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

dubh normal / dry skin!

Love the sound of this pudding mask. I don't have any honey or dairy yoghurt though - maybe soy yoghurt and agave??!

I might pop into Superdrug for one of those single use ones. I've wondered about getting one a few times and then not done it.

Ooh margie that sounds challenging!! I have no idea. I'd be three sheets to the wind before pudding time with that timetable usually.

Actually here's an idea: you have to stay sober in order to report back to us how you did it so that we can do it too when needed! Or in possibly more helpful suggestions.... schedule a walk after lunch? Good luck!

Margie can you use the old antibiotics/can't drink trick?
Or mix apple juice with fizzy water to look like Cava? It will taste vile though...

I could go a bowl of cranachan.

I remember buying the face pack sachets when I was a teen. They sucked my face dry. Back then I never thought I'd end up with dry skin.

I am fair crabbit as well ma, it's nae like me. I am roaring away like a Tyrannosaurus Rex on the inside. I'm scunnered with everything.

I feel like I'm an egg in a microwave. A few seconds from going boom.

Ach, away to bed dubh. There is nothing else for it when the cloud of crabbitness descends.
Good night all.
Day 6 tomorrow....And Facepack Friday.

mips soy yogurt and agave would be most excellent for your wee fizzer!

Last pee in a bit, then it's off to bed with Alan. Tomorrow is another day.

Day 6! Wow.

margie sounds hard! My only suggestion would be to tell as many people as possible, as early as possible, that your doing DJ. Not to make a big deal of it, but just to kind of add a bit of accountability and reduce the risk of people saying 'oh go on'. This was my downfall on New Year's Day I think- it took one person to push it a little bit, and sort a lift home for me...drink in my hand within 20 mins, despite best intentions.

Day 4 is done. Have done yoga, had a bath, have channomile tea and a hot water bottle...surely I will sleep??!!

Hope everyone's ok, well done whatever day your on.

You lot are funny and are cheering me up.the face pack does indeed sound delicious, I might juice that in the morning when I'm feeling all virtuous.

margie that sounds tough. Do you have a damage limitation plan just in case? I'm sure you have more resolve than me though, just the phrase Spain and cava was enough. Sigh.

I had no idea that seals could be aggressive ( am dim and a townie) suppose they have to defend themselves. Am ashamed to admit that I thought they were cute and cuddly. I saw a seal swimming in the sea near to the Norfolk coat and it was honestly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Winter coast, bright sun, dark seal. Lovely.

ma oh yes, there were several reasons why I dropped off the bus. One of which is that the 'early menopause' I seemed to be going through, wasn't. It was a proper, teenage style unplanned pregnancy. While dd is very welcome and very beautiful, I do NOT recommend a baby when you are over 45.

See why I drink? The first babe who mentions that I will be properly menopausal just as dd hits her teens, is going to have opal fruits thrown at her.

elba ignore me bitching. I am sweating the small stuff! Can you do yoga if you're a bit heavier? I used to do Callanetics many moons ago, I used to be very bendy. Now I make an old person noise putting on my knickers.

Ha! Just typed that grin thing and typed girn by mistake.

Well done that autocorrect! I would like a humphy face emoticon. The face just isn't humphy enough [girn]

Margie that will be tough indeed.

Made it through the wobble and am in bed now, face slick with anti aging oil and hands covered in cream. Hope to keep these habits up.

We can do Friday night, yes we can. With juice and chocolate, and face packs.
Cranberry juice for me I think with a slice of orange.

Good rest everyone. Well done on your days so far.

Margie I second telling everyone you are doing DJ. If need be fib and say you are doing it for a charity. You can always pop a few bob in a pot when you next see one and then it won't be a lie.

I have no doubt my mam cursed the lego inventors when I was wee. I but it for my nephew. I must check my brother's feet next time he comes over

guggs! A baby. Age one? I flaming well bow to you, I can barely get myself organised of a morning. See above re the buying of lego for small people.

Bugger! Bloody phone just died and I'd written an enormous long message.

Thanks Mip (or is it Laura?), that's a great idea, I'm going to use all of you for inspiration and sneak off to write crazed posts to you when it all gets too much. Brace yourselves.

The thing is Ma, they all know I'm doing DJ so any pressure will be gentle. My main problem is me - usually with that amount of booze around I'd dive straight in and be trolleyed by cake time. Plus there are so many reasons for celebration tomorrow and in my head celebration and getting shitfaced go hand in hand.

Dubh, sorry to hear you've got the rage, it probably won't help but your posts make my day (even the grumpy ones ) - you are such a brilliant writer with such an original voice, I think everything you write is just fab.

And Elba, hello my love, meant to say that I fully understand your frustration at not being able to run, I'd be exactly the same, I've got everything crossed for you that you'll be lacing those trainers up again v soon.

Night night lovely babes, thanks for being there, see you tomorrow with hopefully enough resolve to get through a sober Friday.

Argh, cross posted with everyone! Thanks Guggs and Lux for the support and suggestions!

Good luck for the dreaded Friday night babes...just think if you get through it, you will be on day 7 which is a whole week af!

Won't be back until late- don't have the Friday temptation so much as the 'I deserve it after a long day at work one'. And no parkrun tomorrow which was my main motivation.

Have a good day all

Feeling positive this morning - I had to be up silly early to travel for work. There are 3 tubes I can get to get my train, usually I'd be feeling sick on the third and today I'm alright and on the first of them. So i will have time to get a coffee and make my way to the train rather than sprinting for it thinking FML.

Looking forward to facepack Friday now!

Morning ladies, wondering if I can hop on ?
First found you wonderful ladies in 2012 after a few disastrous episodes with booze, mainly wine which I seemed to be getting a little addicted too. I ended up seeing my GP and saw a counsellor but it was you ladies and the lovely Mouse who really got me to revaluate my unhealthy relationship with booze.
I was "ohClutterGotMe" back then.

I don't really drink that much now but there have been a couple of spectacular falls off the wagon, my brother in laws wedding last October sticks out where I'm still the talk of the family ....the shame !!

I would love to kick my habit altogether but not sure if this is achievable or possible. I come from Scots/Irish stock and everything revolves around alcohol.
I was reading an interesting thread yesterday where people were talking about peer pressure to drink and those not from Britain said this is definitely a very British thing and where they came from (Canada/Middle East/European Countries/USA) You just wouldn't get this pressure or obsession around needing alcohol to lubricate every social function. I wish our country wasn't so Alcohol obsessed.

Anyway I don't always know if this is the right place for me as I can go months without drinking then fall off spectacularly, but not really sure how to combat the cravings when at a social event. I'm ok if no ones drinking but as soon as I'm somewhere there is a bar all I can think about is having a drink.
This is a New Year, New Me and I really want to get fit and cut out the booze.
I stopped drinking with the help of the BB from 2012 through to 2014 (was also pregnant and Breastfeeding) then stopped again for 6 months in 2015 which was amazing, really want to get there again.

Morning all,
Much better sleep last night, dropped off ok and woke refreshed.

Facepack Friday is here!

Hi Brave Babes, can I hail the bus?

I live in Australia and I have to laugh at all the talk of rain and sleet keeping everyone inside. We're having a heat wave - walk outside and it's like entering an oven. 6pm and it's still 39 degrees. Cold beer is calling my name like you wouldn't believe.

Welcome 78 & Cricket (are those the right nicknames?)!

78, does that refer to the year you were born? If so, we're the same age! Sounds like you've been doing really well, plus you know what your trigger is so you need a contingency plan for when you're in a social situation and temptation is calling. I often try to plan ahead when I know there will be a big boozy occasion - play the film to the end, as they say.

Cricket, beer and sunshine - the perfect couple! In my head anyway. Are there any decent non-alcoholic beers in Aus? Can you tell us some more about you? Do you want to give up completely or moderate?

Just checking in on everyone - how did you all sleep? My dreams have gone bonkers, predictably enough. I also look even worse than I did this time last week (if that's possible) but am assuming/praying that's down to the toxins being banished.

I'll be there in spirit for face pack Friday - I'm (gulp) - going out. I'll drive - just don't want to have to get stuck in tiring conversations about alcohol. Shouldn't have to explain myself to anyone tonight - but thinking about alcohol literally all day is quite exhausting enough without having to discuss the subject further with others.

Though how I dare complain about tiredness - Guggs, wow! Respect - and how wonderful, amazing and exhausting! Hope you're ok today.

Love to all.

Hi Margie, yep a 78 chick, years are flying by !
I like the "playing it to the end" analogy. We have a big Irish 🍀 Wedding in October and a part of me just doesn't want to go as I can't trust myself at something like a big, all day wedding but know OTOH that I can't not go so in a dilemma with this one.
I said to my sis in law at New Year that I was so drunk at her wedding and she said "yes, there's lots of photos " argh not what you to hear 😩

Checking in day 6

Hello to 78 and cricket;

How did you sleep tis?

Slept really well lux it makes such a difference
Welcome to 78 and cricket also........pouring rain here 😥