide like other places I've posted. Anyhoo, ww got the better of me on sat, I was a bit annoyed with myself as I didn't even like it that much, perhaps a tinge of guilt in drinking it. I am however chuffed to bits that was one bottle all week, not five! Yes there have been a few shorts too but still, I'm reckoning my unit total is under half the norm for me.

So, it's day one again. You're all an inspiration.

popcorn keep posting. Took me a million attempts. And to have these fab babes to keep coming back to is amazing. Any day AF is good. X

Day 1 for me again . Don't know why I drank last night apart from the fear was on my shoulder regarding the working week and the ever rapidly advancing juggernaut of the joblessness train. Have put on weight as when not drinking am eating too much, and exercise schedule out of the window! But I have you lot, the DCs, books and friends and trash TV. Always trying again . for you all x

Day 31. Feeling fat and lazy again. Called in sick to work - swollen tender glands? In neck. Should have used the time to read/crochet but am just wasting time surfing the internet

I just feel ... lethargic and depressed. Not drinking does get easier, but there's nothing to look forward to.

I always love waking up with a clear head joey with no regrets from the night before. But you probably feel too unwell at the moment to appreciate that.

Take care of yourself, wrap up warm and if you want to do nothing, then do nothing. You are listening to what your body really needs, rather than just responding with alcohol and that's something special really, even if it doesn't feel like it right now x

faire Yeah you're right, at least I'm not medicating with alcohol! But I feel lazy and lethargic all the time (not just when ill)

looking yes Twitter is a great time waster

Hopefully you will perk up joey but some of us (me too) just don't have a lot of get up and go. I think it's just nature. I find it really hard to be energetic sometimes so I just go with the flow and rest a lot

For example, dh is cooking dinner and I'm trying to crack this quiz - this thread

If anyone wants some distraction, have a look. But be warned, it's annoying. Grrr

wry get yer mitts off the luscious mrmouse. He's mine!
popcorn keep at it. I never have any successes to post but still gets lots of encouragement from the babes.
The evenings seems so long and dull without a drink. I am full of admiration and respect for those of you who clock up the days AF.
Looking forward to my trip to London on Wednesday, despite my big scary meeting. Wonder if I'll run into anyone I know there?

faire I'm allowed to be lazy? Without self-hate and recrimination? I've literally never considered that other people "just don't have a lot of get up and go" and that's normal?!!

ma I thought Distracted Chap was abroad? Or do you count London as 'abroad' ?!

Well it's normal for me joey and that's all I need to think about. I've got friends who cannot sit still for five minutes, whereas I can amuse myself for hours reading, doing puzzles, sorting photos, watching tv, playing computer games - all the sedentary stuff.

Guess that's why I struggle with my weight sometimes but I do try to make healthy choices and get out and about whenever I get the urge (which is not that often)

I don't do any sports regularly but I do like walking if it's dry. Beaches, hills, forests, lakeside walks all appeal to me but going to the gym is my idea of hell.

There are advantages too. I never, ever get bored, I don't always need company, I'm good with small children who like to potter and investigate under every stone, I'll sit and natter with old folk or, well anyone, really. And I always have the kettle on

Oh, and I luuuuurve my bed which is probably why I love those hangover free mornings so much. No sweaty, thirsty drinker's dawn for me, no sireee

Was probably a sloth in a previous life or something

joey he was abroad and came back for some meetings. He is going back abroad again and not flying from London, oh no

Well had a blip - work related - back AF free again - gah

Thank you hope, aaaaaah, you're like a hot water bottle for me, you make me feel all warm and cosy. Like the big chair in the lemsip ad. Little and I look smashing in our smocks, although at this precise moment in time Little also needs the Nappy Of Nastiness. She has delightful haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Cue trip to the vets on Saturday for bloods and x-rays. Nothing horrid to see on either thank god, I was a big bubbling mess. She was so weak she couldn't walk at all. I think she's turned the corner though, but gotta say, it's been messy....

Sorry that your job is causing you so much pain and upset me dear, you can't see me but I am waving my magic wand for you. You're caught between a rock and a hard place, aren't you? ((((((((((fullfatbosies)))))))))))) xxx

Hi obrigada, how are you lovey? Well done on day 2! xx

popcorn well done me dear on the 'just the one', tis an improvement eh? Happy day one to you petal! No judgey knickers on here, although you'd probably judge mine. Feel so fat I have my comfy ones on. Nice not to have cheek creep. xx

soc ahem. I borrowed your Smock Of Smug. Sorry about that..... I'm returning it, it may or may not have a stray dog hair or two on it...but it's been thoroughly inspected for diarrhoea. xxxx

joey how's the Christmas crocheting campaign coming along? Are they kits yet? Go with the kits....so much easier! Take it easy, keep yourself hydrated and rest, rest, rest. Your body is telling you you're run down lovely. at London being abroad! It'll feel like it for me, I'm off there tomorrow for a very intensive course, if it's anything like last year's, I'll be exhausted with all the thinking. I barely made it past 8.30pm before conking out. 12 hour days. I don't do think. I do do. Hope you feel better soon sweetpea, don't go back to work until you're fit, or it'll knock you down twice as hard. ((((((((getwellsoonbosies))))))))))) xxx

Faire I dursn't even click on that link, I get so hopelessly sooked in by things, I remember getting caught up with a Tetris game just before my exams. My sister gave me it to take my mind off things for a bit. It was the devil's toy. I am v nosey though, so may not be able to resist... I love a walk too, blissful just watching the seasons change, a new plant pop up or the start of buds in Spring. I love Jilly Cooper's The Common Years. It's one big dog walk. Heaven on a page. With a tidge of salaciousness thrown in xx

ma oh my. Oh My. OH MY!!!!! Is that an innocent face I see before me? Are your pants a bit hot? Smouldering maybe? Oh wait...it's you that's smouldering! xxx

70 pick yourself up, give yourself a wee dust doon. It's just a blip darling, just a blip. Are you okay?

Big bosies to baby, guggs, faith, pick, venus and co sorry for not NCing everyone, but I really must go to bed, very early start tomorrow, xx

Day 9 today I'm getting there, bit grumpy but relieved not to be on my drinking treadmill. Facing life's realities through sober eyes is always a bit of a shock. DD2 is driving me mad, she is being very demanding (other DD1 isn't getting a 'look in' with me at the moment) The pressures of being a single mum with very little support is starting to take it's toll but at least I'm not blotting my reality with wine It's my long day today, nine hours straight, which doesn't seem alot but always knackers me out . I'll be making Christmas cards with me old folk today

Wry have an awesome time in London and super well done for your cocktail afternoon, you did good girl you should be 'well proud' (said in my south london accent) What course are you doing lovely? sorry you've probably said, but I missed it

Joey I know exactly what you mean about being bored. I hope you're feeling better today

Ma you'll knock 'em dead in this here meeting and the prospect of seeing handsome one sounds like fun

Nuff I can relate to so much of what you said. I also love my bed, I really do like the 'clear head' in the morning. The stark reality of being sober still gets to me though Your posts are inspirational, thank you x

Beaches come out, come out whereever you are must be getting a bit nip nops over there now. Lovely autumn colours? hugs lovely x

Baby giving you a big squeeze x

Have a good day everyone sorry not to NC you all, must get up and get going xxx

Faire that quiz is hard! Much more so than the last one. How many did you get? Right, off to workplace of misery now - back later tonight to catch up and nc you all xxx . Day 1 again here. Am crap atm, sorry.

I got all 20 hope but I asked for more clues on the thread and might have had to google a couple It will kill an hour or so if anyone wants to bat away the ww.

Spanna thanks for your kind words fellow bed head

Hey up chucks! I am on the train and I have just refused a free drink. You heard me, free alcohol. The couple opposite are tearing into theirs with gusto the fucking shits and I am sipping sparkling water.

spanna darling girl, how are you? Christmas cards! I love making Christmas cards! Can I come and join your gang? I'm doing a relatively subtle one this year, I got a perfect snow paw print photo from Little last year, all glinty in the winter sun, she injured her claw a couple of weeks before so has one claw missing from the print y My CPD is for my previous job, I'm keeping my hand in so to speak, you never know what's round the corner and I like to keep my options open... Fracture diagnosis and other orthopaedicy stuff, fracture management etc and a few other bits and bobs. Should be good

Last year withy Christmas cards I got a bit heavy handed with my glitter and shit, it all got a bit 70s and ran away with me a bit so subtle is this year's buzzword. Although I'll miss my cutting and sticking...

faire I've tried that quiz and I could only get 14. I'll go back to it later when I've stopped scowling at the folk opposite. Free alcohol. Who knew. It's bloody hard, and I'm being so good. And he's rustling his newspaper quite unnecessarily and I grumpy. It's so hard when it's in your face, I will rise above it. I knew the train would be hard anyway, but this is torture... Xxx

Disclaimer: I know I'm the shit. They are being normal holiday going folk and I'm the train grinch.

What's the name of that program? The new normal? I am the new normal.

wry you're not shit, you've done brilliantly to resist.

That sounds ridiculously tempting Why, hats off to you for resisting and hope you find solace in the fact you aren't battling with a groggy head throughout your day abroad .

Spanna You are a treasure and I really appreciate all the mentions pumpkin . 'Nip nops'! Yes, we have had our first snowy day but nothing has settled yet and the autumn colours have all but blown away now. I am actually on day 7 today but I am never quite sure if I am going to get to the next day at the moment I really want a clear month before Christmas but old saggy tits is bugging me. Still, I am here on day 7 so I am winning . I would also like to be in your gang making glittery, sticky cards today, couldnt think of anything nicer to be honest! Sending a bit of support your way, doing all the parenting stuff on your own is tough. Dh is away in the US this week and even for that short time, dealing with everything and having no nearby support is challenging. Anyway, once again babe I am snapping at your heels! Keep on trucking x

joey and Wry a month+, you babes are AWESOME!!!

Soc I love your posts/journey. I do get that reading about people drinking is hard sometimes. You provide a shinning light for us though . I was also wondering if you started the writing challenge?

Love to you all hope, Ma, guggs, baby, faire, phrase, obrigada, 70, anne, popcorn, mouse and anyone who may be lurking xxx

Afternoon babes, waves to everyone. Day 3 for me today. Wry, I love reading your posts

I do know that's Dh being away is NOT the same as being a single parent

I walked away and realised how stupid that could have sounded. In my clumsy way I meant that it does make me think about how much harder it would be if I had to cope with everything on my own. Xx

Don't stress about it Beaches, as a single parent for the last 17 years I knew what you meant

Thanks obrigda that does make me feel better. I was all but ready to wear the dungarees of dorkiness! You are doing really well this month, well done you