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.

Sorry, I crashed out last night, too tired to type!

Sober, it's not 'horrific bollocks' at all; one of the most 'sorted' people I ever knew carried a photo of himself aged 5 in his wallet, for the same reason, to remind him to take care of himself. You sound really positive. are you beginning to find that the thoughts of drinking are getting quieter?

Spanna I'm with you on wanting to see Shaun the Sheep! Do you have any half term plans?

Ruby I am going to take your example and try to get out for a walk today - weather permitting.

Enjoy your day off Khalisi

I have had a good start to the day already. Another lot of seedling have started to appear - a pink version of Nepeta (cat mint, planted specially for Puss), and I am down to 9st 7lbs (60.3 kg).

Must go and wake DS up, he is off to visit his dad at some point over the weekend - though he doesn't seem very keen - I've asked him several times to tell his dad he wants to be picked up on Sunday, he still hasn't bothered!

Have a good day, try to make it a day you give WW a swift karate chop to the jugular!

Morning all Day 5 but it is Friday and the last day of term, huge triggers for me

Sweet I love a seedling, sadly I don't have a garden anymore we're in a 2nd floor flat but our flat is full of plants and the seafront is 3 minutes walk. I think you're 'down south' like me, just come back with the dog and it is windy but fresh, should be good walking weather. In Manchester for a good part of half term, but Shaun is on my to do list, with kids or not I wish my weight loss was coming on but it isn't. I've lost 2lbs since I last weighed myself (I don't have scales at home or I would obsess about it) Boots has a good weighing machine and does your BMI etc. Have a lovely day Sweet and enjoy some 'you' time x

Sober your post sounds really positive and I'm so glad that you've managed to stay AF. Really good to hear that the counselling is proving useful Have a good day lovely x

Another fitful sleep for me, woke up all sweaty and anxious clearly got things on my mind. Anyhooo must get on with getting up and delivering DC to school and then onto work until 3, not too bad today I expect we'll be on the new thread by the time I get home so I'll see you all there

Obrigada have you tried the Paul McKenna 'Quit Smoking today' book and dvd. It's meant to be really good and effective. Beaches used it and others I know have been successful. I think with hypnosis it will be successful if you really want to 'give up' and it sounds like you do. Heaps of luck on Saturday xxx

Hey sober sounds like you are making good progress. Well done.
I am totally back in the sidecar which is pissing me off after doing well in January. Can't seem to get back in the groove. I know why, but can't seem to get over that either. Dad hanging on by a thread so having to do a lot of social work stuff and I want to scream that I dont have time but I have to make time.
Mouse black tie dinner so yes, has to be a dress. Trivial in the wider scheme of things I know.
Waves to all and curls up like a wimp in the sidecar

Good morning, Babes!

Sweet Well done on your weight! Such an inspiration. OMG, I can only dream of 60kg at this point! Have that horrible 5 to lose before. Too little to be seen by other but a lot enough for clothes to pinch.
Been following your gardening advice. I have to google most of the plants you mention because I know jackshit about gardening but have a big one now so am really going to get going. The sun is shining here and I'l work for a few hours (that is a day off for me - working from home!) and then plant my bulbs which have been waiting for a good day.

Sober You sound really good, darling babe. It is no rubbish at all. One of my GPs (moved around quite a bit!) had breast cancer a few years back. I went to see her because I was feeling really down. She gave me a piece of advice which I use to this day. When I feel neglected, I hug myself. I fall asleep with my arms around the seven year old me. So, don't think its rubbish. Until that point I would have thought so but I can tell you, it still works. Keep strong, darling.

Let me get on with things. Builder called early while I was still sleeping (thank God my phone was on silent). I know I have to speak to him but am dreading it.

Ma, you have so much going on at the moment. Are you managing to moderate?

The dress may be a small thing, but it isn't trivial. It's a focus for other frustrations; it's the one it is safe to feel frustrated by.

Spanna, I'm right down South, but a few miles in-land, it's looking squally for this afternoon but if I go out soon I should miss it.

Khalisi, other people will notice because you will feel better about it!

The very great gardener Christopher Lloyd (at Great Dixter) used to say, "Plant for Autumn, because Spring will look after itself". By which, he meant that Spring gardens look lovely because new growth has it's own beauty, but late Summer and Autumn gardens take more effort and planning. I am trying to plan my new garden with that in mind. That said, Spring bulbs are SO cheery!

Rain

ma I know how you feel, after I did 10 weeks before Christmas I am beating myself up for not continuing it, but hey it's still those days we DID manage it which count eh? I hope you manage the perfect outfit you are looking for, don't forget the underwear - if you feel good, you will look good!

I'm on day 6. The last few days I've been miserable, feeling sluggish and lethargic. It seems like such an effort to do anything (although maybe I've been coming down with a cold) some days I barely move from bed to kettle to sofa & I feel guilty about lack of exercise/dog-walking/healthy eating. School have sent DD home ill twice this week - and on top of that, I have a weird rash all over my face which is not clearing up despite anti-histamines etc!

Sometimes I can't even find the energy to come on the Bus sorry

and thanks to mouse for doing the new thread

Joey, hang in there and hope the weird rash goes soon!

Am off north this weekend ('home' as I will always call it, despite living south for 25 years (ow, it is painful even to write that). Baffles the DC no end - why do you say you are going 'home' when you are home, Mummy??). Anyway, won't be able to check in much, so just to send waves to everyone, hope you are all doing ok. Day 44 and i am absurdly excited about the prospect of day 50, for some reason.

Joey, have you considered that you an DD may have the same lurgi? Hope you're both better soon.

Small I keep wondering how on earth those days added up - doesn't seem all that long since Jan first, and now I can only keep count with my app! I'm an adopted Southerner too, though I can't imagine ever going back to the Midlands!

I think some of the AD side-effects are beginning to lift, though I am still absurdly tired and can't find my appetite (seems like cheating to be loosing weight this way - `I should just take the good wherever it comes from shouldn't I!)

How are all the other Babes? plans for an AF or AMod Friday?

Are we still here?
Where is the ne w thread?
Dont leave meeeeeeeeeeee

Still here Ma, but the new thread is all ready for us [smile

So gutted. Had a long phone call with Builder. He wanted to know what I want. Told him that what I know I don't want is to be a bit on the side. I honestly didn't expect this to hurt so much. I suggested we cut all contact. This of course means I have to find someone new to do the whole (FUCK!!!). But honestly, I cannot say it would be ok to see him again.
Cried in the worst stomach wrenching way ever. Then I went for a long run and sort of felt better.
I know I did the right thing but gosh, does it hurt.

Hi all

Sorry but I will be ranting in a mo.

Joey to the pharmacy/docs please. Rashes don't make a person feel good.

Small you're coming up my way, would love to know where abouts? Is that too much information?

Ma squeeze up I'm getting in. Hope you're ok.

Hugs khalisi, yes you absolutely did the right thing. Of course you did. Well done for being clear on your boundaries and being able to enforce them, even though it hurts

Ruby I dunno, it's hard to say without being there if your DH is being an arse or not. When he asked what you'd been doing all day, was it in a WTF kind of way or in a worried you've been run off your feet kind of way? Can you talk to him about it? (if not, he prob IS an arse in some important ways). The non-accusatory "you did this and I felt that" model?

Thanks, all, for the reassurance about the inner child business. It does make sense, but it feels a bit weird.

Oh khalisi you are so brave and strong? Seriously. I am in awe of what you just did.
WB just called me a smart arse and said I know nothing (about how the internet works). Not sure how I can be both but there you go... Just another nail in the coffin darling, and more to harden my resolve.

Hi all. Just popping in to help fill up the thread so that we can all get on the new bus.

Spanna last day of term is a tough one, I agree. So tempting to relax and unwind with a glass. But that's just the old way. Old habits. And I'm not going to do that, I'm going to sleep well and wake with a clear head tomorrow and enjoy my week off

I've carried dry January on into February and doing well so far. Lost half a stone and determined to get another half off. One pound at a time. One day at a time.

Hang in there babes. Just keep picking them up and putting them down and you'll get where you want to be eventually. One day at a time.

ma Omg, he's a total prize, isn't he

fair that's great, well done! I'm still waiting for the pounds to start falling off me without any more effort on my part. Any day now, I'm sure. Aaaaaany day.

Sorry, no time to NC but just popping in to assist in thread-filling and sending hugs to those who need them. Ruby, god's own county of course - Yorkshire!

Saying good night and so long to the old thread x

Good night for the last time on the old thread, darling Babes!
xxx

Good night. He has gone to work. Tried to kiss me as he left but I turned away. He muttered something as he left but I didn't hear it and dont care. Its quite satisfying that I don't care the way I used to. Fuck him!

Fuck him!

Ok, I'm off to the new thread to ask my very important question...