The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Driving Through A Sober Winter Wonderland.

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse

Welcome to the Bus, he's called Gerald.... he takes us up and down and this wondrous land, searching high and low for Babes in need of some support, a warm place to sit and chat, and to have someone to listen to them.

So, grab a seat as we swing by your way. There's lots of hot drinks, food and fleeces, places to just be and places to sit around and chat if that's what you want.

We don't judge, because we've all be in your shoes, be they stilettos, wellies or crocs!...

We're just us, we're just honest and we just do what we can to help, if we can, when we can. Let's try and have a Merry Christmas without getting off our faces this year.

Here is the very first, emotional thread if you would like to see where this all started

And the last thread if you want to keep up!

Where are you all? Just because I've moved into a castle for the night, doesn't mean I won't talk to you.
I visited the state apartments today. Oh my life! I actually gasped at the splendour in some of the rooms. The big state dining table had 5 small christmas trees - small, not tiny- as table decorations!!!! I was so born for this!

Fine then! I'll just drive Gerald off all alone tonight.

ma you were born to wear a tiara

We're on the right track ? what, he's a train driver?

ma, is there room in your sidecar for two? Not that I need it tonight, as nothing stronger than an Earl Grey has passed my lips aaaaallll day! Well done me. Still not sure I want to give up permanently, but after being honest with the Drinkaware app this afternoon and calculating how many units I really drink in a week, then as long as I have some alcohol free days, and drink less on the other days, that has to be an improvement! Here's hoping I wake up in the morning a bit shinier than I did this morning and practically every other day this year

Morning Babes! I have a vision of Ma lounging in a princess and the pea type bed, with lackeys gently wafting her awake with scented fans.
Isindethickofit I have a beautifully manky dressing gown which no-one is allowed to see, audio conference or otherwise. Hope it goes well!
Move, how are you doing? Sounds like we're in a similar place. Slept better than I thought after first booze-free day, might try and have another one today.

wild of course there is room in the sidecar. At least there is when indie isn't in there!
No being wafted awake with scented fans unfortunately as bloody night sweats woke me up every hour anyway. I look like shite, more like the castle ogre than a princess.
Day delegates arriving soon - some seriously important peeps. God knows what I am doing here, fronting it out for my poor wee struggling business. Am all fur coat and nae knickers. Speaking of which, where is wry?
Must go -

Waves to all babes xx Day 5 here, still counting days although I don't know if that's the way to go for me as I am not a daily drinker - I am a binge drinker. Once I start I find it hard to stop. I am everybody's best friend when I am drunk, but as I suffer from a bit of social anxiety this can be very painful when I am sober as I cringe visibly when someone says hello to me after I have been drinking - coz I just think "What the heck did I say to them when I was drunk" times 1000

Hi babes, Day 6. Obrigada I'm also not sure about counting days as I'm not intending to stop drinking completely, and whilst it's almost a relief to tot up some af days, I then feel like a failure going back to day 1. I try to keep track of my weekly units as well but that's not so easy when your sharing a bottle.

Well done Anne!

ma bugger the fur coat, I've made them into furry drawers, it's perishing up here! far too cold for nae knickers! I've had a pretty rubbish couple of days. My boss had a quiet word. The quality of my work isn't in question, but it appears he's worried about me. Or more particularly, my stress levels.

And there was me, thinking I'm doing a good job of keeping the cheery face on. Alcohol perhaps kept me going more than I knew. Now I'm questioning do I need it to function after all?

I'm sorry I missed your night in Windsor, ma did you have a fab time? Are you still there? How did today go?

Oooh and ma? is he a merchant semen?

Staying sober but only because I'm working through til Saturday night.

Blot.

So, if there's anyone on the bus who knows me please say hi in rl, but one of the big reasons for the wine is the terminal illness of someone so so close to me, she's gone yesterday and I'm very drunk and very sad and I think I may be in the sidecar for a long while. Night all.

So sorry to hear that popcorn
Stay in the sidecar as long as you need.

Popcorn I am so sorry to hear that my love. So, so sorry. Please post here whenever you like and please take advantage of the emotional support offered to you in RL, and take all the time you need to process your loss. Big, big hugs to you.

Ma - are you home now or have you decided to live in the Palace forever? How was it? I have had brushes with royalty myself you know (puts on posh accent) and am strangely susceptible to it for a so-called socialist! Hope you had a wonderful time, do share xxx (sprays Ma's tiara with a bit of Pledge and gives it a quick polish. No innuendo intended)

Sorry not posted here much lately and sorry not to do a full NC. Situation at work reaching unbearable crisis point at the moment re: the reshuffle, and been feeling alternately worried and cross, and been sorry for myself and not wanted to just come on here and moan. But had to chip in and send love to Popcorn

Welcome too to all the new Babes. You will find lots of wonderful people here

Night night all xxx

Oh popcorn I'm sorry lovey, night night sweetheart, xx

Still at the castle. Evensong in st Georges chapel last night was truly magical. Gave me the shivers it was so beautiful - like Carols from Kings. Conference finishes at lunchtime. Am knackered.

Can you claim squatter's rights and live there happily ever after?

We'll flit your things by Gerald Removals Inc. x

Morning babes, sorry to see so many babes struggling with RL at the minute . Day 6 for me today x

Oh you lovely lovely people. Sorry about last night, it is just so flipping hard at the mo and I was using the wine to blot it out.

I'll be back soon, carry on amongst yourselves, by the time I'm back I expect us all to have castle invites. Hey ma is he a pirate?

Hello again kind babes. I am drinking right now as in more pain than can bare. I think I should chek in here everyday as it might help me.

Im trying to hide tears from DC as nothing tht happened was there fault and I dont want them to suffer but it is so so hard. If I knew it wouldnt hurt them I know I would just go now (Im so sorry Popcorn as you have the pain of a loss of someone who didnt choose it, Im just being honest but I feel guilty for that and I sorry and sending you love in your loss.

Im glad your all here even though I know wine isnt the problem its the shit underneth but that I have no idea of how to start dealing with as it is full of things that can't simply go IYKWIM

Hi all, this is my first post on a brave babes thread.
I'm on day 20 since I made the decision to become AF- so far I have managed my work Xmas do and some other occasions where I would normally get drunk. I also used to drink a bottle of wine every night, at least.
I think the initial feeling pleased with myself has worn off. Now I just feel restless and a bit can I do this forever? But I know it's one day at a time. I have lots of stressful things going on and drinking would normally be my coping strategy. I do feel less anxious in the daytime though.
Doesn't help that all my friends like a drink and I can't help thinking my social life will never be the same again. So need to make contact with other people feeling the same

this what's up babe? Don't do anything daft. We haven't lost a babe in action yet and we aren't starting now!
popcorn at pirate. I wouldn't mind a sexy pirate to unbuckle my swash. He wouldn't make a good pirate I'm afraid...just doesn't fit the image.

I have spent 3 hours sitting in a plane on the tarmac at Heathrow, sweating like a mad menopausal woman, and waiting for someone to plug the server back in so we could take off! Am shattered.
Met some good people and hope indies prediction of new business comes true. It was a wonderful experience - the place, not the flight home. A sanctuary within the ancient walls, with history breathing on my neck from the shadows the whole time. Places with names like the Horseshoe Cloister, the King's Chantery, and a tour by a lovely old gentleman who is an official Knight of Windsor. All surreal, all wonderful,all immensely kind to this wide eyed ignoramus.

Evening, tis me, Mouse

Just wanted to pop in and say I'm so sorry for not being here to support you all as I want to. You are all ace and this time of year is super hard for me because I want my Mum. I really miss her and last Christmas we didn't do anything.... didn't eat, sat in our PJs

We cried all day and I drank lots.

BUT.....it's been a year and this year I am making up for last by treating each day as the first day of my life and living it to the max!

Enjoying each step without getting wasted too. I don't need to get wasted to feel loved, I have memories to feel loved.

I have days gone by that I can pull pieces of and put together to make a sad day a good one.

I wish you all the very best as you get closer and closer to the Big Day....we'll be here, manning the Bus no doubt.

Night,

Mouse

Good to hear from you mouse you amazing furry person. Looks like all the babes are away Christmas shopping as the bus is very quiet today.