Brave Babes - reconvene here!!!

[dementedma]

Hi all
We seem to have finished the last thread but no-one has done a new one. Don't get lost! Gather here until we can sort it out.

ma wishing you a better morning. How's your knee? They were not gentlemen. You can take comfort in that you styled it out in the time honoured fashion. Wee laugh - tick. Struggle to feet - tick. Say you're fine - tick.

That's my girl. You have more than your fair share of worries, but you still get out there and do your very best for those lads despite the constant pressure of funding issues hanging over you.

Get into your work and hold your head up and show them all. The Unsinkable ma Thistleheid. xx

Cross post typing too slow on the batphone ma

Take it easy today, grab a wee nap where you can and reboot xx

I'm sorry you fell over ma I'd have cried as well.
I'll tell you what though, you fell over and you got up and came away. Dignity only slightly and temporarily dented.
Those who looked on (and laughed?! WTF) or looked away should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. They know they behaved badly, in their craven little heads.
Bah to them. Power to you.
And I hope yer knee's okay

Hope your knee is better soon Ma rest up and it'll all be forgotten by Monday.

Morning all, nothing to report from me, need a coffee badly. Will catch up properly later

dubh your littlelab memories tell of a kindred spirit.
I had a little weep of sadness and of joy when I read your post.
And you give so much to your doggies. Lucky them.

Oh ma that looks sore, least you managed to get a tinkly laugh out. I'd have cried aswell.

I've managed to cock up last night after a shit day with the kids so feel awful today and don't remember a thing from glass 4 last night, but I'm pretty sure I was being super romantic with dh and putting the moves on him. Don't want to ask him what happened with that one or he'll know about the memory problems with wine

Got a night out tonight cause I'm desperate to get out the house. But if I'm drinking it'll be something fizzy cause I swear I'm drinking wine like water these days, why isn't there something that tastes like wine but doesn't ruin my life??

You guys rock.
Flower and that is the million dollar question!!!

The nearest I can get to the real thing is AF Koppaberg. It's weird drinking it and not getting drunk. I had a lovely non alcholic Chardonnay at a wedding last Summer. If only I could remember the name!

I don't really like the taste of alcohol - any of it - I'm just addicted to the effect. Really bored of waking up feeling rubbish. My body is bloated beyond recognition. Can't believe I've managed to hold everything together all these years despite being a secret raging alcoholic. Blimey. I think my life would be so so so much easier without it. Getting impatient for my detox now. Under no illusions that it's the recovery work AFTER detox that is the hard bit... but

DH suggested I get a big glass jar to put the money I would have spent on alcohol in. I think it's a great idea - although I think he will be a bit to see the amount.

flowerdems I get memory loss/blackouts too. When I started getting them pretty much every time I drink I realised it was time to stop. It's so scary, waking up knowing part of the previous night is a blank. Horrible.

Got a busy day today. So why oh why do I think the enjoyment of my day will be enhanced by (a) stinking of booze and (b) having a pounding headache and nausea. Anyone? Anyone? Nope. Me either.

Oh and just a quick one: I always told myself it "wasn't that bad..." A glass of wine, a large glass, half a bottle, a whole bottle, a second bottle... or a gin or three... in a huge tumbler.

When I fessed up one of the first things the alcohol service did was count up my units. c. 25 a day.

I work full time. I've never missed a day due to drink. I am a very senior professional woman, well-respected in my industry. My children are deeply loved and well looked after. I keep the house nice and cook lovely meals. I don't drink in the day - ever. I start as soon as my kids are in bed - and finish when I pass out.

Repeat ad infinitum.

Basically I do it because I am scared of feeling anything... but that's for another day.

There was an article last week in the paper (think it was the fail - sorry) abut very low alcohol wines that do taste nice. I can't remember the names apart from an M&S one called froglet or something. I guess the article would be somewhere online, they were all under 9% so may help a little for the times when we feel we must drink at say, a dinner party or barbecue.

Flowery try not to think 'cock-up' it's more a hiccup, enjoy your night out, I'm sure it's much needed.
I never, ever thought I would be able to pack wine in, it seemed impossible but here I am on day 34, I think as I've said before, being in the right frame of mind is half the battle. Now, watching himself slide into drunkenness makes me all the more determined and my daughter says I seem much happier. I'm also quite aware that if I have a couple of glasses I will slide right back to how it used to be.
I'm using the money not spent as a motivator (I have a treat purchase planned today that would have been out of the question 5 weeks ago) and also my improved skin, eyes and slightly flatter stomach (still Michelin man though)

I'm still bearing in mind the type of woman I want to be, she keeps changing between Emma Thompson, Jennifer Lopez, a Madonna type disciplined soul, and 'sorted' Amanda down the road - got to have (blonde) ambition!

Enough of my witterings and ramblings and nonsense. Have a great day and I'll be back with my AF Mojito tonight!

Oh and Ma do you remember that famous time that Naomi Campbell tripped on the catwalk & landed on her bum? In front of a large audience and TV cameras - she just laughed it off like a boss - be the boss

flowery I've asked the same.
I've done the same as you last night so many times, including (for shame) not asking H about what happened next. It's one of the things which brought me to post.
I think elf is right about being addicted to the effect.
Try not to beat yourself up, just defo try not to have wine tonight and then tomorrow is another day.
I do like wine, but in truth it's the buzz then the numbing I want/need.
Elf we sound similar though my escalated drinking is more recent and not as many units, but it was creeping up, til I found this bus.
You sound full of insight and ready for positive change. Cheers

Also elf I think I have to change cos I don't drink often (I do sometimes and talk about it) in front of DC, but when they're a bit older and their bedtime is later, I don't want to start doing so.

Thanks for all the kind words ladies.

I know I'm slipping cause I do drink in front of dc but coming from a French family I've been drinking wine since the tender age of 5/6 (becoming less watered down every year) but I'm blacking out way too much.

I know the whole romance thing with dh needs the booze at the moment for me cause I feel hideous after the pregnancy and section, no idea how he can find all the flab attractive at all.

Lux how are you making your af mojito? What drinks have you been drinking in the evenings to avoid wine? I'm looking for ideas what I can get in this weekend to avoid weekday drinking next week

Good morning ladies.

ma so sorry to hear about your fall. It's horrible when you feel yourself going and know in that split second that you can't stop.I've taken many a tumble over the years (mostly when pissed), but it still hurts not only physically but the pride gets a bashing too. Can't believe no one came over to help you..bunch of bastards. Hope your knee is on the mend x

I'm currently trying to ween myself off Sertraline (AD's), so trying to remember that alcohol only makes me feel worse so pointless trying to un-medicate myself only to ruin it all with too much booze..hoping that will keep my future drinking in check as I really crash and burn after a blow out.

Just been to reading morning at my son's school. Some days I can manage to chit-chat with the other mums (most are lovely), but other days I really struggle and just want to run away. Turns out a bunch of them are going for coffee this morning, but I declined as cannot face a. DD (3) melting down and being a grumpy git whilst trying to chat and b. the whole effort of being sociable this morning when I don't feel that confident in myself.

Meh..sorry for the self indulgence. Part of me would love to have a nice bottle of wine to look forward to this evening as it's 'a Friday not in January', but am going to stay off it till tomorrow night when I am going out and will have my first proper drink in 35 days. Hoping I don't pay for it on Sunday!

Elf I'm the same in in the midst of cleaning my already tidy flat, the kids are dressed and well looked after and I think cause I hold it all together that it's ok. No one would ever think I have problems with booze either.

There's a little boy at my eldests p1 class who's mum is unable to ever pick him up on time as she's so wasted and he stands there waiting every day... I make myself think that cause I'm there for ds that I'm ok but cracking open a bottle during dinner means I'm probably not doesn't it

Flowerey I'm going to try a pre-mixed Mojito and will report back .I have been drinking cranberry juice and soda from a wine glass, it's dry and hits the spot. The wine glass is important to me too.
I don't have a sweet tooth so things like Appletiser don't appeal to me.
I bought some nice fresh coffee which feels treaty and 'grown up'
(I'm nearly 50 but, you know)

I have made social plans for the weekend, this is going to be a very big test, seeing my partner in crime. I can't stay in and avoid people forever.

I hear you on the black outs and not remembering having a shag. I've never let on either.
I've also not remembered going clubbing or even eating dinner.

So. The office are still darn sarf. So far today I have got into a bidding war on Ebay, booked my gig tickets and had a general mooch around town. Roll on 5pm!

mint you lucky article! Now that sounds like my kinda day!

ma how are you quine? Ye had a better day?

42 thank you, but I failed one boy, he was ill, and lashed out. The vet said he had something going on with his brain, it made him very unpredictable. One day he forgot himself completely, (thankfully it was with me) I made a very hard decision to give him peace from the pain and torment he was in. It haunts me that love and routine wasn't enough.

I'm done for the weekend, hectic today but a good one all the same. On way home to unleash hell. Not really, she'll be on a lead but 15 mins just isn't enough and there is always potential for arseitude. She is allowed off lead for 5 mins next week. Whoohoo! Which is fine but I bet the little bugger refuses to be caught.

I will put her out hungry and take cheese and sausage. I've caught Shetlands. How hard can it be....

Catch up with you all in a bit, sorry this is a swift one xx

Hey, can we have some luxury this evening? Looking at you, lady Lux to show the way? I am still bored, been working all day, need to go pick the kids up in a bit but then am home tonight without DH and fancy being perked up. I can polish my various nip/fab jars and engage in some sort of Snape potions lesson - but I'd love some company on here. What shall we all do?

Ma how are you today? And sweet is all well with you, lovely?

Hey Smallfox I am home childfree tonight, unfortunately Mr Lux is in so I will have to distract myself - I'm in for company. he has done something so utterly foolish today I'm finding it hard not to roll my eyes and hiss 'thicko' in a very mature way. I'm thinking finger and toenails tonight, I have a gorgeous rose gold colour, plus of course a layer of my beloved Vit e oil.
I'm keen for more book recommendations, if anyone has more ideas.

Ma hope that knee is better, remember what I say about Naomi Campbell's trip - like a boss!
I am thirsty, really thirsty, so I shall drink a pint of water and try to ignore the cold beers in the fridge, although after my less than bright OH fucked up nobody could blame me for diving into one.

I wonder if our DHs are related, Lux. Mine has done some spectacular stuff today too. But he is trying hard (he says).

Isn't it lovely to be able to pick up a book and remember what happened when you read it the night before, rather than having no clue you've ever seen it before?! I am definitely reading more mindfully at the moment. IThings I have particularly enjoyed this last month are The Trouble with Goats and Sheep (I was late to the party on this one but really enjoyed it), Sisters One, Two, Three, This must be the place (love Maggie O'Farrell) and Paradise Lodge by Nina Stibbe. But best of all I have been re-reading Joan Aiken and remembering how much utter joy she gave me as a child. Wonderful author. Also randomly rediscovering Barbara Pym. What have you been reading, Lux?

Right, best get the kids. I've picked out a nice midnight blue nail varnish so will join you for distraction later.

Oh yes, being able to concentrate on a book, or a film or a TV programme and be completely absorbed. I've been re reading H.E.Bates Larkin chronicles, so gentle and funny. I've also been dipping out of The Victoria letter (Queen Vic).

Midnight blue sounds funky, see you later for that.

I will be here, the man of the house is driving me a bit mad.