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

joey my dear, do you and LW fancy a belly rub?

Cock premature post finger.

From Noel. That's what I meant. From Noel.

I repeat. I do not offer 'special services'.

Jeezaloo. I've scared you all away.

I am not the new Cynthia Payne. I am not the new Cynthia Payne. I am not the new Cynthia Payne.

Honest guv.

dubh you're v funny

Come on moogloo please.

Mr Lux has bought me home a bottle of wine, not a kind gesture, a prat gesture. Got to stay strong.

Just checking in babes, your posts make me laugh out loud and also cry sometimes at your utter honesty (I still cry for my dogs long gone) and unwavering support for each other, so glad to be back!!
ma I know this probably won't help much but They call You in for bloods for any discrepancy however small, scary as it is it happens to me all the time with Crohn's abnormalities, which happens a lot. Unless they are totally normal the receptionist, even Doctor will not discuss. Cryptic and worrying but almost always nothing to worry about.

I keep meaning to post a biggie to tell you how these sober months and my depression have changed me but never had the time to do it justice but suffice to say my life whilst still challenging and always will be, I have peace in my life and my children are so much happier, it humbles me every day. I cannot change the past only the future, that's all any if can do.

ODAAT go I xxx

Baby hellooo. That sounds reassuring for ma

Loven to hear more from you when you get the chance. Need that inspiration.

Thanks baby. Looking at him today and thinking, there can't be anything wrong, there just can't!
Dubh I'll skip on the belly rub if you don't mind. It would still be wobbling hour later!

dubh at your 'special services' if I tell you I've met Noel will you all hate me forever

lux wow well done for making that commitment to your dd. You seem to have gained so much insight into your drinking this last month.

Welcome to flowers godot and joanne

Good but busy day today- amazing what can be fitted in without a hangover. Did my 8 miles this morning (was not fun, but won't bore you with the details), an hour of yoga, and lunch and a long walk with a friend. Crashed and burned big time when I got home and dissolved into a sobbing mess, for absolutely no discernible reason other than maybe tiredness and having had too nice a day I seriously am a small child Very tempted to drink but opted for a bath.

So in bed already and desperately hoping for a decent night. Have to work tomorrow and have a feeling I might be a bit sore!

Sorry not to name check you all but hope everyone's having a good weekend

Elba you've met Noel?????
Get back here and spill!

I am ashamed to say I have fallen off the wagon. I can't pin it on anything. Help! Helpety help! Having spent time sober and finding it a relevation, I am trying it out. Sorry. I also have realised what a crap mum I am with alcohol. I hope I can get out of the woods. At the moment I am most certainly not. All your support is invaluable. I am not in a safe place.

tiger don't panic. You will get there but it takes time. We've all been there. Are you physically safe tonight?

Tiger put the drink down, have a glass of water, clean your teeth and go to bed. Tomorrow's a new day my friend.

Tiger you've got this. A blip, a wobble it's going to happen. Can you get a shower? Go to bed? Make a phone call? Whatever.

Tomorrow is another day, don't panic.

I'll be around a while if you need a ramble Tiger but if you can get off to bed then do that.
Mr Lux poured me a glass of wine, tastes like vinegar, going to bed but I'll have my phone in case you post again babe.
Every day is a brand new chance to change, learn and grow. Don't beat yourself up you are really not alone x

Elba's. Met. Noel.

Have you dowped him????

Nothing to do tonight. I really appreciate your kind words and I am really touched. Thank you. I feel like a fraud. It's not straightforward is it? Is it ok to post here when I go wrong?

LW I use MooGoo udder cream, it's a gentle milk based cream for irritated skin. I have the full range. Body wash, shampoo, deodorant and the marvellously named Moothpaste.

When my skin is sore (large patches which look and feel like it's been scalded) it's so soothing.

I don't put it on my udders.

Tiger you post everything. All the good, all the would, all the sad, all the bad. Whatever it takes to lighten your load a little. Are you okay? Have you gone to bed yet? Are you in a safer place? What's happened today sweetheart?

It's not straightforward. We zig and zag, take three steps forward and then sixtyseven back. We stand still. We go under.

Then we struggle to our feet. We have a good shake. Some of us run like gazelles. I run like Phoebe in Friends some of us float about on the breeze a bit and some of us soar. We all have good and not so good days.

We all do it on the bus. It's a marvellous machine.

Sometimes my darling we just have to be. Tomorrow is another day, xx

Well said Dubh

I second that joanne, dubh says it perfectly.

Morning,
Tiger did you read Dubhs post? She's right you know. I will also add, don't feel ashamed, the fact you are here means you want to stop and it's something to be proud of.

I was thinking late last night (and it feels good to be able to think clearly) that I may have made this look too easy (for me) kind of, joined the thread, stopped drinking, bought a lipstick and a facial oil to distract me and voila, no problem. Well, fact is I've been reading this and other alcohol threads for a long while, sometimes thinking 'well I don't drink as much as her so I must be fine' or 'gosh, that person clearly has real issues, I'm not like that' but over the last year or so has been the realisation that actually I do have an issue and I think the reason I have been able to do DJ apart from the 2 drinks last weekend is because I am ready to address it, I was in the right frame of mind, and hundreds of other people are doing DJ too which makes it feel like the thing to do.

I am certain I will have challenges ahead, could easily slip and need to address lots of things in my life.

*Elba^ You met Noel? Did you speak to him? (oh that voice) I am very envious indeed.

Moogoo makes sense now, sounds great and I must investigate as my family have very sensitive skin (not me I have Rhino hide)

I have realised that over this dry month that my relationship has completely changed with alcohol. Somebody previously posted on here about going out to get hammered to have a good time but that you don't need to get hammered to have a good time.
Last night I went to a small gathering. I was immediately handed a glass of Procecco. It sat by my plate all night untouched. I had no desire at all for it. And guess what, I still had a good time. And no hangover, unlike Himself.

Good morning . May I join please?
Back to drinking about 3/4 bottle of wine most nights .
I stopped drinking in the week before Christmas and once I'd done the first 2 nights was pleasantly surprised how nice it was .
For me it's a habit that as soon as I get in I pour one .... around 6pm .
If I do t do this then it doesn't seem to bother me .Trouble is it's such a damn habit now the hardest thing is just that first couple of evenings .

So .... starting tomorrow no weekeday drinking for me !
Any tips V welcome but I know I've just got to do this .
Actually if anyone else was thinking of doing same be lovely to have a partner ?

mint and on a Saturday night too! Proper job!

Is it sunny where you are today? What are you up to?

It's glorious here, bright blue skies, haven't seen that for a wee while up here.

Having mushrooms on gluten free toast and decaf coffee. I'm sure you aren't supposed to have two/three heaped spoons of it but it's the only way I can get it to taste like coffee.

Listening to David Beckham in Desert Island Discs and have just bought a new Barbour. Hoping that I don't get called in.

Terrorist is snoring after her walk, curled up in a tiny wee ball.

We are having our haggis, neeps and tatties tonight, a bit late but I was on late shift on the night. I normally have a whisky sauce with it but will go for an onion and cream one instead.

Away to peel my tatties, laters taters