Brave Babes - Barging through 2017 in style

[SweetLathyrus]

Hello, I'm SweetLathyrus (Sweet for short), and I've been hopping on and off Gerald the Brave Babes Battle Bus for three years now because, like some many of us, I struggle with alcohol.

The Bus is a supportive community at all stages in their relationship with alcohol and with lots of different goals - for some, it's abstinence, for others it's moderation, for others, it's just about getting a bit of control and perspective.

So, if you think you'd like to join us, don't be shy, flag us down and jump on board and share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with; sometimes there will be silliness, but there will always be help and support.

If you would like to know how the Bus first rattled into action, here is the first ever thread

And if you would like to know where we have been more recently, here is the most recent thread

Hi all. Not caught up with posts yet but just wanted to let you know about this little book I got on kindle. It's called 52 small changes and I read about it here on mn. At the moment it's only 99p so a nice little 'luxury' treat.

Anyway, it's about changing habits. One a week. Small steps that eventually lead to big changes. It's not about alcohol but sometimes I think it helps to take the focus off alcohol and onto something positive.

I've just started week 1 where I have to make sure I'm drinking enough water. Haven't looked ahead yet because it will give me something to look forward to next week.

I like having small challenges because they are achievable, so just want to recommend in case anyone else would find something like that helpful.

Well done to all those getting through the days. ODAAT

I'm a complete overtired, overemotional mess tonight (yet again). Can't stop crying. Basically think I'm just an overgrown toddler. Counting down the minutes to 8pm then going to take a sleeping tablet and go to bed. Feels like cheating but just need one proper nights sleep!

Faire, small changes sounds really positive - a bit like 'marginal gains' in elite sports coaching, or 'nudge' in social policy; small doable things that add up to a bigger goal.

Elba, it's not cheating, it's protecting yourself. {{hugs}}

Absolutely Elba you need it, take it.

I've been following the 52 changes thread Faire did my water. I must read the whole book, I think this week is sleep

Lies of Locke Lamora is a brilliant book! Must re-read.
Too many to NC and comment on, great to see everyone and I hope you get some sleep tonight Elba.
I haven't done any exercise today but food has been good. Dinner was veggie bean burgers and mangetout. Erm, yum!
Tomorrow will be 10 days AF. Equalling my personal best.
Couldn't do it without you lot.

Lidl deluxe fudge is my new best friend........oh my

Thanks all. Dosed up and in bed, feeling a bit calmer. Day 8 is done but can't summon much enthusiasm. Nights like tonight are exactly why I drink- can't handle feeling like this and no idea what to do about it. Sorry for being a miserable cow. Hope everyone's ok.

Ma, that's brilliant, day 11 tomorrow, you are definitely on a role.

Ooh, Sober, I will need to do a lidl run in the morning - they do do some brilliant sweets and chocs

Sleep well, Elba

Cravings seem to have subsided here. It's so true, they do pass, you just need to take a deep breath and tough it out for half an hour.

Glad that you are feeling a bit better elba and well done on day 8

Elba Anything that helps go for it.

Well im home, fed and in the bath. I've just downed two pints of water and have NO cravings at all for a drink! I'm probably still on the gym high. I'm bloody knackered so I think an early night is in order. Thats 7 days done.
It's pretty shite weather here, blowing a gale and torrential rain. I'm very rural so no chance of friends dropping by tonight with a bottle.

Only 17 g of sugar

I'm addicted to Aldis Stollen bites. I limit myself to one a week as there's 111 in each one!
I am currently craving the mini Bounty bars in the Celebrations.

Anyone know where I can get a nice phone cover for my new phone - a Samsung J3. Been googling but don't want bling or flowers or butterflies,but not totally plain either...
DS has kindly set it all up for me in "idiot" mode so I will understand it!!

Night babes - sorry no nc but totally knackered, first time I've sat down all day. Had a quick read through and you're all doing bloody brilliantly [applause].

I had a brief wobble tonight when DH had his nightly glass of wine - he's one of those weirdos normal people who can have one glass and put the cork back in. But I got past it, as you say Sweet, if you can tough out that half hour then it does get easier.

Night all.
I have the J3 ma but I have a plain leather case so I'm not help.
Hope everyone gets a good sleep. Day 10 approaches, oh my.

Ebay? I got mine sent from Australia. She had a gorgeous peacock feather design and some Monet type designs.

Sweet there you are sorry you've been coldy Haircut sounds lovely, fresh new you for a fresh new year

Ma I've got a phone cover that's got purple glitter and baby stars suspended in water-like liquid - it's really nice sounds bling but it isn't. I've an Iphone but I'm sure they do them for all phones. I pick it up and swirl me stars round Day 11 tomorrow - Yay

Elba I hope you're zzzzz and you have a lovely sleep tonight

Sober fudge looks good

Mint it's blowing a hooly here too and it's getting a bit nip nops Brrrrrrr

Lux Nuff going to look at that book sounds good, a change is as good as a rest and all that. It's being conscious and mindful of what we're doing, only good can come from that, thank you

Beaches how's your boy doing? sending you

Fox hello lovely, how's your day been? It's tube strike city I've been hearing on the news, frigging nightmare hope you're ok x

Margie hope you're day wasn't too manic x

It's taken me so long to write this post, can't seem to co-ordinate tonight.

Sorry not to NC you all. Keep on keeping on Babes x

This seller.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/191916152

Evening all! Michty me the bus has been so busy! ma inspired me to have a good throwing out session yesterday. Work was so busy today, head down and cracked on but my heart wasn't in it so hated myself a little for that.

Still AF, feeling very proud of myself. I am not so proud of my massive pile of pyjamas. I have some lovely pyjamas. Did not throw any of them out.

spanna Oh I am feeling for your bairn. She will make her own way, you'll see. With you as a mam how could she nae conquer the world? Your photos of your beach are so beautiful. The bairn is coping, she's sore on occasion, it breaks my heart. The ct can't come soon enough. xx

hope Tonight I have some very bad news. I cannot find the weeny spiderling that was on my bedhead. He is the same size as a full stop. I fear I may have tidied him away.... I hope not. I am irrationally upset over this. He is most likely snoozing in my earhole or something. I wish I'd put him somewhere safe before I started. xx

I have no soft drinks in tonight which is a bit of a mistake, tea it is.

Sorry for not NCing everyone, I fell behind so fast. I love this bus, we are who we are, warts and all. Happy, sad, struggling and triumphing, we are as one.

Early shift tomorrow, the night wakings are taking their toll. I long for a proper night's sleep.

and I clearly can't count the days from Jan 1st Day 10 tomorrow

Margie glad you eeked the WW bating you, she's a fucking arse. Yes, what is it with these strange people that can only drink one glass how do they do it? I have never done that I hope tomorrow is not as manic for you

Bugger. Wrong link.
This seller! pinkybeauty_au

beaches sorry to hear about your lad. I bet you felt it more than he did. xx

joey sending a big bosie for the wee hamster, xx

lux I've not luxed tonight, I'm very cold, and have just showered and louped into my sheep onesie. Will do better tomorrow, I promise. xx

Ma not good photos but you can kind of see what I mean I gave my phone a good shake beforehand x

Dub so good to see you, sometimes we're not going to be revving on all conscious levels of our jobs, you got through today and that was good enough Tomorrow is another day and a blooming early one by the sounds of it Have a lovely mooch in that onesie darling

I need a sheep onesie, it is -13 here and a sheep onesie would be perfect

My boy is doing good, he has been pretty good humoured despite not being able to play the Xbox! I think he has worked out all the chores he can now avoid and homework extensions......silver linings

I could murder a bottle of wine tonight so think an early night may be the safest escape.

Love to all x

DAY TEN!
Day fucking 10!!! Or 9 or 8 or 3 or 1 or just a mouthful less or having the bravery to make that first post!
I have replaced the giant silver stiletto on the roof( where are you indie) and am starting on a new playlist to blast through the speakers. We are starting with Sisters are Doing it for Themselves, followed by What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Add more!
Oh, and thanks for the phone cover tips.