Brave Babes - Wrapping up for a Wonderful Winter

[venusandmars]

Hi, I am venusandmars and I've been on these threads for many years.

It can be tough at this time of year when the adverts are full of families cheerfully opening bottles of wine and good cheer, when work parties are alcohol fuelled, when distant friends call round with a bottle in hand.

Maybe you're trying to cut down a little in the pre-Christmas weeks, maybe you are struggling to know how to continue with a longer period of abstinence, maybe you are waking up after a Christmas Party feeling sick and covered in shame (or even feeling shame and covered in sick).

Whatever, whenever, if you want to stop, or cut down, or simply share your struggle with others who also feel the tug..... please join us.

Usually our lovely mouseface opens these threads, but the poor mouse is sick in hospital and so I am overcoming the technophobia that a 50-something feels.... (well done me ). Our last thread is here if you want to read the last few posts

And if you want to read the story from the beginning (you'll need a few weeks) HERE is where it all started when Jesuswhatnext posted in May 2010.

Welcome one and all x

Hi all, have been keeping up with the thread, but Mr posted for a while. Just needed to send and to Joey. I am so like you, always have been and boy is it embarrassing. No brilliant advice I'm afraid, I just live with it, but wanted to let you know you're not alone ( hope that doesn't set you off again - when I've had one of my meltdowns someone being kind to me starts me off again)
Hi to all babes and Mouse I hope you're feeling better.

Mr ?? Where did that come from? I'm sure I typed haven't!

Joey I think that man was insensitive to talk to you like that, it should have been obvious that you were nervous but of course, he may well have also been nervous and just blurted something out which he later regretted.

Stick with it, even if you just go again to return the book. I bet you would be one of those people that would happily support a newcomer and be a friendly, welcome face every week. I also expect that they will have a rush of new members after Christmas and you will already be settled in by then.

Being overwhelmed by emotion is no bad thing and it is better than drowning your feelings with alcohol x

Hey babes .
ann good to see you again.
Picked DD up at airport. She came through the gate, took one look at me and burst into tears, sobbing in my arms.I can't tell you how unlike her that is. She wasn't crying because she was pleased to see me, but because she was so sad at having to leave her friends in Spain as she can't go back as has no job and can't keep dossing in other people's houses etc etc.
Once she calmed down I just said " demented daughter, life is too short not to be in the place you love and with the people you love. If Spain is where your heart is, then we'll fix it for you.".
Got her home, she fell into dd2s arms. Dd2 hugged her, listened then said " Stop being such a fucking drama queen. If that's what you want then we'll make it happen. Simple. Now stop snivelling and eat the bloody cakes I have spent all day making for you!" kids!

Ma - fab-sounding kids and a fab ma. it all sounds good - but are you ok?

Joey - what Faire said. (which really should be my life mantra). She is wise and right. I do hope you are ok.

So much of your post resonated, so much. Big love to you and well done - I am so sad that your crochet-coping strategy was used (even if unintentionally) against you. Of course people were nice and supportive, but the feeling of being unfairly knocked back is so, so hard to get over. If you feel it will or may be helpful, try to hang in there, even just keeping the possibility of return open rather than closing it off in your mind. One good experience, one negative - third time lucky? It is a journey, so they say, after all. Whatever you decide, you are amazing and our thoughts are with you.

Thanks small. Yeah, I'm fine!

Where is everyone? Are you all OK?

I'm here.
Haven't read back so apologies.
Very, very busy at work and DD has decided that sleep is optional so I've not been online much
Love and hugs to you all

Hey ma how are you doing?

I'm here. Being drinking instead of posting 😣

I'm here. :)

I woke with a splitting headache this morning. Not a hangover, but the pain sure took me right back to how awful I felt when drinking. I told my sponsor earlier I'm calling it the ghost of hangovers past, to keep it festive.

Babyj - I also ended up with medical intervention. Let's just say that run to a hotel didn't end well. When I've been on the bus for a few more stops I will probably share it.

Hope all the other babes are well and thanks for all being here.

I'm here. Not much to report though, just chillin' with my homies

Last day at work for me today so I've got next week off to relax frantically finish the christmas shopping. Will decorate the tree this weekend and make a start on the christmas jigsaw puzzle. Rockin'

I'm here (as always) and chilling with faire and everyone else.

Christmas preparations are well under way although I'm designated driver for several events which means I'll be shushing other people away home well before they're ready.

Fish and chips for tea here and slobbing out after a busy week at work.
Would you believe I have yet another sodding urine infection? Why does this keep coming back?

Evening all,

Late night hello. All good on this seat of the bus, just going to bed.

I'm here..... insomnia is a biatch!

Going to try a sleeper and go to bed. I'll bring you all up to speed with my last few outpatient appointments and what conclusions they've come to.....

I hope you're all well and keeping safe in the ever maddening crowds.

Mouse xxx

Hey mouse how's things, other than being racked with pain and run over and stuff?
snow good to see you. How's tricks?
I have been a domestic goddess today - one pot of leek and potato soup and one pot of spicy carrot and coriander. Next up is banana and blueberry loaf cake and that will be the end of the fruit and veg leftovers.
What are you all up to????
Any chance wry might pop in to say hello

Hi Mouse, hope you managed to get some sleep and the outpatients appointment goes well.

Hi Demented, sounds like you've had a very busy cooking day!

I'm well - currently watching Strictly whilst drinking tea. I had to drive through town earlier and I once again felt the pang of seeing people dressed up, ready to go off and have a fabulous time.

I gave my head a slight shake at the lights. I would have done that once. Dressed up, had a delicious dinner and a few glasses of wine.

In the last few years I would have been anxious about going out in the evening, terrified I would make a fool of myself. Through nerves, and even though I'd have woken with a hangover, I would probably start drinking early. By the time I got there I would probably have already been half pissed, but certainly less anxious...

I'd drink more than everyone else and probably end up in blackout. I'd wake about 5am the following day, sick with anxiety and shame, not knowing what I'd done.

That's my reality.

Will stick to my tea and strictly! Have a lovely evening, babes.

I met friends for lunch today - mid Christmas shopping - what a delight to spend time with them.

mouse I really hope that your healthcare team take a good long look at everything that is affecting you and that you get the best medication you can.

snow I am so impressed that you can see it through to the end and stay sober. Good stuff.
We had a blast tonight playing a game called Linkee - Brilliant for tweens upwards. Our teams ranged from 14 to 80 and we had such a laugh! Here are my two lovely DDS.....

ma they are gorgeous - I bet you are a proud mum

ma your daughters are absolutely beautiful, like their mum I'm sure xxx

I'm still here, still sober, still fat!!!

Love to all xxxx

Thanks all. Does anyone know where the MN secret Santa thnak you thread is? Some lovely person nominated me and I received gift in the post and want to say thank you

It's here ma

How lovely that someone thought of you (No it wasn't me in case you think I'm blowing my own trumpet )

Talking of trumpets, is the band all tuned up and ready to go. Have the carol singers warmed up? And who has eaten all the mince pies?

Someone has dragged a huge Christmas tree in here and not bothered to decorate it, so come on babes get your baubles out