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

Have I scared everyone off? Any more facepack?

I'm getting there Ma - looking good in yours though.

Welcome Tiger, lots of what you said rings so true to me, well done on your first few sober days, great start!

Spanna and Venus, lovely to see your gorgeous selves on the bus, your wise words always help and comfort me.

Tis and Hope, thinking of you both tonight, you have got this, stick to the plan and it will be good.

Thanks Margie! I have eaten lots of food and my tum is full. I decided to have a glass of that open bottle. Anyway, I got halfway through the glass before deciding that really I didn't want it any more. Bugger. I think it is important to eat! Had I drunk anything before I ate, I would have polished off the bottle. It reminds me of a time about 25 years ago, when for the first time in my life I was kind to myself. I made myself a delicious supper and bought a bottle of wine. I poured myself a glass then barely touched it.

Margie the mantra that helped me the most was 'Watch the film to the end' because for me and many of us, it really isn't a pretty sight I just cannot have that first sip and if I do, I know that all hell will let loose and I just cannot let that happen It is boring, there is a void in the time we've spent drinking, it's now time to find other things to do in it's place

Well the 'sorting' of DD2 (13) room went well NOT why is it when you offer to help they manage to do very little (or nothing at all)

Ma very becoming - looking very facepack'esk

Welcome Tiger we all understand what you're going through, well done for your AF days, keep going babe, it's so worth it

Guggs hello babe great to see you back on the bus x

Day 7 for many of you tomorrow - how good is that!!!!

xpost Tiger, slow fat finger typing Good for you for stopping. I'm not good around booze in the house just want to neck the lot

Well, that was an experience. Against your good advice I got one of those £1 peel off masks and now I smell like a Jolly Rancher Peeling it off was like being back at junior school and peeling Copydex glue off!

Excellent antidote to the desire for wine though. You can't drink wine through a pink haze!

Well,,I'm thoroughly sulky that no-one else posted a facepack photo! I feel like a right fit. But a sober one. Day 6 done and dusted.

TIT!

ma I have nothing to put on my face - would porridge work?

And of course, that photo is NOT me - that would be some kind of miraculous treatment...

There will be a photo Ma just need to get a child to show me how to post
it.

Sailed through this evening, heading to my lovely clean bed soon. Sweet dreams all

Well done ma

Facepacks bring me out in spots I'm afraid. But I do regularly use a boots facial called glycolic peel which is really good and I'd recommend it.

Sorry Ma, sales started here today so I got waylaid looking at Mango and Zara online and now it's late and I'm off to my bed.

Night babes.

ma sorry quine held up at work.

In the immortal words of a right toonser - here's me

It's bloody hard doing a face mask with a hungry lab floating about. I was a walking Scooby snack.

Sorry I was late, it's still technically Friday night for me. 😊 Need to catch up, back in a mo.

Did I see the lovely venus? A bloody big bwah goes out to you through the ether! And a big bosie.

venus love the halt technique. Will definitely try to think very hard about what I really need when I'm having a wobble.

guggs it means black pup. Scooby Dubh.

I got through day 6. Had a phone call first thing asking if I could go in for a late shift instead. Which was a bit of a shame, I woke up this morning quite chipper and whilst not quite boingy, I was less mardy.

I had chips for lunch. I did have a tuna sandwich planned but fell for the chippy cheesy goodness.

ma if you're the right tit, I must be the left one. My skin feels so soft but that is probably due to the exfoliating properties of a Labrador tongue rather than my rustic mask. joey a glycolic peel you say? Is it very strong? Will it render me lovely? with the skin of a 20 year old

Will check back in the morning, a little tired but off tomorrow. Nighty night xx

Can I join, trying to drink less to get anxiety in order. Not a massive drinker quantity wise but do use it as a crutch

Dh is away and last night really fancied wine so went and got a bottle of wine and my 2 glasses turned into 2/3 bottle. I am now awake and pissed of. My heart rate is racing again and I am so disappointed in myself.

I would like to be an occasional drinker as really enjoy a glass of fizz

My dad was an alcoholic and that is always at the back of my mind when I need a drink. Managed 5 days this time

I should have found you before I went to the shop last night.

I am so cross with myself right now

love 5 days is good. Just start again tonight, make it day 1 or day 6. Up to you. The cycle of wanting to drink followed by guilt when I've had a drink is very familiar.

dubh ooh I'm glad it asked now! Love learning new words.

I had a big fat take out last night and stuffed prawn crackers into my gob. It was bloody marvellous. Woke up briefly at 2 with the guilt and fear but then remembered that I'd stayed off the booze. Felt good.

It kills me to admit this but I'm so much calmer and able to deal with my horrible children without the booze. I've got loads more done and been quite nice to dh. I think I will be right back on the booze in Feb but I'm going to at least acknowledge that I'm much,much better off without it.sigh.

Guggs, I'm with you! I am calmer, more patient, nicer to all off the booze yet I can't wait for February to start so I can get right back on it. WTF???

Welcome Lorelai.

dubh that is a really scary picture. It looks like ectoplasm. Were you communing with the other side?

Morning all,
Big help to Lorelai
I just woke up! My longest, most refreshing sleep in years and years..no eye opener.

Anyone else's sleep beginning to improve?

An eye opener!

Hi lux. My sleep is way better now that I am past the first few nights. Day 7 today...Bloody amazing!
Keep at it all you driers and tryers.

Thank you all.

Day 1 today.

Just need to get past the guilt about drinking- this is why I shouldn't drink. Nothing happened last night, a few drinks then bed not drunk at all but it messes with my head so much I feel anxious and cross. Somehow need to remember it is not worth this feeling.

Morning everyone, well done all on Friday night sober and hello to all new posters.
Sorry I didn't do the face pack yesterday, had a pretty rubbish day really and am now starting to wonder if my drinking is really a cover to how unhappy I am at times. Feel so taken for granted a lot of the time, guess most parents feel like that but I'm utterly sick of it. I don't seem to be on anyone's radar.
Ended up going to bed at 8.30 as I was just weary. Unfortunately got no boing at all, just feel fed up and like I could greet. But I didn't drink, even though I got a bottle of wine from an old colleague yesterday. It's still in my car, intend to give it to my Mam later. Or may drink it tonight, will have to see how today goes.
Sorry for being such a misery, I'm generally not.
I'm so happy some of you are feeling the benefits of this now
Will catch up again later.