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

Morning All.

Ma, do you want us to swing the bus into Manchester and "'ave words with someone"

I hope it was a lovely evening anyway, and meeting up with Hope is a WIN.

April, in the early AF days I don't think of any food as too much . I'm really enjoying cooking with a proper kitchen, though I'm probably more Rhea (remember Butterflies?) than Nigella!! Last night was a rather superior bubble and squeak (with various protein accompaniments for vegetarians and omnivores). I'm looking forward to feeling energized enough to do something more complicated and impressive.

Hope, admin - my arch-enemy . But, Listen to you, a different woman from the one who was treated so badly, and coping with so much in your job at the beginning of the year.

Joey, hope you got through the night. Do see the interview as practice - if you know it's just window dressing for your boss, perhaps you can relax more?

Mouse you are so brave and deal with SO much. "Chapeau" my very Brave Babe.

Well, I've woken up with disgusting amounts of energy despite DH's snoring and duvet stealing, so I had better get on and make the most of it. It have a CBT review later, and Pup is going to the groomer, but best of all, I'm feeling enthused about work. Today, I am going to be the best version of Sweet I can manage buy allowing myself to sit down, say "screw the vacuum" and let myself concentrate on reading journal papers.

Oh and by staying AF for day 4.

Day 4 here and feeling strangely muggy headed. Haven't done a day 4 for ages. Got loads to do so need to avoid a tailspin. Thoughts are with those who are struggling and making tough decisions about what next.

Kids went to school wearing beautifully knitted poppies that we bought from a war vet at work.

joey good luck and what sweet said.

I just met the wonderful, wonderful hope!!!! She is a totally awesome babe. Brilliant start to the day.

sweet, screwing the vacuum is likely to result in a trip to A&E!

Yay right back at you Ma. So brilliant to meet you . Now, can whoever is driving put their foot down as I think we just defrauded a hotel out of a cafetiere of coffee ....

April

Well what a gloomy, wet day. It is a good thing I resisted last night, I would probably have poured a glass already, but, I'm going to stick with it, because I do, indeed, NOT regret, NOT drinking last night.

Pup is back from the groomer, couldn't get a good pic of him standing up, he finds having his hair done exhausting! So here's the best before and after I could get!

Beautiful!

I had a really tough day. Out for a leaving lunch for my former boss. He'd preordered champagne for us all. I sat through the entire meal drinking water and ignoring the flute in front of me.

Of course now I'm thinking - See? I can do it. Im fine. I could have a wee glass of wine tonight....

I won't. That velvet tongued witch is not getting me tonight.

We did hope We are now on the wanted list for caffiene thievery.
April hang in there!

sweet that pup is sooo cute.

Hang on in there babes. Day four. A tricky one. Bloody well done april

April, that was incredibly strong of you, I'm not sure I could have done it. But, you did it then, you can resist again tonight. We'll be here and do it together.

Pop, it's not just his looks, he has a very funny and loving soul too. How is the bedtime routine going tonight? Is there something yummy to distract you?

Ma, Hope, you pair of gorgeous reprobates . Cafetière, coffee thievery has to be the most middle class crime, EVER!

I'm feeling a little more solid tonight about not drinking. Determined to get another night under my belt.

It was hope what done it sweet. We didn't actually nick a cafetiere...just drank the contents and kind of forgot to pay!
Last time I met up with babes from this bus, a rabbit was murdered

, but the only connection between the two events, was you, Ma, .

Erm, well, yes.
Thanks sweet!!!!

I think my cutesie reaction to pup was based on how my nine year old DD would react! Ok. So my DP is going to walk through the door in the next 30 minutes with booze. It's going to be tough.

I am often follow around campus by the sound of students saying, "OMG, that dog is SO cute" . Now, make sure you have a cup of tea IN YOUR HAND, when DH comes in.

Ma

oh pop that is tough. Does he know you're trying to be AF? Could he drink something you don't really like to make it a bit easier?

Sweet the owners of the hotel are millionaires it was a Robin Hood act wasn't it Ma ? Though speaking of being middle class, my friend and I stopped half way through last month's Anti Austerity march for some tapas . Pup is gorgeous by the way xxx

April well done. Couldn't have swerved free champagne, you are a

Pop how's it going? Have you got a and some chocolate? Day 5 here.

Nobody at bonfires tonight? This is the first year in over 15 I've not bothered. My babies are growing up

hope too wet for bonfires. And the dog is scared of fireworks...

I didn't get the job, but the interview went okay and it was good experience. Unfortunately am now rewarding myself with a drink.

One day I'll quit.

Morning All.

I had a very fitful night, though the advantage of being AF is I feel pretty rested anyway.

Hope, I find you a much more compelling defendant; Ma was just in it for the LOLs . As for the tapas, sure that's originally quick, easy bar food? Solidarity, Sisters!!.

No fireworks here - too wet. Pup is showing his gundog credentials by being completely unconcerned and relaxed about the whole thing.

Oh, Joey, I'm glad you found the positive in the experience. You will quit, and while you are struggling, you are still keeping yourself AF some of the time (for which, your liver thanks you).

Pop, did you make it, lovely?

It's Friday, which I know is difficult for lots of babes - relaxing into the weekend and all that - but tomorrow is Saturday, if you invited the WW in tonight, the Hangover Hag will be here in the morning to steal YOUR weekend.

I'm going to make today another day I don't drink, anyone else with me?

Morning!

I'm with you sweet, the Hangover Hag isn't getting my Saturday. A room of toddlers banging drums at 9:30 feels enough like a hangover without actually having one! Maybe this week I'll be brave enough to chat to some other parents without worrying that I smell of last night's booze.

Hang in there joey.

Great fireworks here last night - and only a little drizzle. I remember a previous year (several years ago) getting into a sort of 'pushing' fight with a man who invaded my space. We ended up swearing at each other. And yes I had been 'making a good occasion' of the event . Much better to be like last night - big warming casserole beforehand, splashed in the puddles with dp on the way there, and a mug of hot chocolate when we got home.

It's the time of year for warm fires and comfort food. Remember the days of childhood - the smell of wood burning smoke in the air, the crunch of autumn leaves under your feet, the luxury of a warm bed to snuggle into. We had no need of drink then. Tonight I'm returning to childhood pleasures.

Morning. < hangs head in shame >. Had a beer and two glasses wine last night. Then stopped. Feeling it today on way to speak at a conference. Also had another horrible bedtime with DD2. She got bullied in year 3 involving some girls telling her they had a voodoo doll that they were going to send to get her in the night. Although the bullying has got better - the school were crap about it - she still struggles to sleep and when I'm tired too it can get really tense. She wants to sleep in her five year old sisters room but she keeps her awake then I get an exhausted 5 year old for school. So I've stopped that but eldest gets aggressive about it. I know I need to talk to GP alone about the sleep thing. It's ruining family life. Not an excuse to drink though. Sorry - I feel really shameful as had been happily posting in a motivated way after my shameful Saturday night. Well done to babes who made it though - and empathy to those still struggling.