Brave Babes...braving the Autumn

[Mrsmimsy]

??? Xxx

choco Head out for tea, I reckon. Are your kids invited too? I'm having a quiet one, just been down the road for a tiny bottle of wine. One glass to see the back of this year. Fresh shiny start for tomorrow with a clear head.

When I was saving photos from my old phone, I came across a couple from the 2015 horse trials. I thought I looked bonny that day. I am a cashmere covered bleb. There I am, sat a couple of rows behind the Queen, like a woolly Incredible Hulk. After he gets in a rage. Just camel instead of green.

I am not having it. I have just ordered me a new Barbour, a very fitted one. That's what I will be wearing to the trials this year. And I will fit it. I need a goal to diet and there's mine. That and one of the surgeons is getting married the month before so I want to look bonny for that. I look in the mirror and think I look fine. Photos always beg to differ.

ma thank you quine, means the world, I'm so happy today. My heart is much lighter. Have fun choosing your new bins. The only bit that isn't fun is the price. Still, while you are waiting for them to be made up you'll be missing a few bits o bonny sea glass on that beach. All the more for me! I had to get a nice young man in the Apple store to read out bits for me the other day as I left my glasses at work. I did roar when he said, "I have to do this for my nan".

Washing and ironing beckons. Get my new bedlinen on. I got a lovely Jo Malone candle for Christmas, the person who bought it has the really massive ones on the go all the time in her house. I would struggle to spend that on a candle, but what a lovely treat. going to light it tonight and get my good jammies on. And I got some reduced blueberries for my face mask. A nice positive start to the New Year. Just got to figure out what tunes to play.

Have a lovely day everyone, xx

Hello all - sorry not been around much but have been working so hard lately and then collapsed at Christmas when finally finished the day before Xmas Eve.

Good to see some old faces back so just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year. I have had my usual party cancelled (growing teens all doing their own thing) and the only other one I'm invited to is 50 miles away and have already had a cheeky wine so won't be driving to that. Rather dreading spending NYE in with WB, but then this is always my worst day of the year as it just reflects what I have not done (moved on, booted his sorry ass out on to the street)

However, have done plenty and with the help of the babes. Venus thanks for giving me the courage to go self employed. It has been a bit rocky in places and every little contract I don't get shakes my confidence (as a drinker I don't cope with ups and downs very well without wanting to self medicate!) but generally working on more interesting things and learning loads, meeting new people and generally upping my game to a point where I am very proud

Have met loads of new people this year and kept in touch with all the old ones that I care for

Am getting out more and learning to ignore what is lacking in my home life

My kids are growing up lovely people and I'm proud of them

On the downside, am fatter than ever, on HRT, knocking 50 this year (eek!!!) and only got contracts up until April - but determined to get myself in hand in the New Year, to diet, exercise (not for some unrealistic standard of beauty and thinness but to feel fit, well and proud) and although not doing Dry January plan not to ever drink in the house (and as my diary is clear bar 6 things in Jan and Feb that should make me cut down tons)

Can't NC all as have quite a bit to do today but wanted to extend special hugs to Joey and just say well done for having the courage to act that has so far evaded me (one day!!!) and am here for support if you need it.

To Ma, Spanna, Obrigada, Wry-as-was, Sweet, 42, Elba, Mouse, Made and everyone else on here- hope that 2017 is as good as it can be for all of us. I desperately want tonight over with, have not stayed in on NYE (with the cause of my misery) reflecting on things since 2006 I don't think! Roll on 2017. 2016 has been shit in so many ways and the chaos outside my own life (Trump - FFS!!!! Brexit!!! Syria) makes me shudder for the future for my family. But tomorrow is a New Year and I wish the best for all of us. Stay strong, keep going, lots and lots of love to you all xxxx Hope x

What an amazing bus this is. I'm so happy to be aboard again- life really has not been kind, although it has been extraordinary. I'm going to tidy up my life (fav Brian patten poem) and stick two fingers up at all the shit thrown our way this year.

You are all so kind and lovely and completely insane ( in case anyone thought I was going soft)

sweet that is a very good idea , I'll have a little google and a think.
I've not made many preps for dry Jan so I'll have to steal some good ideas from here.

Love to all x

Eloquenlyt put hope and I am glad you had such positive self growth in 2016. You turned what felt like a hopeless working life into one you control and can grow in. That is awesome chick.

Well, I don't have big plans tonight - a family takeaway and a few drinks then a shiny new attitude tomorrow. I am relieved and dreading it in equal measures but it is time, I can't actually remember my last af evening

So glad to have the braves babes to come to. Love to everyone of you and wishing the best for us all in the new year. Xx

Luffs you, Hope - more than six weeks in the diary is a win if you're self employed - it doesn't feel like it, but it is. Keep on networking, that diary will soon fill up.

Dubh, yes I have fever tree tonic too - I've been looking for fever tree bitter lemon - if you see it it it A-Maze-ing - but I can only get it at the theatre in Chichester! M&S also do a really nice fizzy orange in a big bottle.

Ma, I tried bifocals - (my reading glasses regularly get stolen by the dog), but found that I need Deirdre Barlows for the reading bit to be big enough, and I don't have a big enough nose to hold them up! Now, if my arse needed glasses .

Kate lots of noble intentions, and I hope they work for you. I will say that for me, least the first fortnight, the energy I should be putting into other things will go into obsessing about not drinking. If it was as easy as picking up a book instead, I'd be fine, but I can hold a book in one hand and a glass in the other (way too much practice .

Dubh, a new, fitted Barber! My old Backhouse riding coat is 26 years old - and looks it! One pocket is hanging off where I was mugged by a beagle, the cuffs are full of holes, but I love that coat. I have lots of events this year to get fit for: a holiday with my best friend in Mexico, my step-sons wedding, our ten year anniversary. For once I would like to feel comfortable in front of the camera instead of hiding behind it.

X-posted, Luffs you too, Guggs, Beaches

Afternoon babes, quiet and relatively alcohol free Christmas here😊 Loving the phrase "tidy up my life", hope you don't mind me borrowing it guggs?

Hello Campers

It is that time of reflection isn't it? I also can't wait for a new year. Hope good to see you babe. The world has indeed gone bonkers not in a good way I also worry about our DC futures

Joey you've said your piece and that is a good thing. I totally understand about your pup. You've let it out there which can only be a positive step forward

Dub you make me laugh. So glad terrorist only has infection, twill clear up in no time

Ma I hope you're bringing some of your soldiers onto the bus tonight, I could do with a good oggle

Funny old year for me, emotional roller coaster but thankful to be sober. Here's one of my tales..... Back in April I went to a big family funeral of my DC dad's side. I haven't seen my ex for nearly 7 years. The DD of the old boy that died invited me, she'd found an ancient business card and I hadn't changed my number. So we arrived (I made sure I looked good) went straight up to ex and all said Hello, hugs all round - to say he was shocked to see us was an understatement. At the burial ground another one of my exes childrens mothers came to say hello (she has a son older than my girls), she introduced this girl standing next to her as my DDs sister I said hello, as did my DDs, I asked the girl how old she was, she said 9 - my ex and I split up when my DD was 6 There was a 3 year overlap!!!! I was gracious, polite and I didn't bat an eyelid. Later on at the wake, the rum was flowing and I saw loads of people I hadn't seen for years and thank the universe that I was AF - as I know exactly how the film would have played out. I am very proud of myself

Beaches good to see you flower

Sweet your drinks sound yummy x

I'm working today and tomorrow but just 3 hours - off in a bit, not ideal, but needs must and all that. I love this client, she's 92 and with all her faculties.

Elba sounds tough about your Dad. Just a suggestion, why don't you go 'no contact' for 3 months (Jan-March) and review how you feel then?

Guggs great to see you back x

Hope can you bring the camel out for a bit tonight - we could all do with a spit shower plus I don't think we've introduced him to Barrie

Nuff hope you're all ok

Margie what you up to?

Fox are you still lurking, come and say hello x

Claret are you reading too?

I'll be back later, apologies for my drivel

Beaches do we need a list of Babes doing JD?

Forgot you there Mouse hugs and cheese for you honey

Orbrigada you are amazing Good to see you x

Wonderful to see so many familiar names! It's like an awesome Babe gathering of solidarity. Now,let's see if we can lure out indie and Venus

The bussy's cup runneth o'er wi lovely folk today.

hope look at you go ma quine! You have gripped your worklife by the balls and come out the other side a new person.

It sounds like your mind has had a rare (Scottish rare) old workout. That is good for the soul. Ye've found your hope!! New folk, new friends, new challenges. So what about yon WB sitting at hame mouldering in his ain misery. He is only soor because he's watching you blossom. You are his Dorian Gray. You are emerging from a cocoon, poking your wings oot bit by bit, he's being bound ever tighter in fusty webs, doomed to be eaten alive by the darkness inside him.

Your kids are you. You did that. You deserve to feel pride, for them, for you, for your future. You are giein it laldy, you had some testing times this year but you have come oot the other side. Couldn't be more chuffed for you. Me and the bairn are shoogling our pompoms in awe.

Your targets sound fab and achievable. Here's to 2017 being a fab year for a new you, not that I think you need improving at all. Your posts are always warm and a real beacon of hope. So happy to see you! ((((((((((((Bosiestightly)))))))))))) Xxx

Yeah dubh kids too! Dp doesn't feel that well so said we will do couple of hours. So much action on hear not read all post. X

Ah, a list....I do love a list but I am way out of my depth here

Spanna your sobriety is beyond fabulous, you are a guiding light . The funeral and it's curveballs sounded horrifying - you were calm and gracious (at least outwardly) bloody awesome!

I am too nervous to try for a namecheck yet but I am stupidly happy to be here. Just keep the lid on horrid baby doll....

sweet ooh Fevertree bitter lemon you say? Now that would be fab, that's my go to pretend drink bitter lemon and tonic water. Almost like a gin in the right dilution. Will keep my eyes peeled. The little deli does some, but not that one. Will see if they can source it.

My Barbour Burghley sounds like your Backhouse. well loved. Little used to take it to her bed and sleep with it. Even when it's freshly waxed it looks battered but they will have to peel it out of my cold, dead hands. So many memories in that coat. Happy, sad, cold, wet, excited. It's my favourite coat, and all the dogs have taken it to their hearts. If the dog coat is going on, happy times ahead. It gets hung out for a good air every time it's sunny or frosty, it smells of sunshine and frost and hay. I figure cold or heat kills a multitude of bacteria on a wax. I love the sound of your well loved coat, right up my street!

My new coat is one of the equestrian ones, slightly dipped at the back with a fitted waist. My cord jodhs and my Dubs will look lovely with it.

Mexico! What a treat, you lucky thing. Have you an idea what you want to do for your anniversary?

What say you we emerge from our battered Barbours all healthy bodied and proud next year? I love what you said about being comfortable in front of the camera. I am a hider too. Not this year coming though. We will rock it! Our dogs will love the new, fitter us too. It's a winner all round. here's to your arse being too wee to hold your glasses up! Xxx

Loved the comment about the arse glasses!
So much positivity in the air. Don't be daunted by DJ. If you don't manage full Dry ( and I never have) then do Drier. Any reduction is good.
So you go to horse trials with the Queen dubh? Something you're not telling us????

beaches ((((((((((((bosies))))))))))))) hello quine!!! It'll be fine, you'll see! Like Joey from Friends said, feel the fear a little bit of trepidation is only natural, we place too much pressure on ourselves to ace everything. One day at a time. There are no fails, we will always have a shiny new tomorrow to wear our Tabards of Try.

Shoulder to shoulder. Pulling together. We will make this a good un. You'll see. Xxx

ma not with her no. Pretty sure everyone in that row was security checked when we bought tickets though. we weren't even frisked by the big mahoosive 'spectators' sat here and there. Perhaps horse trials folk are just expected to play nice.

When she took her seat I could have patted her hat. No duke that day tho, I quite like him and would have loved to hear his commentary. They unloaded her battered old chair out of the Range Rover. Loved that.

I hope she's feeling better, I forget she's as old as my great granny was when she died. She does too much I think. she's still somebody's mam.

I remember her putting William Fox-Pitt's medal on. He practically had to bend in half she's so wee. But she looked beautiful. Her skin is amazing.

ma my connections.

I'm Princess Anne.

Not really. Princess Anne is lovely, she signed my book. GentleLab ate it when she was a pup.

Did you get some new bins? I too love the idea of arse glasses.
I would go for some seventies Elton John ones.

Can I join the battered Barbour brigade? Sorry I have been completely hopeless and absent of late. Just got back from holiday, time flew, drank the bare minimum, and felt all the better for it. Alas, back to reality again now and back on it. Going to write this evening off and try and attempt a DJ.

Love to all, and happy new year, babes. I hope you are all as well as can be, and here's to a fresh start.

Love lala xx

Lady Dub has a nice ring to it

Beaches you're our 'list' Babe x

lala good to see you babe x

Calling all Babes MIA - come out, come out where ever you are

spanna eeh that funeral could have been all shades of awkward!

I'm so chuffed you went there looking your best, with a dignified force field frock on. Bloody hell, you did well there sweetpea. That would have knocked a lesser person for six. That was really lovely of you to attend, it just amplifies how far you've come. Your girls must have been so proud.

Some trim for the bottom of your smock

Hopefully you are off duty and have a lovely evening planned, big (((((((((((((((((((((((((bosies))))))))))))))))))))))))) xxx

spanna there's a whole bit missing! Should have read - That was so lovely of you to attend. It can't have been an easy situation to put yourself into, especially knowing that there would be alcohol flowing. And to come through it all without having a drop? Well, it just amplifies how far you've come.