The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Shaking Off The Winter Blues And Getting Out Our Booze Free Summer Shoes!

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, Mouse

Welcome to the Bus. It's a Bus full of drinkers, non-drinkers, occasional slurpers, sneaky sippers, we're all a very different bunch but we ALL have the same thing in common.

Alcohol.

We all have a story or two to tell, we have all been through some terrible times, some more than others and we all have our reasons for drinking or even not.

The one true wonderful thing about this Bus is that we don't do judging!! We're all on a even playing field, no matter what has brought us to this thread.

So, if you'd like to talk, then talk. If you want to lurk and see how we work for a while, that's cool too :)

The Bus is never full, there's always is room for YOU.

And, if you'd like to see what started this off, amost good 5 years ago now, have a look at A TRULY AWESOME HEARTFELT THEAD HERE

And our last thread is just here too for those who would like some more history THIS IS WHERE WE'VE JUST BEEN

Hope to see you soon :) xxx

Foof, that's a little over dramatic, but there really are three cases of white wine in the boot (He drinks red). it's not very supportive, is it?

Hi all, welcome to newbies and lost sheep returning to the fold

fevvers that's not good. I don't think he's taking you seriously and you might need to spell it out to him. Can he keep the wine at work or in a neighbour's garage? Tell him to put it back for Christmas presents? Just get it away from you.

Hands one of the best bits of advice when you feel like you want a drink is to just tell yourself, 'Not today, maybe tomorrow'. Every morning make that decision, before you get out of bed, whether or not you are going to drink today. If the answer is no, that's it. No more bargaining, no more dithering just repeat ad infinitum, 'Not today, maybe tomorrow'.

fevvers dh used to buy me wine in the hope he would get his leg over as I would be too pissed to have the energy to reject him. 3 cases seems a lot though. Does he normally buy it in such quantities?

Thanks for the advice Fairenuff. I've at least managed to get through day 1 and will probably go to bed soon with a chamomile tea

Fevvers he probably thinks he's being kind but he needs to know how serious you are about stopping drinking. Save the cases to give as presents.

Ma I've been having periods every 2-3 weeks too. I seem to have constant PMT which I'm sure has been made worse by my drinking .

Hope everyone's had a good day xx

Hey faire where have our been? How are you doing?

Well done on day 1 hands. You may find it hard to sleep without the booze to make you drowsy so be prepared to feel crap in the morning until the good stuff kicks in

Hands I can completely relate to everything you said Welcome to this cherished Bus Well done for nailing Day 1

Needsome Day 5 Keep going lovely, it is so much better being 'there' as opposed to the slight huge fog haze of alcohol. I have more patience, actually listen properly to DC, sleep more soundly which would usually be fitful. One of the best bits of wisdom from this bus for me has been 'watch the film right through to the end' that has helped me so much. For me, I know it won't just be 2 glasses, it will be at least one bottle, more often than not 2 Enjoy your journey, this bus is fab! One in a million and I am so glad I found it

Sweet I have to go for Trumpton

Beaches Day 2 for you

Completely knackered must go Zzzzzz.

Hey joey, I've been around. Very busy though with all the things going on in dcs lives at the moment. Not my life, that's just trundling along as normal but both dc seem to be in a whirlwiind of activity these days!

How's things with you?

Just spiffing faire am convinced I'm getting menopause, but doctors disagree and are testing me for thyroid /vitamin D deficiency / depression / chronic fatigue. Vitamin D, FGS - I'm out walking the dog every day! Just gimme the HRT...

And talking of the dog, he's been chewing at his paw(dewclaw) all day not sure if he's hurt it or what

spanna Trumpton would be a great name for a dog!

Hi all

Feeling crappy today as have to go into work tomorrow and the worry has sent me back on the booze. Why do I do it??? I know it no longer makes me feel better apart from for a couple of hours, and am worried it is my go-to solution when things are bad, as they are bad quite a lot of the time ATM with work and WB .

Too late tonight but going for day 1 tomorrow. Again. G'aaaagh

Welcome to needs and hands and hamster. Hugs to Spanna and well done on the AF front. Please hold my hand while I try to join you xxx

Ma . So sorry about your dad. Big hugs xxxx A sad situation.

Sweet is it a Womble name? Tobermory?

Love to the rest of you. Keeping it short tonight as am all sad and ashamed at being off the wagon (or bus!) Again. When I should know better. Dreading tomorrow so going to lose myself with some crap TV before sleep.

Night night xxx

Sending you a big squeeze hope. Try not to be too hard on yourself, knowing better and doing better don't always go in sync. I think you are doing fab against a tidal wave of crap. Good luck for tomorrow. X

I am a weary babe tonight, I have a new part time job in a jewellery store and my face is tired from smiling (obviously not used to being so happy!). Cup of tea and bed and onto day 3 tomorrow.

How did you make out Isinde?

Spanna happy zzzzzzz's to you flower.

Orinoco perhaps?

Night babes xxx

Morning ladies . You're right I didn't sleep well but at least this morning I'm just tired instead of tired and hungover! Looking forward to lots of lovely sleep! A couple of questions - can anyone recommend any books which have helped them stay AF? Also have you found you've substituted wine with chocolate? I've an awful feeling that will happen to me, after all we need some kind of treat in the evening don't we? How do I manage to stay wine AND sugar free?

Hope you all have a fab day. Good luck at work today Hope xx

Another 5.30 start to my day I think it must be the seagulls, early day light and maybe I've just had enough sleep doesn't feel like it though

Joey I thought Crackerjack was an awesome name for a dog I'm sorry you're going through all of this health stuff. At least you're Doctor is going through the motions of ruling things out. I hope you get it sorted soon and they're wrong and you're right and you get HRT Please be kind to yourself and do something just for you today, no one else, just you - toes painted, facial, a walk around a gallery, a rummage through antique shops, a long hot smelly bath, a hair do sorry once I got started I got a bit carried away

Nuff glad to hear that all is good in Nuff world

Khalisi I hope you're feeling better honey x

Orbrigada ONE GLASS IS AMAZING!!!!!! You are a Well done you, give yourself a huge pat on the back. Sounds like you had a lovely weekend with DDs x

Hope right lovely! You need to keep your head high, tits out and will yourself to smile (go on, smile) however fake it is. You have done nothing wrong, they are the ones messing you about. You never know there may be some news about the other job. Hold onto the lovely 2 weeks that you've spent with DC, the fact you have a nice house, you have been a huge success so far in your career (and will continue to be) You are an amazing Mum. Good things are coming Hope you just have to keep going and look for every opportunity and keep your faith in yourself, you haven't got this far for nothing. to you my darling and I will always hold your hand Babe Don't let those fuckers get you down. You are worth so much more than that xxx

Beaches your new job sounds really good, oh yes the face smile muscles, they are a bugger aren't they? What's your biggest sale so far, it always amazes me how much people spend on jewellery Day 3 Babe whoop whoop, come on Babe you can catch me up. As we both know it gets easier as time goes on. Once I've cracked that first week I seem to find it easier as long as I forget 'the reward syndrome' I've had 2 Managers since we were last in touch. Last one undid all the good work of the previous. Current on just started and he's lovely (not used to working for men so it's a nice change)

This is turning into a Spanna essay, sorry!!

Sweet you're going to have to spill pups name by the end of today!!! have any of us guessed it yet? the suspense if killing me you see I really don't have a life

Fox hope all ok x

Baby hope DDs first day back wasn't too manic.

Ma darling have a good day and be kind to yourself. When's your next encounter with Distracted Chap? x

Wry I do hope you're lurking darling. I just wanted to say Hello and I hope all is ok xx

Isinde so so good to have you back. Is it Day 2 or 3 for you today? x

Right before I lose this mammoth ramble. Have a lovely day all and sorry not to name call you all x

Don't ask is indie if she made out!!! < assumes brace position for forthcoming flood of innuendo>
hands dont even attempt to go wine free and chocolate free at the same time. You need to replace the sugar. Wine will kill you faster than chocolate so start with that one.
hope chin up chuck, just keep breathing.

Today am orf to a gun salute at the castle doncha know. Well posh. Lots of chaps in uniformsigh

Hands just a quick post en route to work to say that (as ever) I agree with Ma. Giving up wine and chocolate together is way too hard - or at least I found it so. I didn't actually eat much sweet stuff before going AF but in the first few weeks I guzzled loads of chocolate to counterbalance the sugar I wasn't getting from the wine. I think it's normal and the reasons are both physical and psychological.

Give yourself a break about everything else, just roll with it. In my case after about a month I felt able to tackle the food side of things too and am now eating properly again and finally beginning to lose weight. Don't be surprised if you put weight on to start with. It is irritating because you expect to lose loads of weight immediately but I'm not sure that always happens. It will with time - the most important battle is the one against the WW and everything else can follow after you feel a bit more confident about that.

Sorry, rushing off so no time to NC or read back xx

PS - Ma have a fab night babe

Ma enjoy those dashing men in uniform x

Snoopy?

Hands take vitamin supplements if your diet is a bit off kilter for a while, especially B vits. And yes, chocolate is fine if it's keeps you off the booze.

My decision is made already today, babes, I won't be drinking. How about you?

See you later x

Spanna, Alias, SO close . He's not a womble though.

Morning all.

Hands, just to add my voice to the choc debate. Don't do it, let your body tell you what it wants (unless it says wine ). I shovelled jelly beans and choc for the first week then started to replace those with mixed, unsalted nuts. After a couple of weeks, my blood sugar began to equalise and I was naturally feeling less hungry.

I'm with you today, Faire, day 28 (I think).

Morning, Babes,

Just lost a long, long post!

fevvers your post made me think of crutches
You need him to support you. It is hard enough a battle as it is.

crutches, my lovely. How are you doing? How is the leg? How are you doing on the AF front? Thinking of you.

Faire Pup's name can't be Scooby! DS is embarrassed by the name and Scooby is lovely!
Like spanna I caught myself musing over this at 3am! I.need.a.life.

spanna, babes, get yourself an easy jet ticket and come hang out in the garden with me. We can make Sweet jealous with how lovely my garden would be (mind you, we'll use her tips cause I know naught about gardening! ).
I'll make AF cocktails and at 4pm we can take the gloves off and lounge around!
I'm better, thank you, my dear. Managed 13km on Sunday so I'm feeling almost like my old self again.

ma - you know now when I read UK news and see beautiful fancy ladies I ask myself, could that be ma? Especially when there are military men around!

Oh, I'm joining ma in thinking of ways isinde made out, beaches

Mhmmm, this period thing. I'm curious to see what happens next month.
Good luck, alias!

Faire What's up, babes?

baby I weighed myself this morning. Still slightly heavier (I think its muscles - not all the food new fella feeds me! ). I tried on a lovely dress my sis gave me, which is fitted. I think it looked good but I realised I really have a problem believing I look good in tight dresses. I love my mummy tummy but I just feel exposed. Hope this disappears soon. I'm too bloody old to have body (whatever that fancy word is).

Sorry for the novel!

Hey Lavender Smelling like a rose yet, my vain babe?! How are you babe?

Also, waves to Sober, Guggs and all the lurkers and those M.I.A!

xxx

Good morning Everyone. Another bright start. Day 6 which is the longest I have gone in years but I can feel the old witch sharpening her claws. Up to now its been ok as been miserable about the trounle I caused but as the weekend approaches I think things might get tough. One day at a time I will keep telling myself. I am so enjoying the clear head and appreciating my children instead of putting up with them till I can drink wine at teatime. Watching the clock from lunchtime... today however much she tries to make me, I will not be drinking.

It is neither Scooby, nor Snoopy, something much more English. As I said, Spanna and Alias have come very close. And no cheating, Fevvers, just because you already know! .

I'm really glad you're feeling better, Khalisi. Spanna is a gardener too, albeit with out a garden at the moment!. At the moment I am looking out at cherry blossom and fresh birch leaves against a blue sky.

Toned bodies are much better than 'light' ones. Between walking and gardening, I'm shaping up, in fact, today, in the mirror, I could see my caesarean scar for the first time in years, because my mummy tummy no longer hangs over it. It'll always be a little wobbly, but some things, Khalisi, we should wobble proudly .

Ma, we want pictures!

Needs, she's a bitch, WW. But just think how great getting to day seven will be - a whole week, you might even start to feel the 'boing'. If you are struggling, keep posting as often as you need, it'll keep you're fingers away from the corkscrew.

The offending cases have been removed. They were a bargain, apparently. Dysmorphia, Khalisi? I'm sure you look splendid - mummy tummies are in/out, in out shake them all about . Sweet, my lips are sealed. (I'll blab for an opal fruit though )

oof, my strikethrough didn't work....