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

Morning all, tis me, Mouse

I'm just off to bed after 'supervising' DD's 16th Birthday 'party'.

Five teens in my dining room. DD cleaned up after each and after one of them! She's a star :)

Sorry I've not been around. Life is hectic just now and my pain is horrific at this time of year with the damp cold. It's shit shit shit!

And super hard to function because I have to take double the pain killers that I need, so I'm asleep.... I fall asleep. Just go. Bang. So, I'm worried about driving, etc......

I hate being broken like this.... my body rebels against me. I HATE IT!!!

Sorry to jump in and moan on and on and on about my pain and meds etc, the pharmacy didn't get my script in time so I'm out of my most needed med because of them and they KNOW THAT!! They called to question a med I'd ordered and it'll be Monday until I get it, if then.

I can't get out because Nemo's got his Ed Psych coming to see me and she's lovely, so I can't cancel. It'll be so grrrrrrrrr until me levels reach normality again.

They have no idea how long it takes for me to get to the right level of pain relief without booze.

The easiest thing is for me to hit the vodka to numb the pain. I hate it, I'm ashamed and I have no excuse.

Anyway, those of you who have nailed the booze over the weekend, well done!! You should be so proud of yourself, you really should if you are hours, days or weeks dry...... months is....

Night Babes xxxxxxx

Thanks for being so welcoming...this is the first time I have written this down. I am awake whilst DH & DD sleeps & still feeling bruised & horrible. Been thinking about my heavy drinking family and the example I am setting - not good & I still feel hungover today! Have resolved fo s dry month with no excuses, I need to prove myself I don't need to b e drunk to have a good time with my friends.

I am also laughing at chimneys and crack filling! dD is squeaking now though so must go get her out of bed.

Morning All,

I missed a busy bus last night. Khalesi, that is exactly what the bus should be, not just chin stroking and analysing the problems (though I will give a hard stare to anyone who tries to apologise for doing so, it's important to share it in a safe place); but for sharing the silliness that distracts us from our problems. Have a lovely coffee, then share the details with us over a banana milkshake .

Small, thank you, I have no idea what to expect from ADs when I'm not drinking, because the last twice I've needed them, I was washing them down with wine instead of water (doh!).

Wry, lovely to see you back, you'll not need your thievy spoon, DS is very generous with his bakes, in fact he gets upset if they don't get eaten quickly enough! I have to not very stealthy boast say, I was super impressed. He did the whole thing without once asking for help, and it came out really well; lovely swirls of cinnamon inside, light dough, and not a soggy bottom in sight.

Ma, you're moderating at the moment like a grown up, but when you're ready you'll do it again. We'll be stern when you want us to be.

That really sucks, Mouse, does the pharmacy not realise how pain mess work? Or that they're not optional? Oh but you have a lovely DD. How is Nemo doing at school?

Slummy that was quite some intro to the bus you got last night! These are the bestest babes . . . They have helped me towards 39 days alcohol free, my longest since I was pregnant 13 years ago. Ask for help when you need it, and don't be shy.

Well, I wasn't around yesterday because DPs arrived. Much as I love them, they were hard work this time. DF hated the holiday and they are now locked into a rumbling, grumble fest because DM wants to travel more, and he hates long haul flights and first world resorts in third world countries. They are both being unreasonable, him for not admitting he had a good time even though the place wasn't great, her for not compromising a bit on the sort of holiday they should take. Oh well, they head home on Monday. Deep breath.

On last thing (cos I'm going on a bit), not drinking was really awkward last night. DF was all, "you'll be boring like the rest of my family", and DM was a bit to probing, esp in front of DS. It was tiring, and embarrassing but at least no one asked if it was pregnant (the last time I actually refused a drink in their company).

Have a happy Sunday, babes. Stay away from the wine witch if you possibly can.

Good morning, Babes!

Sweet when anyone asks if you are pregnant start telling some gory sex story you read about online and watch them cringe! (although some parents are immune to the whole cringing thing, to be fair!)
But well done on staying AF last night!
You are such an inspiration. I must admit I'm a bit shocked at my difficulty giving alcohol a miss.

I think drinking so much less I get drunk so much faster. I was really drunk last night. And I swear I only had two glasses (even checked the bottle this morning).
No hangover but that sad, low feeling of loss which always accompanies too much alcohol.
Will try abstaining until Saturday. God knows thats hard enough.

Mouse, my darling.

wry

ma baba, I forgot to say congrats on the funding!

Morning all.
Khalisi what time is sexy builder coming round?
mouse good to see you again my wee rodent friend
wry twas most definitely the norks that did it. I agree that a damehood is in order. Damedemented. Has a ring to it no?
Off out shortly to have my moustache removed and my eyebrows restored to order. This will be followed by slapping a box of hair dye on my tatty head and the hope that I vaguely resemble a human again. Such fun!

ma he should be here soon.
I'm making blueberry pancakes because on Sundays I love to make myself something lovely after oats the whole week.
Hope he doesn't think I made them 'specially for him!

So you've already had your oats, and now you've got sexy builder dropping in. I think you are being a tad greedy!

Trust ma to bring down the tone of the thread...

Hello babes how are you all? khalisi how did you get on with your builder?

I feel really anxious and depressed (at the same time? is that even possible?) drinking the last 2 nights really hasn't helped. I've got to stay clean the next few days and try to let my body recover. Dentist tomorrow for a filling (ugh - and the dentist thinks my diet alcohol has caused all my dreadful teeth - acid erosion ) worrying about work (as usual) money (always) and to top it off I've got spots AND a rash

So. Action Plan. No booze. Take the dog out (it's a beautiful day here, sometimes I feel resistant to going out, I feel so lazy - but the Optimism app suggests it helps.)

And hmmm yeah I had too MUCH to drink last night - I should really only have max 2/3 of a bottle but DH bought it and I drank it. Lesson - insist he only buys the small ones. How many times over the last few years have I failed to learn this...?

Sorry its so self-pitying. Wine does that, doesn't it, turns you into a horrible person.

Feel very blurgh, can hardly focus on the screen. Will be back tomorrow babes, stay strong x

wry how are you doing my lovely? {big tartan bosies} Are you still getting side-effects from the anti-depressants?

I didn't know about the Art Gallery, I haven't been there for many years. Possibly since I was a teenager I have 2 distinct memories: first, of a massive oil-painting of a flooded Highland glen. The painter had gone into glorious detail the devastation caused - drowned cows with their tongues hanging out and eyeballs bulging; bloated sheep floating off down the river; distraught wifies in shawls etc. It was truly scottishly dour.

My second memory is that there was a small marbley round hall off the main gallery with statues in it. Naked statues. Of men. An education, indeed.

I've never been back since.

alias wine doesnt make you a horrible person. If makes you feel horrible. You are a nice person because I said so.
Where is that trollop khalisi? She can't still be shagging the builder or dancing round the house in her knickers. Can she?
sweet are you ok toots?
wry fit like quine?
Well babes, it is 6 weeks to the big black tie awards dinner thingy that I organise every year. Those of you who have been here a while will recall my annual struggles to get a dress. Remember norkgate?
This year, I have ordered on which should arrive this week. Have sucked it all in and ordered a 14 but that might be a tad ambitious. Have ditched the black and gone for a purple to match my hair!!! But here's the thing......"someone" will also be at the dinner (hopefully) so I need to look completely and utterly drop dead fabulous darlings! The challenge is ON!

Hey joey did you manage to head out for a walk? A dab of fresh air, some sunshine and your lovely dog - sounds like a recipe for calm to me, sweetpea. As to your feelings, yup that is possible. Those feelings will pass. But you will come through this, you will.

Apple cider vinegar for your spots, dab on with a cotton bud. Your dentist is fixing your tooth, and you won't be drinking today. This is good. I'm not drinking today either, and believe me ma quine I am gripping onto your hand so fucking tightly you must be able to feel it. I am showered and in freshly pressed linen jammies, currently with a face mask on and trying to summon up some courage to face life again.

And oi missus, you? A horrible person? To coin an old-fashioned phrase which is also a rather more modern snort of NE Scotland derision - Pish.
I'm not having it.

Yer lovely, you are. Phew, that was a biiiig bosie. Almost brought up me buttery. xx

Ooooooooooh cross post joey that painting is still there our primary school always got us to count the dead and dying animals. How cheery is that?! You could probably sue them nowadays for that.

I went to see the consultant, after waiting for an appointment for almost two years. She expressed her surprise that she hadn't seen me sooner, she showed me a letter saying she wanted to see me no later than 2(!) Septembers ago. I had to be fitted in even if her clinic was full, as my connective tissues were already suffering. I could have wept. A year and a half extra of pain. Upshot is I am now on HRT, even though with Lupus and history of blood clots it isn't ideal. The antidepressants are making me feel better, although you wouldn't know it at the moment.

I am making my way through the fog, I think. This lovely bus saw to that. xx

ADs are making me feeling really rotten, Ma. Did the same for the first week last time I tok them. Really really want to go to bed, but I'm talking DPs out before they go home tomorrow.

Aww sweet, sorry you feel a bit blurgh my darling, has today been stressful? Are you having to bite your tongue a bit? Get through it the best way you can, you can do it. Tomorrow evening the mumbles will be but a memory. see you the morn, tooters, all will be good. xxxxxx

ma getting yourself all shiny and shipshape requires multo input from yer fellow travellers! Frock and hair styles, shades and styles of maquillage, what kind of drawers, etc etc.

See, I hear you. Watchwords, purple/glam/drop dead fab etc, etc. So why am I listening to you and seeing this in my head?

sweet ride through it with us darling, the first few weeks are not easy, but you will get through it. It's exhausting sweetheart, and it knocks seven shades out of you, but we are here with wet wipes and handholding and duvets.

Take your folks out, but mention you are not feeling great so it won't be a long haul night out. Then back to your house, bedroom door firmly shut, jammies on, good book and shut the world out on the bus. xx

wry that first pic is how I want to be! That is so me!!! Although I realise I look more like the second! I desperately wanted a green dress but couldn't find one. I love green.
Once the purple dress arrives I will know how much I need to lose to get into it but have lost half a stone since Christmas.
I want to be jaw droppingly fucking fabulous.
(Wonder if DC and I disappeared if it would be noticed. I have a room at the venue!!!!!)

A room you say? Allow me ma. ye can still be a thistle in green wi purple hair.

Lots of love, your Faiwry Godmother xx

Bibbity bobbity boo.

Ooooooh wry they are GORJUSS! Drool....
...........
...........

Sorry, sort of drifted off then.....

Where is Khalisi?? Stamps foot impatiently. Been checking in every half hour or so for vicarious builder updates.

It's been a four beer kind of day, but since they are all Blue beers I'm awash with liquid (I can hear it glugging attractively) but at least sober. I am really enjoying being more present and more mindful for the DC over weekends, though the downside is obviously that there is nothing to take the edge off their endless charm. Which wore thin when their kitchen science experiments ended up - with utter predictability - with green food colouring on the ceiling as DP calmly read the paper whilst 'supervising'. And if I have to go to another Frozen party (13 so far this school year, and counting) I shall have no alternative but to take a brace of hip flasks to get me through.

Which all explains why I remain, waiting, still impatient, for a update from Khalisi...though have dim recollection that she was due to go out tonight, so may have to wait longer...grr. Anyone else able to distract me (though that last pic is doing quite a good job of it, Wry)?

wry yes! That is the painting I remember. I notice you didn't get any closeup photos of the male statues...

Only because you aren't allowed to take pictures in there, joey

I'm going in there waving my big thievy spoon in the last week before they shut and hopefully they won't notice my other hand with it's James Bondesque iphone photo sneaking skills.

My dear, you shall go to the ball(s) and see the penii/penises/snoozing budgies

I repeat. Bibbity bobbity boo. Love, your Faiwry Godmother.

What do we want?
Willies!
When do we want them?
now!

Can't believe khalisi went out without updating us. Maybe she was too exhausted to type......