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

Ah dubh I remember Little and can't believe it's been two years! Such a bonny dog and your best friend.

The wine witchhas been sneaking about all day,so I bought alcohol free wine. God, it's disgusting!

Marathon is 23rd April margie. A half marathon in October sounds like a much more sensible goal than what I'm doing! I'm not a natural or experienced runner at all asthmatic smoker, I'm only pushing the mileage as for some stupid reason was hammered I though entering a ballot for the London marathon was a great idea. I know someone who's entered 8 years in a row and still not got a place- it's too good an opportunity to miss. Certainly won't be breaking any records though!

One day a week drinking feels achievable (I hope), it will undoubtably be binge drinking but better than every day. Need a plan otherwise I know I will self destruct and keep going round in circles.

Babes as a long term follower and not poster do you know that this thread is being advertised as a 'social network website' on a pinned post on mumsnet? Just a heads up it may be fine but so you're all aware - some of you might not want it advertised as such. Apologies if I'm wrong!

I saw that post but it is the Soberistas site that is the social network. This thread is linked in the post though. This is a public forum so anyone can read or join in so I'm comfortable, as with any thread on mumsnet I'm cautious not to identify myself too much and fudge details a little bit.
It's really good of you to mention it though, thanks.
If you've been lurking just because you enjoy reading that's great but if you feel you could do with joining us, hop on!

I don't know what Empire's message means but it's got me a bit freaked out.

Sweet in slight stalker fashion I saw The Dresser on Wed too. Thought acting was fab, didn't love the play.
Dubh I have also always thought highly of Ken Stott, he may have gone off my list now, but I still see his charms
No drinking this week, weekends are difficult but this evening was sorted with a trip to the cinema.
Now a long weekend to look forward to and be fit and active (ish) throughout.
Have a good one all.

Oh I see- I think a link from & to soberistas is probably ok. I was going to post last night but was quite worried about the link. Yes, of course this is a public place and it's probably good to have a reminder of that now and again.

Though given the total nonsense and the gentle nature of the bus, I don't think we'll ever be of interest to the daily fail. Actually, I am very thin and tall with awesome cheekbones and swishy hair. ( ha, they'll never identify me now)

ma try not to think the worst. He may just need some iron or a course of something or other. Waiting for info is horrible, I always wish they'd just tell you what the problem is over the phone then at least you wouldn't have to wait.

Yay- nearly at the end of dry Jan and January is a long month. Well done us : ) I am commiting to do dry July and sober October too. I'm not going back to drinking in Feb but I'm not aiming to be completely teetotal either, will have a drink on Valentine's Day.

Morning lovely babes, today I will not be drinking.

Morning all. DS is 15 today. My baby. Well at six foot 1 he's a rather large baby but he's the baby of the family. I was going to say "where has the time gone?" But as dd1 is 26, it doesn't do to focus on these things too much!
AF wine went down the sink to scour out the pipes. Don't waste you money on it. 20 days done.

So, last night I had 2 pints and then stopped. No alcohol in the house which is a good thing. I am not that upset about the 2 pints, actually pleased I had that amount and then went home. Strange thing this relationship with alcohol lark. Working late tonight so no alcohol today and none tomorrow either as I have a really early start on Monday.

Ma Happy birthday to your boy [cake
20 days - well done you that's brilliant, I've never had AF wine can't say it really appeals.

Like you guggs I am going to try not to go back to the bottle in February but tee-total seems too much pressure, as I said before it will be a case by case basis and I hope to 'plan' my drinks for social occasions, who knows if hat will work? Never tried it before tbh so I've no idea just hope.

Morning everyone else, hope you all had a good evening and have a great day ahead.

Ooops ma

Hi, I found out about this chat on another thread so hope you don't mind if I join?

I'm trying to cut down on my booze intake cause I'm getting stressed about how quickly I've fallen back into my evening wine habit since having dd (4 weeks ago )

I drank a lot before we got pregnant and stopped as soon as I found out but now she's here I've fallen into the same trap again and I get narky if I'm not allowed to be on my merry way with my wine.

I managed 2 nights off this week but then ploughed through 2 bottles on 'my night off' from the baby so feeling fuzzy headed and shit today. So with 2 boys and the baby I'm struggling to remember why I drank all the wine seeing as I knew I'd feel like this and I know how loud my kids are

Hi everyone
Is there space for my ample rear?
I came across this site via soberistas where I've been hanging out for the last few months.
I'm currently on day 27 aiming for 100-day-challenge.
Keep strong, life is so much better when not seen via the bottom of the glass.
I have to do 100 days. I told my kids at the start of the year that I was doing it and they cheered. How's that for "bad mother from hell" award?

Hello Flowers & Joanne welcome.

Joanne I had the same with my daughter, she was my wake-up call to be honest and I could not longer hide my swaying, slurring and memory lapses (How did we get home last night darling? you know how forgetful I am)
Flowers yep, I started again the night we got back from hospital when DD was a newborn, only a glass mind but it crept up and up. I can't tell you the amount of nights I woke up on her bed at 4am having passed out while reading to her - I wish I could undo all that but I can't, I can only move forward.

You will find plenty of support here, no judgements, just share as little or as much as you're comfortable with, we have a laugh too!

Thanks luxury that makes me feel so much better as I was the same, I actually went without painkillers a couple of nights so I could have a 'well deserved' glass but it's definitely crept up and I feel like I'm back to where I was before the pregnancy.

My son ran down the booze aisle pointing out 'mummy's juice' when he was a lot younger so that should have shamed me then really

Flowery yep, mummy juice indeed. This mummy is now drinking cranberry and soda in a wine glass, it has the dry tang I like and the wine glass gives me a psychological reassurance.

I never thought I could do this you know, but these past 4 weeks have given me clarity of thought, clearer skin and much, much better sleep, throw in more patience and it's difficult to understand why I would want to undo all that for the sake of a bottle or 2 of Pinot, and yet...

I want to get to the stage where it doesn't occur to me to sling booze into the shopping basket (£40 a week, I mean really, then wonder why I can't afford a holiday or have to budget for new school shoes ffs) but I can't see myself just yet as a total non-drinker. I'm not brave enough just yet to invite people over for dinner but perhaps in the coming months.

Well done Godot and a warm welcome to Newbies.
Just bought the boy some new football boots and will have to remortgage the house.It's not as if he's fucking Maradona either, they're for a kick around in the park!
Hairdresser has scalped me and I now look like a marine,and a particularly ugly one.

Poo head emoticon cakes for DS birthday, made by DD1.

They are brilliant ma

Just eaten about 8 biscuits and feel sick, bet Beyoncé doesn't stick her head in the biscuit tin to stop herself opening a bottle. Must channel glamorous and together type of women.

So babes, this is the last Saturday of January then. DD has asked me if I plan to continue not drinking wine - the look of hope in her eyes, I've no choice really have I?

I've told her that while I may have the odd beer or a drink when I socialise I won't be going back to regular wine drinking. I've said it now...

Hello flowers Godot and Joanne!

Now ma there is nothing wrong with looking like a marine. Them's sexy.

My eyes are shit with autoimmune crap and I read that it wasn't as if your bairn was Madonna. Can see him vogueing down the pitch. Loving the wee shiteyface cakes, especially love that they are brown. Happy Birthday SonOfMa! May you have a stonker of a day

Bloody hell elba the London Marathon!!!! I am agog. Now that is a target and a half. If you need sponsoring for owt let us know eh? I can't run worth a shit but would be delighted to support those that can.

Fred I love Ken in Rebus. But Messiah. I couldn't give a shiny shite about the crimes/solving of crimes/aftermath. I just wanted there to be some gratuitous nudity.

I'm on call this weekend. Just finished at work, called in just after 7am. I could be done with a nap but need to take the terrorist out first. I am done in, very stressful morning. Managed a smile or two in the afternoon. But it's good in a way. I need to be sober this weekend and I'm working til Weds. I'm nearly there.

My face now looks like I'm recovering from a hearty punch to the eyes. Dusky lumps where my eye bags would be. Because I was stuck at work and was too lazy to make an emergency pack up last night in case I was called in, I had a slice of toast. White toast.

It was lovely. Now that's a whole nother sidecar of a bus to be sitting in. I might be sitting in that particular sidecar the rest of the weekend.

Pasta. Pizza. Garlic bread. Fighting the urge to nip down to M&S for a basket of carby goodness.

I know ma, it seems like two minutes since I lost her. She was a good dog, I still struggle with the suddenness of it all. I didn't say goodbye properly and it haunts me that she didn't know just how much I loved her.

Fucks sake. Crying like a tit now typing that.

Dubh my first dog died 30 years ago and I can still bring myself to snotty tears thinking about his last car journey.

Oh LW it's so hard letting them go, I wish there was a magic wand for that bit. (((((bosieforyou)))))

I am clarting my face in Moogoo to see if I can settle my skin. A small nod to my inner LuxuryWomanbeing. I left the house sans makeup this morning as literally 10 mins notice before being picked up. I did get a box of Bare Minerals Velvet eyeshadows delivered, I promise I will play with them tomorrow, I won't let you down! xx

LittleLab and GentleLab saw me through some very dark days, I am forever in their debt for their kind, unwavering acceptance of who I was.

Terrorist and I do not have that relationship yet. It'll take time, she resents being fed endless meds, coping with dressing changes, being cooped up, getting half rations so she stays slim, never being allowed to just play and be a dog. I resent not being able to disappear off for a long walk with her off the lead just to have down time after work. (Not her fault, I know). The love is there, for sure it is, but it's complicated. I hope she comes through this psychologically, it's been super stressful for her.

Do they do relationship counselling for dogs and their humans?

I think Noel should offer that service (amongst others)

I treated myself to a facial serum today, get me I'm practically Gwyneth Paltrow
Clean sheets on the bed tonight, so nice to be able to enjoy them and not just pass out drooling and snoring.

Today is AF, tomorrow holds no fear.

Oh and moogoo ? Moo goo? Something to do with cows?

There are many services that Noel could offer, and I for one would happily pay... 😀

ma love the cakes, hope your DS has a lovely day