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. Peter Capaldi's just phoned to see if I know where his Tardis is.

I pointed him in the general direction of Peru. Have a lovely evening!

Evening lovely ladies, you've made me giggle tonight. I'm lay in bed watching xfactor away from the evil ww, DH is working so that's making it a lot easier as he would probably have a beer.

wry whoever said you can't write needs chucking under this bus cos they are very, very wrong! Your posts are fab.

ma taking it at face value I'll say that's very nice getting breakfast in bed! I don't know your full back story, only the recent posts and the fact that wb is not a term of endearment round my way therefore am taking it is not a regular or expected occurrence!

I'm wondering if any of you are my neighbours since I can't get it into stupid dh's head that the bathroom window might as well be clear glass when the light is on

Cheating and returning hopes wave to all, I will get the hang of this, promise!

Thanks wry.he can't have the tardis back. I need it.
popcorn yeah, I'm in a marriage I have grown out of. But dc3 is only 12 and so I stay. And I drink.

I wasn't digging ma, just trying not to put my big foot in it cheering on breakfast in bed. I'm sorry your current reality is rubbish, it will one day be fabulous I'm sure, I believe my DM is proof of that, she's having a whale of a time now after years of WB-dom.

No worries popcorn. One day I will.
My friends Auntie Sheena cut loose from a 60 year old marriage at the ripe old age of 82. She is my inspiration. One day....

Evening popcorn how are ye? I haven't watched x factor much this season. Bed is the place to be on a November Saturday night. Warm jammies, bed socks and a hot water bottle are de rigueur. I also have a casting, gassy Labrador. Just as warm, but you definitely need a Price's candle.

I'm not in my bed, I'm on the sofa. Little's rear end has an urgency about it tonight. I've had to starve her so I'm getting the sad eyes and she's knitting with her eyebrows.

I should tape a couple o crochets hooks to those eyebrows. I'd get joey's Christmas presents finished for her in no time.

ma, you will, you ruddy will. And we shall drape the bus in bunting, and cheer.

May I recommend the Hotel Danieli for tonight's tardis jaunt? I stayed there once when I was invited to a couple of masked balls.

we never made it to the ball on the first night

It's very pleasant.

wry poor little, hope the guffy pup is better tomorrow. I can't share the bed with the cats, one is tuned to perma-purr and the other gets very offended if there is human in the bed as it clearly belongs to her! DH is the usual water bottle poor man but he is working so I'm sure a revenge freezing foot may wander my way when he gets in.

ma I bet she's having an awesome time of it, if I live to 82 I'm going do what the heck I want too!

Good on you for resisting the wine Anne. I am on day 7 Af, day 8 shred. Warning.. I did a double session last night (did level 1and 2 cos want to finish by 19th) and am in AGONY today. No injury, just muscle aches. . Not giving up though. Do join us Faire

Also looking for a little advice. Deadline to reapply for own job (one I don't like that has been moved to city 40 miles away) is Monday. Job form sums up everything I hate about it - load of waffle and jargon and is making me want to throw myself under a bus.

Not applying means I am surplus and either they will find me another role or I will be made redundant sometime next year.

Applying means I still might not get it (hence blow to self esteem and wasted Sunday doing form, especially as there is a candidate at my grade who is already based in the new office location) or I do get it and put myself out of running for other, possibly more suitable jobs and payout, which would give me a cushion to spend time applying for the right job.

Am paralysed with indecision. Am main breadwinner and my job is well paid. Unusually so these days. Kids still depend on me as WB doesn't earn enough to keep a cat. So to an extent my happiness doesn't come in to it, though know the job would stretch me to breaking point with at least 4 days travelling or in the relocated office. But it would look amazing on my CV as very high profile.

I need some advice before tomorrow. Have been turning it over and over in my head and still can't decide. No point discussing with WB, he doesn't live in the real world.

Help? Anyone?

hope I have whirled it round in my head. I am no expert, but have merely done a WWWD? I would be inclined to wait it out, I think the travelling would give you an extra dimension of stress which may tip you over the edge.

I once had a daily commute of 4.5 hours in total. I was treated so shabbily in that workplace, I didn't enjoy the job at all and the travelling time became a torment. I thought the commute would give me time to ease in and out of my day, but it didn't. The journey in became filled with dread, and the journey home made me sick with resentment. I wasted so much of my valuable time travelling to and from a world of unhappiness.

See, I think the solution is for your WB to pull his cocking finger out to give you some support. Emotional and financial. I worry that you will stretch yourself too thin, and that he will take advantage of that.

What sitting tight may do is buy you a little more time to apply for something more you. Something which will make you soar.

If I could wave a magic wand for you, I bloody well would do, in a heartbeat. Your happiness should come into it sweet pea, it should.

xxxx

Day 1 of several Day 1's I came a cropper on Wednesday night, had one of my Best Friends to stay, we only see each other once a year. Had a lovely day, evening and following day. consumed 2 bottles of cava and had a really good natter, bliss. Day 1 on Thursday, had beer on Friday after work, didn't go mad as I was driving and last night did a whole bottle of white to myself

I need to get back on track, Day 1 and I will not be drinking today

Wry the best advice about my children has come from people who have no kids I have 4 best mates and none of them have kids and I always listen to their advice as it is always right You could never offend me Sweet Thing I hope Little's bottom is behaving better today, nothing worse than a dog with a runny bum Hugs to you my friend xxx

Hope I'm with Wry I think you should hold on and see what happens, scary, I know, but that commute will make you miserable, if you hang on you will still be entitled to a pay out if nothing else comes up at your level. Go with the flow something will happen and it will all fall into place

Wry forgot to say I bought The Shell Seekers and have had my nose glued to it since

Baby you are so lovely. Yes the reality of not drinking and seeing 'real' life is bloody terrifying. I for one find it really difficult. Keep going Babe you're doing really well. Luff ya x

Beaches Babe how are you honey? I feel like cacky poo pants today it's so poisonous and make me so grumpy I need some encouragement to get past my first 3 days, get your pom poms out lovely

Why lovely to hear your news and I'm so glad you're still AF - You go girl. Squeeze your lovely boys from me, he must be getting big now. Have a wonderful festive season in the bosom of your family

I'm if you're lurking I often think of you and really hope you and your DC are safe and happy, If you can, come and let us know how it's going xxx

Guggs how are you? you've not been about for ages, how's it going?

Rural How are you? if you're lurking please say a quick hello x

Mouse congrats on your walk, well done sending you love and strength as always xxx

Ma hugs to you lovely x

Joey how are you? I hope you're feeling better x

Nuff loved your Phonics story, I LOL x

Isinde always good to read your posts for icecream

Soc quick squeeze from me x

Today I'm going to take it easy, need to go out at midday to feed 88 year old man for an hour, he's such a love, bless him and frankly I need the money. I succumbed to Gerbil Buying yesterday - yes I have MUG written on my forehead

Sorry not to NC you all, where ever you are and where ever you're at, I wish you a happy Sunday. Big love to you all xxx

No sensible advice for you hope. I love and desperately want to keep my job and have turned down two other opportunities to jump ship in the desperate hope we can make it work. Not sure now that was the right decision as we are on the verge of going bust and like you, i am the main bread winner. Its horrible isn't it, not knowing what to do for the best. Hope it all works out for you.
Today's plan is to walk off my hangover and then get this tip of a house tidied up.it looks like Steptoe and Son live here!

Hi babes, day 5, can't remember when I last got this far. The funny thing is I haven't done anything differently, my routine is still the same old boring stuff. Just keep reminding myself I'll be ill and bored if I drink :(

Hope, weighing up what you've said I wouldn't apply for the other job. The commute alone would kill me, and unless the position was just a short term secondment I wouldn't do it. One of my managers found her position disappeared in a restructure - public sector - she was encouraged to reapply for other roles, and has spent the past two years being moved from pillar to post taking on lesser roles, likewise with lots of travel x

Hope my sensible head would say apply for the position and add it to your cv, then start looking around for something better. But what really comes across in your post is that you don't want the position they are offering. I think you need to give yourself permission to take a chance. Don't make yourself miserable and/or ill trying to do something that you really can't face.

So, I guess, I'm with those who say leave it. See what else you get offered. Scary I know but sometimes all we can do is wing it. You might also feel a bit better once the decision is made and it's out of your hands x

Thanks for the advice babes. In my heart I feel you are right, but given WBs abysmal earning potential have let my head rule and filled in the form. It was ridiculously hard, but I am such a compulsive responsible control freak regarding family finances. Still not decided if I will send it off though - or may send it off with a proviso that I will only do one day a week in the distant office.

Took a break today and went to the local pub. Not to drink, but to see hundreds of Santas in vintage cars and on motorbikes and scooters, with a huge sledge filled with presents for kids at the local cancer hospital. There must have been 600 of them in costume, with decorated vehicles, all setting off in convoy to deliver to the children. I had a tear in my eye, I don't mind telling you all. Actually embraced the spirit of Christmas. I put my present in the sledge, and drank coffee and walked round looking at all the bikes and costumes and wonderful old cars and thought, yes, this is what it's about, not battering your neighbours for a cheap telly on Black Friday.

And with that thought I shall leave you all to a peaceful Sunday evening.

When are the Santa hat smileys coming back to MN I wonder?

Luffs you all xxx Mince pies and tinsel on the dashboard.

PS this is for you Wry and Baby. Horse humour.

Hey all. Nothing much to report. Just checking in. What are you all up to?

Eating pizza.

Hey hope. Don't get pizza cheese on the seats! Are we going to pimp the bus for Christmas?

Ooh pimping the bus you say? Mentally stashing tons of virtual lights now ready for a festive fare!

Going to have tea then watch x factor in bed again, you may all thing that sounds incredibly dull but oh no, I've decided to spice things up somewhat with a hazelnut options hot chocolate as a treat, my life is not boring without wine

hope, I hate my job, truly hate it and it has a massive impact on my wine consumption. My only advice would be not to do something that would make you unhappy, can you take a risk on temp positions if you do walk away? I would never risk these while in a secure job no matter how awesome they sound, however some of my best jobs started off as temps so sometimes it's a good risk. Good luck whatever you choose.

Thanks Popcorn. I am rubbish at taking risks. Am surprised I don't stash my savings under the floorboards since the 2008 banking crash. I think it's cos I have no family any more barring a (lovely, dotty, funny) old aunt and a cousin, who is fab but has his own wife and kids who come first, so I have nobody and nothing to fall back on. Financial security is a must for me to function and WB doesn't provide it at all.

Ma, God, yes we are going to pimp the bus. Get the tinsel, flashing Santa (not that sort of flashing, calm down at the back there) and massive baubles (again, control your minds ladies) and let's get decorating!!!

looking I love the horsey photo!

Hello spanna how are you doing?

ma shall we use all these opal fruit wrappers as Christmas decorations? They are nice and colourful

so wound up yesterday at my role as mediator between DH and DD. I've only previously used CBT to help with my anxiety and stress. So tried to use it to help with this anger and frustration. It did help clarify why I was so annoyed.

And then announced to them that I would no longer try to help them sort it out, and they were on their own. Warned them that they could end up hating each other, but it was stressing me out too much.

"Look at each other! Look at yourselves !"

And already I feel a bit calmer. It's not my responsibility any more. They can learn to communicate, and to compromise. Maybe they'll find their own way without me to guide them.

My point is that being sober has forced me to actual deal with problems instead of just drinking...