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

Afternoon Babes,
Hi Coffee it's lovely here on the bus, very glad I joined, hope you enjoy it too
I'm feeing confident about tonight as I don't normally succumb on a Wednesday, bit nervous about tomorrow onwards.

Loving the pictures of the sea, I love to be around water.
Sorry to hear you're feeling anxious 42 one day at a time, it's very difficult especially when we've all been out of routine with Christmas and new year, so much temptation around and stuff left over. Keep talking through the anxious feelings and try to distract yourself.

I just popped to see a friend, she's a recovering alcoholic, we had a glass of water no questions asked (she often gets me in a bottle of wine which is very generous in the circs, I never expect it), she said my skin was looking good so I'm happy about that.

I now have an hour to myself which is a luxury, and might start my new book.

I'm trying not to think past January, or even the weekend and in my head I'm calling it 'Try January' to take the pressure off.

I have to say it's amazing how nice undies, bright lipstick and a squirt of perfume can put a spring in your step, instead of feeling all puffy faced and bloated hoping I don't bump into anyone. I'm rather liking my alter ego.

Mip you have a booze cupboard? Massive respect at not drinking any, I manage because there's nothing to drink in the house, but even then only just.
Spanna that is beautiful.
Sweet I've downloaded a C25K app. I've sent for some trainers and a new lead thing for the dog. I really want to do it but I'm so unfit. My things should be here on Friday so aim to either start over the weekend or Monday. Will you let me know when you start? It would give me some incentive to get my bum in gear. I've looked at the app and the first days you walk for a bit then run for a minute. I'm terrified as I don't know if I can even run for one minute, that's how pathetic I am! Still really want to try.

My walk this morning.........freezing but good

Sorry xpost lux, sounds like you've had a good day and nice your friend noticed your skin.
I'm not too worried about today either but like you I worry for Thursday. It was usually a drink night. ODAAT!

Just marking my place. I know I have been rubbish of late. Off out in the cold to ride lalapony, she will be highly unimpressed at being dragged (no doubt kicking and screaming about animal rights, and threatening me with the rspca) out of her cosy stable.

Will make some time to have a proper catch up. Well done to all the DJ babes.

Love lala x

Ps sober, love that pic!

Proper booze cupboard lunk and a beer fridge :/

And because of my - cough - reputation I got given nice booze for xmas too.

DP is teetotal and if the booze is shut away it's less of a temptation - I don't have a current bottle open so as long as I don't start, I'm ok. If grumpy.

My problem is being invited out for a drink. I have no off switch. It's a friend's birthday next week and I think I'll have to say I can't go. Christ knows why people keep inviting me anyway, I act like an 18 year old who's just left a convent school. Being the one on the table suggesting jaeger bombs at 2am was good when I was 18, a bit tragic now I'm middle aged...

Was going to post lovely thoughtful stuff but I'm hungry and craving a big glass of cold white wine. Not going to have it. Off to fill face with crisps instead.
I knew it was too easy so far!

We will have good days and bad Gugg
For me drinking is so normal it's as if I think, right, done that, back to normal now.

God I could murder a glass of wine!
As well as the walk at lunchtime, Dd1 ( aka Hitler in Knickers) had me out tonight on my fitness programme. I was supposed to jog for a minute, walk for a minute x10. Didn't quite manage it all but gave it a damn good shot. Am knackered and hungry!

waiting for OH to get home so I can go out for a horrible, cold, dark run when what I really want is a large glass of red on the sofa

Have spent the last two hours building DD's Sylvanian Supermarket. It has over a hundred ingredients to make/fold/swear at. My biggest AF challenge so far... but at least all the stickers are on the right way up, which wouldn't have been the case had they been accessorised with a glass or two of Sancerre. However, it did add insult to injury to discover the Sylvanians have access to a full cabinet of merlot, champagne and Pinot g. Surely something wrong there?

smallfox does it really have a wine section? In a toy? God no wonder boozing is so normalised if plastic furry creatures are at it

Yup, Lux it really does - or three bottles anyway, plus some beer. Maybe the badger family got the spirits. I'm not one to get too het up about the vicissitudes of kids toys but I have to say this did slightly startle me. Maybe it's good to normalise this stuff - though mortifying when DD gave me the mini bottle of Pinot Grigio and said 'this is for you because you like it'.

I feel like I'm seeing things with fresh eyes. I am selling up and a lady came round last night to view, lovely woman, very chatty and within 3 minutes she was telling me how much she drank last night, all the champagne she'd had over Christmas. It's made me think. I can't remember the last time I invited someone over for coffee, always to come round for a glass of wine. When I was younger people used to visit their friends for a cup of tea right?

Hmm.

Hope everyone ok this evening.

Just shows how normalised drinking is in this country Lux.

We are a true nation of boozers.

How is everyone doing? I managed to go for my run, it was as cold and horrid as I expected, but glad I've been.

Trying not to think about how much I would love a nice glass of red wine right now as a reward....

Ha the ww can fuck off now. Am on second cup of tea and I finished off the mince pies. All ok now.

Am impressed at the sylvanian family building. I suppose that I really could use some sober time to help ds with his sodding lego. The wine cellar is quite funny. Does mummy sylvanian look like she necks a glass of red as soon as baby sylvanian a have fucked off for the night?

Those photos are gorgeous please keep posting them.

Re the juicing: the day started well with a kale & cucumber. Rapidly gave way to a large coffee and 2 chocolate bars which had been hidden at the back of a cupboard. Several cups of tea and mince pies down, I'm feeling much better.

Well done on the run. It's something I'd like to try. I used to enjoy running when I was younger but life got in the way. I'm a bit scared to try again because all my wobbly bits will flap about behind me as I move. 😁

I have had a N & T and a cup of tea and will make day 4 now. Had to cheat on the diet though and we had takeaway, but I had the crispy duck with spring onions and lettuce to make the wee pancakes, so it wasn't the worst thing on the menu. I think DJ, diet and fitness all at once is too much.
Welcome

All fine up north with me, I decided just to get on and do the first day of C25K. Borrowed my daughters trainers and did it. It wasn't great but not as bad as I expected, I must look fucking hideous tho but I only passed one other person and maybe 4 cars (live in the arse end of nowhere). The dog did brilliant, he's old and a bit chubby too but he was off. Poor thing is passed out next to me on the couch now
Mip I recognise myself so much in your description of the jaeger bombs at 2am. That's exactly something I would do, I just go over end, I start as I'm worried about being out socially but then I just keep going. I think people expect it from me now tho, oh what a laugh they have, but I can't cope with being that person any more. I actually very rarely go out anymore which I'm vexed about but I'm tired of being the loud tit. Plus I'm 45, bloody hideous. My dp is also teetotal, so he doesn't understand why I don't go out and just have a couple of glasses or even go out and not drink.
Hopefully I will sleep better tonight, can't be worse than last night at least (I hope).

guggenheim I'd recommend the C25K app. Honestly anyone can run, you just have to start slowly and build up. I think a lot of the time people throw themselves in and give up as it's too horrible. I couldn't run to catch a bus when I started and HATED it. Now I see it as a chance to get out of the house and away from the pestering of my kids for 40 mins

I have done C25K several times and always managed the 5k Race for Life at the end of it. But then I stop and slide right back to zero. As was shown by tonight's effort!
Day 4 done and dusted. Haven't done 4 days AF in over two years!

Brilliant, well done ma

Crikey you runners, I can barely run a bath

Well done on the C25K!

Here's hoping we all get some good sleep tonight, I think I will feel it's worth it and coming together if I sleep properly. At the moment I feel like shit AND I have no wine.

What's a N & T? Just plain tonic?

Hmm hello this the same guys on here from last week??