The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Starting the New Year in Fine Style

[venusandmars]

Hello, I'm Venus, and standing in for Mouse (who usually starts all our threads)

This is a safe and welcoming place for anyone who is facing up to a problem with alcohol. It may be something you’ve known for years, or it may be that struggling with dry January has made you re-think your relationship with drink.
Anyway, welcome old and new, lurkers and posters. It can be a weird thread at times – travelling on a bus 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 been 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. If you find all the banter off-putting just jump in with a cry for help.

And HAPPY NEW YEAR xxx

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

Our most recent thread, if you want to catch up

sorry

Fluff you've made a great start and your dh is supportive too. Come and share.

Sweet looking forward to warmer temps, I can't stand the cold and dark evenings. I want to see some snow drops and daffodills.

Hi Spanna lovely post

Small glad you've treated yourself

Glad you stopped Khalisi that's what I've got to do this eve

Ruby sorry!

I know what you mean, I find other people's company ok, right up to the point that I just HAVE to retreat and shut the door. I think that's why I like lecturing ~ limited requirement for interaction, like tutorials ~ one person at a time, limited duration, but find seminars aand conferences a trial!

Unfortunately, all my daffs flowered in November ! Have a good time with your friend.

obrigada your question about the CBT app got me thinking. I'm gradually moving from my Kindle to the iPad my work gave me. I've managed to get all my books and music; the games wouldn't transfer but most of them are available (one or two I'd have to pay again for though, which would be annoying)

It would just be so much easier for a small brain if I only had one tablet to try and understand! Luckily I got the podcasts from the Mental Health Foundation - these are really important to me, as I just can't sleep without the soothing Scottish voice of Dr Colin Espie droning at me

The CBT Diary is just about the only thing I can't find. I've got another app called 'Optimism' which works okay at tracking moods. Found one called MindShift which looks to be quite helpful too.

Gulp...Oh deary me....is there space on Gerald's running boards?

There's always room Fevvers, come right on board, no need to hang on to the edges!

It sounds like you've been thinking about making the leap for some time? Tell us about yourself when you're ready; we've all been there ~ and occasionally, it has be be said, we go back. But there's always lots of support and silliness here.

Thanks Sweet, I have been hovering, but I will get on.

Sweet knew I should have been a lecturer if I had a brain.

I thought daffodills came out in Spring? I know I'm not green fingered but...

Hi Fevver and welcome

Hi Joey keep us updated on the search for the ultimate CBT app, since I'm finding MFP and 'I done drinking' so helpful, maybe 'pocket CBT' would suit me.

That said, have been seriously contemplating trying just the one glass this evening, or I would if I didn't then have to reset the app!

And bloody Puss has just tried to steal an olive. She didn't read the handbook about being a carnivore, she would also mug you for a slice of melon

Ruby if you'd met as many academics as I have !!!! and they do come out in spring, but no one told my bulbs that!

Oh no daffodills with an identity crisis .

I've just found a CBT app on my phone called 'cognitive diary'. It might be that it's not on an ipad Joey

Oh and MFP is no longer my pal cos I'm loads over my calories for today.

I am now craving a cig - not smoked for yonks. Think i'm rebelling

Sweet and Ruby, thanks for responding. I'm not in UK, and it is very late here. Not sober, as I had to get the guts together to actually join in.

oh, Ruby! Try looking at the totals for the week instead of the day!

Fevvers, then off to bed ywith you. Take a glass of water and start tomorrow with the mantra 'today I will not drink', just today, or this minute. We'll be here. Sleep well.

Thankyou Sweet, I will.

sweet step away from that idea of one glass.... I promise you ONE glass was not what you wanted (the pesky ww pretended it was). Chop up some ginger and chew it - that will give your mouth all the hit it needs

fevvers have you read about 'The Drill'? It is what we recommend if you've already had a drink... It goes like this.....

• drink a large glass of water
• brush your teeth using a really strong tasting toothpaste
• get your jim jams on
• brush your teeth again with strong toothpaste
• drink a large glass of water
• pour another glass of water to take with you and go to bed.

As a 'drill' it means you go to bed a bit more hydrated and with a fresh mouth. But I think 'the drill' is at its best when you have had one drink and crave more, or are feeling a big craving coming on. There is something about toothpaste which makes wine taste terrible, really terrible and it takes a MASSIVE craving to overcome the first mouthful of wine if you have just brushed your teeth.

I do admit to having overcome the disgust of wine after toothpaste, bug then I was a pretty determined alcoholic.

Thank you Venus, the moment did pass. Ice water with dinner, now going to get a fruit tea. But ginger is a brilliant idea, I haven't got fresh, but I do have some crystallised in the baking cupboard.

, I've done that too, Venus.

ruby embrace your inner rebel, but in a good way. Wear platform shoes, get some piercings, spit. Well that's what I did when I was a rebellious teenager, and if you think that any of those will make you look ridiculous, imagine how ridiculous if looks to see a grown woman drunk....

Daffodils? Daffodils? It is February ffs and nowhere near spring.

Or so it seems in this cold, grey frozen north. Maybe that is why wry is do keen on big bosies - keeps you cosy in the long dark days.

I've seen quite a lot of daffodils up around here; a whole verge of them in flower the other day, I have to admit that one got me a bit . The seeds that have come up are Dahlia Bishops Children, so lots of late Summer colour (I know I'm projecting, but it's allowed!). On the other hand, I'm still doing a heat pad every night for Puss and Bun.

Hey all.
Well.....we got our funding!!! Its not official yet but I got a head up email from someone in the know that our bid was successful. We,'re not out of the woods but it buys us a precious breathing space, means lovely boss can actually get paid and means I keep my wonderful, crazy job for a bit longer. Very relieved.
Two glasses of wine tonight and then bed. Am shattered.

That's great ma am very pleased for you

Brilliant Ma, that's a little weight lifted.