The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Swinging Into Sobriety!

[Mouseface]

Hello there,

I'm Mouse, one of the Brave Babes travelling far and wide, stopping off here and there to collect lovely folk, just like you, for a natter all about booze and the blues that come with being a drinker of whatever quantity.

We don't wear or sell judgey pants here, although a G-string or two (Oooh Matron!) has been known to sort the fan belt out on the Bus as we've been driving for such a long time now!!

In short, we've regular posters here, lurkers, those who have managed to keep their drinking to 'social' occasions, some who are really struggling on an hourly basis and some who are completely dry!

Whatever your drinking 'status', you're welcome here in the new bigger Battle Bus, (as requested) whilst we head far and wide, listening to one another, as we face each day that comes our way, whether it be good, bad or downright ugly, we really have seen it all and don't mind one bit. Lurk or chat, it's up to you but one thing you will always find, is a warm welcome, Opal Fruit wrappers (Looks at Ma bosom push up! ) and of course, in complete confidentiality.

So, if you'd like to look what happened on the last thread (a bit like catch up TV) you can look at this link which will take you there - JUST HERE

And, if you would like to see where we started driving this wonderful Bus, over seven years ago, you can have a look at this very honest thread - RIGHT HERE

Hope to see you soon,

Mouse xx

Wow! 9 days is fantastic wemayhaveaproblem. Well done DooWhop! It takes that massive leap of faith to make a break. You did the right thing, Flowerydems not to swap one poison for another, and to find something else to do. Victory!

I think my big problem is with the Wine Witch. Last night, I cracked a bottle of beer, then decided I ought to vote before supper, came home, ate, and only later realilsed there was still beer left and I didn't want it. Had it been wine I would not have felt the same. Although I didn't drink all that much, I am still wondering if it is too much and part of a slippery slope. 3 days AF then not quite a bottle of beer. The future? Who knows?

easy I'm the same. Totally untempted by beer but Friday night here in Asia and SIL is outside drinking chilled wine and I am sorely tempted. 'Happily' I have a work call to do and therefore a 'reason not to drink'. Nearing end of day 2, so I reckon if I make it to dinner without caving I'll be ok. Just can't shake the feeling of missing out and/or the feeling I need wine to relax. Good luck with your AF fridays everyone

Thanks everyone. Results are clear! GP not much cop, I'm already on antidepressants but he suggested starting me on some and insistent I'm not dependent and it's all grief.
Going to see how I go and get in touch with counsellor if I need to.
Local alcohol services are overflowing with hardened alcoholics and drug addicts - my eldest has contacts through her safeguarding role and agrees it's not for me.

DooWhop I'm so pleased for the clear results

Feeling anxiety starting. Daft, but the other day a supervisor asked could I work an early shift Monday, I said I didn't have my rota on me but if I was free I could, if she could please look at the book and if I wasn't in I came in. She went off, checked the book, came over and said I wasn't down for monday so she put me down for the early. I looked at my rota when home and I'm meant to be in monday, on a different shift, one that clashes with the other one. It's probably the main manager not writing things in the book (she has form for it) but I'm down for two shifts, I can't do them both and while I know it's not really my fault I'm a bit nervous of speaking to someone about it (which I have to do) because we've been told over and over not to overlap shifts

Great news on your results, DooWop. Don't be too quick to dismiss local drug and alcohol services though. I was about them too - and found some of the early meetings I went to very "but I'm not THAT bad"-ish, but overall they were amazing and really helped me get where I am now (78 days AF).

In the end I had an inpatient medical detox on their recommendation. Medically, I could have done it at home, but because of my home situation (which might "out" me so I can't go into details) the clinic thought I'd find it less stressful to be in a detox centre. Which was a weird experience, but also amazingly free-ing.

Just my four penn'orth - feel free to ignore! (My backstory briefly is: high-functioning alcoholic - think v good job, nice house, happy children, good(most of the time) marriage... but alcohol slowly erasing me and becoming a bigger and bigger burden in my life... started with social wine drinking... then more wine... then lots of wine at home... then an occasional G&T... then several large G&Ts at home... then worrying about running out... I never got to the drinking in the morning stage ("hardened alcoholic") but I see now that I was very unwell. Anxiety, depression, palpitations, insomnia...)

Will so good to see you back on the bus, but sorry that things are so hard at the moment. How are you doing today?

Flowery sounds like you've been having a tough time too. I can relate to the anxiety about going out so much, not so much now but it was a huge thing in the past. Getting out with the baby for a walk is a great thing to do and I can imagine on a bad day it's not an easy feat.

Made it wasn't your fault to try and be assertive in explaining that- they will understand, especially if the manager has form.

I've been well and truly in the sidecar the last week too. Also not been very well- horrible cold and chest infection, ended up on steroids and antibiotics. I'm not exactly a shining advertisement for marathon running- felt better than expected the first few days but then totally wiped out. Oh, and missing three toenails, with a fourth looking a bit dubious... my feet are rank . Still entered the ballot for next year though!

Was planning a parkrun for tomorrow but chest is still shit so that's out- so of course I'm drinking instead . Feel stupidly guilty for not excercising (aside from a fairly uncomfortable attempt at a run on Monday), yet not really taking steps to look after myself. Feel like I'm just one massive contracdiction- asthmatic smoker (and really should know better on that one) with marathon aspirations and serious issues with alcohol. And food. It's bizarre.

Sort of written off tonight, but from next week I will make a serious effort with the drinking and gradually get back into the excercise. Go on holiday in four weeks and currently look and feel like shit- maybe (hopefully) vanity will motivate me.

I've been to local drug and alcohol services. Although I didn't stop drinking as a result, it did provide a refuge probably 5 years ago. It really is no help to compare yourself to others. I used to think, Oh well, I'm not as bad as X, so I must be ok. There will always be someone closer to death than you are. What I wasn't thinking was that I was the standard for others to measure themselves by and closest to death to them.

Checking in. Lovely weather for a change here in Scotland but will be spending tomorrow decorating mum's sitting room. Hopefully will get out on Sunday to look for sea glass.

elba loving the toenail talk - I can relate. If you are well enough do son running type stretches or yoga to reconnect you to your body - it clearly works for you.

tiger I terrified myself with the drink aware website. Told me I drink more than 96% of women in the country. So relating to the 'its all relative' thing.

elba do some running stretches obviously

Thanks for whoever gave me the tip about squats. Am up to two sets of 10 in a day. Need to build that up.

Morning.
I've fell into two bottles of wine yesterday. I feel like shit. I'm so stressed with the work situation. I knew it wouldn't help but I did it anyway. I'll be hitching a lift with you all in the sidecar for now. I've not gone to the gym for two weeks. I'm eating crap food and the most running I've done is running a bath.
It's a glorious day today in Scotland and we are off to a free music thing .
I feel like I've let myself and the babes down.

mint I joined you in the sidecar yesterday. I just got so fed up with my ex telling me and the children that I'm a disgrace (I'm really not). Put last night behind you and treat yourself very well today.

ma it was me with the squats. Aka TooLateAlready. It's amazing isn't it? I use instructor live. I pay for a subscription but I think there's some free stuff there too. I'm addicted and I work out every day!

I also read that metabolising alcohol taxes the body so much it can't properly metabolise fat. So it's not just the extra calories but added impact on weight gain - for those of us who are looking to drop some weight. I really need to. My next half marathon is New Forest in September. The video of the route looks gorgeous and I want to run the whole thing (I usually walk a bit). I'm also booked into Hampton court and Hastings HMs.

2 AF days this week, which is double last week Just told dp I need to cut down - he's supportive.

DooWhop I meant to say, that is good news on the liver results, but I am sorry that your GP was not much help. What other support can you get. There is something in my mind about garnering any support you can - little bits put together can make a difference.

hi all
have spent the day prepping the walls and ceiling in mums sitting room, ready for papering. god, what a job!
then potted up some seedlings. busy day, lovely and sunny up here

Hi all, Hope you're all okay.
2 days AF this week, working back up to 4.
Off out for dinner which will include drinks.
Birthday weekend so back in the sidecar.
Have a lovely evening

42 enjoy your weekend my lovely!

Was really looking forward to relaxing after work in the sunshine but had gone all grey and horrible up here by the time I did. There was one tiny sunbeam on the grass so I lay on that and warmed my old bones until it disappeared.

Have lost a bit more weight this week, 1.5kg. made have you any tips for a soggy mid section? I'm doing home squats with weights and dry brushing for all I am worth to sort my legs and bum.

Going to post this as typing is 'sticky' and shut laptop down for a mo

It's been a long week. Very busy at work, short staffed and a bit under pressure.

I took a long hard look at myself this week, I feel fat and frumpy. I need a total overhaul. I've lost sight of who I am I think. This not drinking has given me a clarity I wasn't quite ready for. I'm not sure I enjoy seeing the real me. I don't know where I'm going, I don't know how I got here and above all else when the bloody buggery bollocks did I get so old looking?

I have booked in to a very posh hair salon before one of my hospital appointments, hopefully they will look at me and go 'Dubh we can rebuild you. We have the technology'. Or at least make me look a bit edgier.

made did you get your Monday shift sorted out?

elba oh your poor feet! Do toenails recover after such a battering ?

mint hope your music thing was fun, who was on?

ma good effort with the decorating, that can't have been fine if it was cosy down with you. Hopefully you are now sat comfy with your feet up. What seedlings have you potted up?

We've just place an order for a load of nasturtiums which will clart the backie (and are safe if the terrorist decimates them) and some golden begonias for the big pots round the front and hanging from the fence out of the little get's reach

elf I agree, bodies are indeed amazing things. And for the most part, very forgiving...though there is a smidgeon of truth for me in the old adage about getting the face you deserve. Congratulations on 79 days AF, fantastic!

I am still AF. I'm on call tonight but not tomorrow and on earlies again on Monday.

Well one on the weight loss dubh. I lost a whole lousy pound! How are you doing it?
My sis is here now to help with the decorating but we are taking advantage of a lovely morning to go and look for sea glass first.

ma what is sea glass? Pics please

Hey babes, hope all are well. X just checking in

This has been what's going on
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/2922396-Domestic-violence

I'm so scared

Oh wills Are you physically scared, or is it more scared of the future. It is bloody terrifying. I couldn't imagine leaving and altering my kids' future, but I did it. In the end it honestly felt like I had no choice. I had to take a deep breath and go through with it. You do know you can't carry on as you are. Neither can he. And neither can your ds. It really is one step at a time, but you can do it. Be honest, you probably have to? Anyway gather support from everywhere you can. Stay strong today. I will be WiFi less but others will be about. I'll check back later.

I'm not scared of him, it's the future that scares the shit out of me.....I'm not going to be drinking, need to keep a clear head. I'm still emotionally attached to him, it's crazy, I still love him but we cannot be together now. What a mess

CuileanDubh
BMC Bandits, Marmalade, The Silencers and The Kinks Experience. Plus some indie local band and a ""jock rock"" band with bagpipes and a few others. It was a smashing day. Boiling hot too.

This is the weather today complete with blossom. 😁