The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Battling The Wicked Wine Witch, One Day At A Time!

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm mouse, one of the Babes who have been on this lovely, rickety bus called Gerald for some time now!

There's no judgy pants worn on this bus, nor hoking of bosoms!! It's filled with every day life, love and laundry. As simple as that. The rest falls in between.

We're a welcoming, supporting thread, filled with a mine of information from many years of experience, from those who have consumed alcohol day in, day out...hidden the 'habit', the lie, disguised our drinking with many an excuse. So perfected over the years or new to the guilt of drinking more than you think you should.....

Anyway, old or new, lurker or not, come and say hello to us if you feel the need. We'd love to meet you if we haven't already :)

Thank you for reading this, find a seat, hide green opal fruits if you find any, they're like gold dust around here! Aren't they ma!!

See you soon, I hope.

Mouse x

And, if you'd like to see where we all began, sit with a cup of tea/coffee and have a peek at this - the beginning

And our latest thread that will take you back to many others enjoy your read!

elba this is a very brave and massive step towards conquering your demons, so proud of you for all your courage and honesty. What is it they say "the only thing to fear is fear itself" your so much stronger than you thought you were!!! Big hugs lovely lady xxxx

Truly hoping for good news ma xx

special I've clambered my way back from where your at. My parents took my kids and I thought I'd lost my soul in a wine bottle. Ive also had relapses but they get fewer and further apart. Don't give up, you have an army of strong women waiting here to help you back up. Lots of love xxx

elba well done! I used to work nights and they truly suck.

Well, I fell off the wagon at day 11, really disappointed. I can't even pinpoint why. I know I was expecting big weight loss and it didn't happen so I was feeling a bit down about that. I know that sounds so vain and inconsequential compared to everyone else's troubles.

Back on the bus today.

elba I'm fine. And so brilliant going straight to bed after work. Turn that into a habit by doing it over and over again and the other unhealthy one will be exchanged for the new one. Didn't exactly have an AF week but not too many units either. My poison is wine so I think I have cravings that could be equated to sugar. I decided to get a hot choc from my local shop the other day along with my alcohol and by the time I got home having drunk the hot choc I wasn't nearly as keen to drain the bottle. New plan!! New habit!!

Yesterday had a very good and a bit of a sad day. I went shopping with my DD. She has her confirmation in a month or so. She looked so beautiful in her new dress she said she felt like it was her wedding dress. My DH has terminal cancer which is why I need to kick this beast into touch. It's a slow growing type so we have a few years so who knows they may find a cure. But I cried so hard last night when she twirled around in her dress showing him knowing he may never walk her down the aisle. I hid in the loo but she caught me. This is rare, I usually choose my moments but I couldn't help it.

Today I'm in a spiritual mood. Roughly 2000 years ago today a man was sentenced to death. He was given a heavy cross to bear and on his way to die he stumbled many times. Along the way people helped him carry his cross and he got up and kept going.

Whether you believe in God or not that part of the story is true. But the next bit is where he rises from the dead after 3 days. This Easter I'd like to think we are all carrying our own burdens and we have, and still are are stumbling many times, but through this site we are all helping each other get up and keep going and we WILL rise again. That bit we must believe.

So my 3 wishes for Easter are:

They find a cure for my DH
We all get well
And finally I wish you all a very Happy Easter

Love from Wish X

And btw you're all brilliant, won't NC you all but your stories are heartwarming and inspiring.

Morning babes,

wish that was a lovely lovely post. I'm so sorry about your dh, that's an awful situation to be in. Your posts are so warm and generous and a m so glad you enjoyed your day with your dd. I guess your situation most definitely shows us how precious life is and how fragile. Every day we live we cannot get back, I've lost too many precious days pissed, lying in my own vomit and misery, it does a huge disservice to those that are no longer with us or those who have no choice but to leave this world too soon.

Like mouse I'm feeling a bit restless, not quite satisfied, as though there's something out there for me to find, I really don't know what it is but I know I can be more than I am IFSWIM.

Anyway returned to the gym yesterday and managed a steep walk on the treadmill for 40 minutes, I can honestly say it was the most alive I've felt in ages, I was buzzing and all charged up with music and seratonin. I guess until the big things become apparent I'll just carry on with the small stuff!!!

It's Easter weekend and the sun is shining, heading out cycling with my dd's. This weekend I will not be drinking alcohol, will simply try to taste and savour the elixir of life and be grateful to have that chance xxxx

You guys rock my world xxx

Hello babes. Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a Happy Easter. Bank Holidays are often prime drinking time for many of us, me included, so wishing you resilience in the face of the wine witch (beer bitch, cider cow, alliterate with your poison of choice at will).

I am winning and losing, AF stretches, moderate ones, boozy ones. Trying to be a good mum and friend and to justify myself at work in scary new self employed world. Today not a great day due to family issues but its all part of the mix.

Can't namecheck all as on phone but briefly, Special you are not lost to us, heartbroken at the hard time you are having but willing your DH better and whether you are sober, trying or temporarily giving up we are still here rooting for you. Made - hope you are OK. Think of you often xxx. Elba you are rocking it, strong and brilliant lady, Wish, beautiful post, I wish your DD the most magical confirmation ever and hoping for a cure for your DH, Baby you are just a as is Spanna (still rocking the new bargain boots). Ma hope last night went well and you got a positive decision work wise (email me xxx) and to all of you Happy Easter

wish thank you for your lovely post, and hoping everyone has a good weekend, working or not, drinking or not - there is a definite feel of spring in the air....

looking I think back to last year when you were so, so stressed and deeply unhappy in your work - and with very little you could do to control it. Now - well look at you

Wish that was a beautiful post hope you and your family have a lovely Easter

wish what a lovely post. I second your three wishes. Hope you are having a lovely weekend with your family.

cunning you got to day 11 which is amazing! Don't underestimate what an achievement it is, and if you've done it once you can do it again.

claret and lobster how are you doing?

baby exercise can make you feel amazing can't it?! I'm always at my best when I'm in the habit of regular exercise (need to get back to it!), and love that buzz!

I've had a good day with lunch and a walk on the beach in the sunshine with a lovely friend (and seemingly most of the population of the south coast!). Was feeling a bit meh about having to work Sunday, but looking at the forecast I'm just thankful I had today off and was in a state to make the most of it.

Realised I'm going to have to spend most of tomorrow studying. Big professional exam coming up in May which has felt like it's ages away but worked out its 8 weeks yesterday. It's a two day thing which has cost me a fortune so need to make the best of it, but can't decide if the stress will be a positive or negative at the moment (hoping it might spur me on to moderate as will need to make better use of days off).

I never dare try to name check everyone as you have all given me so much support and encouragement and I would hate to miss anyone out, but I hope everyone has a lovely Easter weekend whatever you are doing.

hope totally agree with the very wise venus you have came in leaps and bounds, chuffed to hear you sounding so together and balanced xxx

elba your walk sounds amazing, there's a great big world out there, we get caught up in the shit and drink to cope with it but when you have the courage to step out of the shadows, there is sunshine and hope xxx

As thanks Baby, and Venus thanks to you too, you were such a help in giving me the strength and practical advice to move on ... Not all out of the woods yet, will be out of work again when my contract ends in a few months but am in a much better place now. Getting a lot of Timehop / Facebook memories up from 12 months ago and we were all in a desperate place at work, but we've all moved on to better, happier things. I will never forgive certain people for how we were treated, but the friendships that came out of it amongst the survivors will last forever. Am hoping Ma eventually gets something good out of the upheaval at her place too.

Going to small great-nephew's party soon with dd. Looking forward to seeing lovely niece and adorable great-niece, shuddering at thought of 20 screaming 6 year old boys in small play area and at having to see utterly vile SIL, the family's vain, entitled, narcissistic ageing diva (think of a woman pushing 60 and dressing 16 with a loud overbearing and rude personality, and you're about half way to imagining her awfulness ). Later on am taking dd to see Zootropolis . Am amazed she agreed to accompany me to a kid's film (she's 12 going on 20 ). I'm obviously still in the good books after taking her to see Little Mix .

Enjoy your day lovely babes.

Hi all, glad to read some lovely positive posts this past week. Have to say though special my thoughts are with you, hope you are ok and big hugs.

elba you are making great strides in the right direction, I hope you can take your successes and build on them. One day you'll look back and suddenly see how far you have come.

I'm ok but am going to lurk for a bit I think. You're all fantastic though and such an inspiration. I hope you all have a lovely, peaceful, happy Easter whatever you are doing

Happy Easter claret don't lurk for too long

I'm very drunk. Probably rehab. They looking at how to do it.
Dm very kind
Sorry pop. E everyone

special I am sorry to hear that you are in such a hard, dark, scary place in your life (and in your journey with drinking). But I'm glad if you're getting a chance at rehab - it was good that you made it through rapid detox but hopefully rehab will help to with strategies and plans and all the right kind of support so that you can keep making steps towards recovery. It is so worth it - and you are worth it.
I'm glad your dm is there helping you. Wishing you all the best, and thanks for letting us know x

Dm promised she take kids. I'm very grateful. Burnt hand. L last straw.
Dh sad.
Why do you not hate me. I'm trash
Grabbed pan forget glove clause drink
I love my mom
God bless her...
I'm her foster child, but she never left me
Going to rehab
S ad

Good luck special it's the right thing. You needed rehab last time v hard detox no rehab. Keep posting when you can. Take care.

Pop, would you come see. Me someday?
I've no friends left.
Yes need rehab...dm sees t h at
May be get spa! Huh!

Perhaps i come uk again. One day
Dm devastated. She didn't realise

They not stop me give me gin
Wellbriety rehab take me
Dm organized it
I'm disaster
Why

Oh Special big hugs. You are not a disaster, you are struggling with alcoholism. There are many, many of us who find it hard to control our drinking. Many are famous, powerful people who were once where you are now, got professional help and carried on with having good lives. You are not a bad person. When you are sober your lovely funny personality shines through. Your Dh and dm love you. Your kids love you. And we are all here to support you. Best of luck in rehab, you will get through it and you will be well again. Look at Baby, at Spanna, at JWN who began this thread. You can do it. You can. Sending you massive, massive love my darling.

Long time lurker - feeling very anxious and sad today.

When I'm drinking I'm life and soul of the party, I love it, I love wine - everyone knows I love wine and it's become an in joke and become entrenched in who I am.

But I've been in bed since Friday with shocking hangover and residual depression and anxiety - couldn't do Easter clues last night, left it for Dh, I lay rotting in bed this morning while the kids were excitedly hunting

Dragged myself up and I'm soaking in the bath

Going for Easter meal at parents soon, there will be wine

Just catching up
special take all the help you can get and we will be here when you come back. We are all with you, wherever we are in the world. These babes supported me as I struggled to get my brother into rehab, almost 3 years ago. They, we, will support you.
whoopsi same goes for you. Try and moderate today if you can, soft drinks and water in between if you must have wine.
Hang in there babes.
Waves to hope. Where the flip is Indie?

special I'm with you in spirit you are going to the place you need to be to get sober and strong. Welcome whoopsi try and moderate tonight like ma said you've come to the right place to get support.

sweet are you out there?

Mixed day today. A very bad night coughing and wheezing saw me in A and E this morning getting my asthma under control.
Lunch with family and friends - roast lamb, potatoes dauphinoise and a delicious key lime pie - all good.
Now exhausted.

Hey Ma, sounds delicious. I spent the day with dd and went to see Zootropolis which we didn't get round to yesterday as ended up spending it with lovely niece. It was a brilliant feel good film. Which I need as 4 days at home with WB make me feel bad . Moaning bastard. MIL birthday Tuesday, so another bloody in-law meal beckons . Think WB is waiting for me to go and get card and present as I usually do. I'm not. Oh, and dd announced today she is vegetarian . Going to do a big kitchen session tomorrow and experiment finding new dishes for her so she doesn't become an unhealthy chips, pasta and pizza vegetarian. Luckily she is interested in nutrition and likes to cook, unlike ds who cannot even butter toast .

On the wine tonight I'm afraid. Bank Holidays always make me feel sad, everyone posting happy family get togethers or walks or trips to restaurants or theme parks on FB or going away with groups of friends, and I am stuck with a grumpy hermit for a husband! Oh well , at least there's chocolate..