The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Waving Goodbye To Summer Nights, Sipping Mocktails.

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse Welcome to the Bus. :)

Well, it would appear that Autumn is on it's way I have the heating on and can't wait to use the log burner.... shhh!

So, who are we? We're just like you. Married, single, divorced, lots of children or no children, working or a SAHM, it doesn't matter, we all breathe the same air.....

We're just trying to live our lives on the Bus, like you do each day. Well, except for one thing...

I know don't start my day with a swig, or seven, from a litre bottle of vodka (choose your poison) any longer.

And that's what has kept me here, for years now. And no doubt many more to come. Reading the stories of others struggles, wanting to say "I feel like that" or "I do that too!" but being to ashamed to be the first to put your hand up.

Well, let me reassure you here and now, there's not much that we haven't read about on here or done ourselves over the years.

We've laughed at stories of haphazard nights out, we've cried at the loss of loved ones and we've shared the pain that only an alcoholic knows when all that they want is to STOP!

Push the pause button, get off the ride, shut the door, bury yourself under the duvet for days. We've all felt that sickening feeling in our gut that makes us want to curl up and hide forever. And we've shared it all on here.

You see I don't know you and you don't know me, so we're just words on a screen to each other. Eventually, you'll get to know me more and I you, and the other fantastic Babes too, some will stay, some leave us, then some come back.

One thing I can PROMISE - here you are safe, here you won't be judged, turned away (unless you're not genuine) and we even have a huge stock of Opal Fruits but that's all down to Ma.

So, if you think we're you're kind of lovely bunch of people to help you stop drinking, slow down, hold your hand while you decide what to do, then come find a seat!

OUR MOST RECENT THREAD

AND A VERY SOBERING READ, THAT LEAD TO THE BIRTH OF THE THREADS THAT FOLLOWED

You're so right pop, even the minor annoyances are worse with a hangover!

What an inspiring post Pop, thank you. April, my mood is in my boots also, I suffer with severe anxiety and it's awful today but at least I'm not making things worse with a hangover! I just seem to be worrying so much about everyone else - my mother (recently widowed), brother no.1 (recently diagnosed with incurable cancer), brother no. 2 (irreparably mentally ill) and DD because she's got me as a mum :(

I want to escape but can't and I suppose that's why I abuse alcohol, it makes me feel free for a couple of hours but we all know what happens after that. I won't be drinking today though, and that's a start. Wishing you all strength and hope.

Well let's all stick together for an AF day today. My DP is out tonight so usually that'd be an excuse to drink as much as I like. But not tonight. Keep me company babes.

I've cracked open a Becks Blue already, Pop. Cheers!

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

Just popping in to 'HIGH FIVE' BProud for hitting the five year mark in the face!! Well done Babe! :) xxx

I hope you're all doing well, I'm totally rubbish at the moment but I am trying to get my time managed better, starting with keeping warm and trying to stay out of hospital! Pneumonia is no fun and I really don't want Nemo getting it.

I'm still volunteering and trying to get out and about, keep my Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis at bay, the best I can.

Physio and OT have both been heavily involved with home aids. I've been very lucky in getting some help with various things like mobility aids but at 40, it's pretty depressing when you are sharing classes with people twice your age.... there's life in this old Mouse yet!!

Right, homework time!

I will try my best to check in with you all every day. I always hope that you're all doing well!

Mouse xxx

Hi babes,

Can't stay long, dd2 has been vomitting all night and is a poor wee soul!!!!

battle you wouldn't believe how much alcohol I have consumed during a binge? Truly dangerous levels, morning, night and even during the night. If I can detox I know you can too, it ain't nice but it's a fairly quick process and the benefits show themselves fairly quickly too. I don't know how my body has survived what I've done? especially my liver but I'm eternally grateful that my body is a tough cookie. Your ready for the new life that lies ahead, I had a crisis team that checked in on me every day after my admission to a&e, they were amazing and it was them who pushed things forward for a diagnosis of bipolar, they were gentle and kind and non judgemental. Do you have a similar agency that could support you while dp is away?? On the baby front I fell pregnant (while drunk) with very severe Crohns without trying at 39 and have a gorgeous 5 year old daughter so let's get this thing done and the future is yours to behold,

I'm right beside you girl xxxx

Right back later to NC you fabulous women, great to see some familiar faces and well done our day 3ers, sounding good xxxx

Hey babes. I am in Manchester tonight for an awards ceremony - might win something if my luck is in!
And tomorrow, I might just have time to meet the wonderful hope. Wankbadger watch out!

Really, really want one of DH's ciders, I'm counting the seconds at the moment, I want to make it to day four.

Mouse, Ma, Baby,Pop, Battle, Mrs M, Hope, April, Joey, Venus . . . Everyone be kind to yourselves.

Ma we will have the bunting hung out if you do win, and if you don't, I still have a bag of Halloween treats here.

Ooh fingers crossed for you ma you certainly deserve a huge medal for how you have coped this year.

And if you meet up with hope give her a big hug from me xx

sweet step away from the cider. I'm eyeing up the remainder of a bottle of red that I drank on Sunday to cope with the hangover from black Saturday. But I'm going to have a cup of tea, get the girls out of the bath , have a nice m&s pie I bought earlier and some fizzy water and get on with the de cluttering of the house.

oMG ma good luck with the award - fingers crossed you win. Am I allowed to ask what sort of award? Also - one that some of you actually meet up. Dunno why but that blows my mind.

Pop, peppermint tea safely supped .

well done sweet you will be pleased tomorrow! Eyes on the prize love.

Hello all. Trying to type while knotted into a ball keeping all my limbs and digits crossed that Ma wins tonight! Popstar I have not met a babe before but Ma is going to be right around the corner from me so seemed like too good a chance to miss. Work are trying to ruin it with teleconferences at exactly the wrong time, but I am determined to see her in her winner's tiara if I possibly can. Make sure someone dusts off the dashboard to accommodate her huge trophy (no sniggering at the back)

Venus, sending hugs back

Battle, how are you tonight, and welcome to the bus. You should listen to Baby who has truly come through some difficult times and is wise and brave and wonderful. We've all got your back and are rooting for you to come through this

April welcome back (hugs). Congratulations on cutting down.

Now, Pop, Sweet, Mrs M and all other day 4 babes - we are in this together tonight, stay strong. I have just had a fab sesame chicken stir fry and a pint of lime and soda and am about to brew up and get ready to watch The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds on catch up, followed by The Apprentice. Just got a bit of pesky invoicing to do first ( Venus, am not loving the admin of being a business owner!!) So, kettles on and feet up babes, and we will make it to Day 5 tomorrow

And finally, Mouse, you get tucked up warm and look after yourself and your wee fish. (tucks huge soft blanket around Mouse's shoulder and hands her a hot chocolate). We can't have you getting sick again...

Sorry if I've missed anyone - luffs to you all xxx

It works, doesn't it, just delaying for now, the urge dies down. WW will be back, just not tonight for me.

My pie is nearly ready. Just DD2 to get to bed. Then the apprentice and food. Much more nourishing than booze.

Would really like a drink now, have a sort-of job interview tomorrow and I'm very anxious about it! It's not really important, just the possibility to take on some extra work ; tbh the other guy is more likely to get it as it fits better with his current role. Boss only wanted me to apply because it reflects well on her (shows how well she manages her team)

Actually, thinking about it, that's probably part of the reason I'm stressing is knowing it's all a bit pointless, I'm kind of annoyed that they're forcing me to go through with this farce... But maybe it's good interview experience anyway... Must stay positive. Will not drink.

Good luck ma! I have visions of you sashaying down an Oscars style red carpet. Hope you and hope manage to get together.

Well done sweet, you kicked that hag's scrawny backside.

I've had a disgustingly massive pizza and am in bed. Early night to banish the gloom and I'll be full of boing tomorrow.

Sleep well you lovely lot.

joey hang on in there. All sounds stressful and pointless which is a double whammy. My DD2 aged 9 has just had a hormonal bedtime wig out. That's enough to trigger my cravings. Going to have tea and try and laugh at these daft idiots on the apprentice.

Thanks pops are you feeling better today?

Nice to see you mouse

joey im physically and mentally much better but still taking over the coals of that screwy friendship and feeling a bit forlorn. Glad I'm not drinking though.

Taking = raking. Bloody predictive text!

lookingforhope I subcontract many of the boring admin tasks to my dc... (I admit to paying much less than the minimum wage ) but over the years that has covered their pocket money, the rent on their flats at uni, money for holidays etc. - they have learned a lot about business, and all together it reduced my tax liability - so win, win, win

And I AM sniggering at the thought of ma grappling with a big trophy!!!

mouse you poor thing - you have had such a tough run recently. I hope you are looking after yourself, and that that those around you are loving you, supporting you, and appreciating you.

Thank you all, but.....I didn't win
Never mind, hopefully I will meet hope as the trip won't be a waste. It was a work related thing so would have been nice to win but never mind.