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

Hi all, and welcome to ocelot
mouse I'm not remotely surprised you have a case against that guy. It always seemed cut and dried to me. I hope he gets a massive jail sentence
mint good luck with the interview.
I'm ok. Still very tired and no idea what the future holds job wise.

Hi all babes
Hope Friday evening's okay for all.
I've been on hols for a week in Wales just me and DSs it's been hard work as they're close in age and bonkers but it's been lovely to get away.
Have had 3 bottles wine and one of cava over the week. Wish I could've skipped the cava at least!!
But it could've been worse I suppose.
Back to reality tomorrow. Ah well.
AF tonight.
Sending strength to all

Hello all can I jump in? On the other side of the world but attempting my first night without without alcohol in well god alone knows how long! Drinking at least a bottle of wine a night loads more if out or with friends. Went to GP today and got started on anti depressants. Told my best mates what's going on. Now just need to well try and not drink! Ironically I work in drug & alcohol rehab! Haha so at least I know how it goes from here! Christ it's hard isn't it

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

I'm stuck in bed today with a MASSIVE fibromyalgia attack. I'm in tears typing this and can barely see so please forgive any mistakes.

Yesterday I went to hospital about my breathing and sleeping issues, basically I snore like a warthog and it resonates through the entire house, or so I have been told!

The consultant that I saw told me that my lungs are inflamed and that one of my lungs is worse than the other.... He gave me a full MOT, checking everything, but I feel dreadfully poorly today and I'm struggling to breathe........

I'm shaking and worried that I'm going to end up in our shitty hospital!!

Anyway, I hope that you're all okay and managing not to give yourselves too hard a time for being human and reacting to the world around you.....

Mouse xxx

Welcome attila. It is bloody difficult so well done for facing up to the problem.
mouse my mother has fibromyalgia and it really sucks. Poor you

Hello all. Dp has said we need to reign in our drinking in the week. I don't need him to stop me and I am completely responsible for my own drinking, but I'm over the moon about this.

ma you poor thing. Sounds terrible

Morning all

just seen we're on page 2 - can't have that!!!!!!

Happy Sunday to all I hope it's turning into a good day so far?

Ma I'm sorry to hear about the interview, keep your feelers out, something will come along. Have you ever thought about looking into getting a Government grant (not sure how it works in Scotland) or grant from your local council, benevolent fund, or grant directly from the armed forces to set up, I don't know, a drop-in advice centre for your veterans, or an introduction back into the workplace, or accessing volunteering opportunities/benefits available etc. or maybe a housing project?

Lux I hope you're feeling better and that your move has/is going smoothly. Sending love x

Mouse I''m so sorry that you're going through all of this. please look after yourself x

Atilla welcome to the bus, you'll get plenty of support and advice on here with NO Judgement - we're all been there on some level and we 'get it' keep posing

Still that is excellent news about your DP wanting to kerb the drinking, it will make it so much easier for you. Keep going one day at a time.

Margie check in please - how's it going honey? Hope you, DH and your boys are all good. Mwah and hugs xxx

Beaches flower are you ok? how's it all going?

Hope I was thinking about you the other day - how's everything? you still doing the athletic/gym chauffeuring for you DC - I feel like I spend most of my evenings driving to and fro from gymnastics!!!!! Sending you hugs x

Mint congrats on the interview and heaps of luck - love the photo of the elderflowers cordial in the making. Your photos make me smile, thank you

42 well done on cutting down - every little helps and reflecting each week on consumption is always good to do. Keep going one day at a time

Elf I love your posts - you are doing so so well - amazing - I look at it as if we're onions - before AF we are pickled onions with all the emotions under our layers and as we begin our AF journey (because it really is a journey - fucking scarey fair ride sometimes!) we begin to peel each layer bit by bit. It can be an emotional roller coaster, but it is ok to feel like this - these are our true feelings (very scarey at times) Keep going my lovely x

Dub sending loads of hugs, hope all ok x

Lala congratulations babe you sound like a totally different person - you are amazing, well done xxx

Hi Guggs. Joey, Venus, Nuff, Fox, April , Made, Rural, Elba, and every one of you Brave Babes

I'm sorry not to name call everyone - I'm a bit scared to lose this mammoth post!!!!

All ok here, still AF, some figures for you AF for 803 days today not drunk 66.5 cases of wine - I'm not trying to sound smug I just want you all to know that it is possible. Very occasionally I get a craving for fizz or a cold dry white wine, I distract myself and it does go away.
I am a much better person without booze as my best mate!

Remember - don't worry about the sweet stuff you eat instead of wine, take one day at a time, it's not failure, it's a blip, brush yourself down and start again. Booze will not solve your problems, it doesn't help you think clearly, it masks all the things that we don't want to face up to - they will all still be there in the morning and again, and again........

Take care all and above all be kind to yourself x

Fab post spanna thank you.
Hope yours is a lovely Sunday

Hi all, checking in briefly from sunny Italy.

Friend and I discovered limoncello last night- you can probably imagine how that turned out. Totally wasted day today as a result, still feeling totally (deservedly) awful. On the plus side, although I've been drinking each day, it has been relatively moderate (for me at least). We are on an activity type holiday, and it just doesn't mix with hangovers. So apart from today I've managed to be up and relatively hangover free first thing in the morning. Which is a huge difference to previous holidays.

Makes me think about how many days I've wasted feeling like I do today. It's quite sad really; at least today was the result of a fun night out rather than a solitary binge sat on my own.

Anyway going to stop rambling and (hopefully) post this- wifi a bit temperamental so fingers crossed!

And to make you all (sorry) this is 'my' current beach

Elba I hate you!!!!! Not really!
spanna how do you remember everyone? I am already working with various veterans charities and have set up a back to work initiative but I cant get it funded. Its very complicated and don't want to go into it in too much detail or will out myself. I still feel dreadful and could do with more time off work but have a Veterans workshop on Tuesday that Im not going to cancel.

So over the weekend I discovered just how bloody amazing tomato juice is, and the last few nights I have been having a couple instead of wine! Through choice, I actually wanted the tomato juice more than wine! (And no I didn't put any vodka in it lol)

Hello my lovelies and hello and big welcome to new posters.
Just a quickie as limited Internet.

If any strugglers need a grown up soft drink the Fentimans Rose Lemonade is divine. Nicer than champagne I do declare!

Can't wait to catch up properly, I miss the thread!

Lots of love to all.

Hi and apologies for going a bit quiet. Here have these by way of apology [throws bag of opal fruits on board and watches subsequent scrum]
Hi and welcome ocelot The earlier you ‘catch’ it, the better for you.
Goodness, mouse you’ve been such a lot, you poor thing so sorry to hear you felt so unwell yesterday. Are you feeling a little better today?
Mint fab fab fab news on the interview, what job is it for? my foot is getting there, still tires though so having to take it easy in the gym but I’m going to make the effort to keep going next week.
Elf well done
42 glad you had a nice time
Hi Attila how are things going with you?
Great to hear from you spanna and just amazed at your progress
Elba you lucky thing, much nicer whether than here! Glad you’re enjoying your holiday, enjoy the rest of your time out there
Stressed good find!

Now for me If I was a horse they’d shoot me – earache, headache, achy limbs, dry mouth and I’m 1.5lb heavier than I was last week [sigh]. Ringing the doctors re the earache in morning and taking paracetamol for the fluey symptoms. And gym and healthy food to combat the weight gain. Work is going well, have tomorrow off but after that am working 9 days in a row my own fault though, overtime. Am good really, have a nice quiet evening of watching telly tonight (Birds of a Feather, very old but quite funny too) and may have soak in bath (and shower tomorrow). Have applied for refuge job, hope that I do get it Customers have mainly been ok today, there were one or two I could have hit with a large object but I got to cuddle a 6 month old while her mum was unloading her mammoth, two trollies as she wanted a cwtch Also felt like an ‘old hand’ in work when I got asked to show another girl the ropes on the tills

Hi babes, I come bearing opal fruits and a massive apology for not keeping up.

Truth is I've been too embarrassed to post cause I've not been entirely great with not drinking of late but we got a wee fur baby and on top of the actual baby and two boys I've been run off my feet.

Hope everyone's well, old faces lux, ma, mouse, dubh I hope you guys are fine and hey to all the new people who I've missed. I'll start keeping up again, just been in my head under the pillow as soon as I had a free moment stage xx

Sorry here's furbaby for all to see

Flowery fur baby is gorgeous 😊 how old is it? Is it a boy or girl? Any names yet (althougg furbaby has a good ring to it)

She's just gone 12 weeks and her name's Lexy. Posted on the pet forum here and they said not to get from a breeder but I had to save her look at that face like. Can't wait for walking, jabs on Tuesday and then we can finally get out next week

spanna always uplifting to see you post and like ma I can't fathom how you remember everyone . I am fine, situated in th sidecar but fine. Xx

Hello babes! God it's been awhile since I posted. I'm sure most won't even know my name!

I'm well and truly in the alcohol abyss. There's no point me being on the bus. I have given in and let the alcohol take over. I can't see a way out, I'm just going with it now. I love my dc but if exdp meets someone else I hope they'll be a good step parent to them. My dc deserve a good Mam.

Love to you all 💜

Thanks my lovelies.Job is for a trainee dental nurse, something I did whilst Vet Nursing so transferrable skills. Although I suspect they will actually employ a young glamorous 19 year old instead of an old un like me.Had a terrible weekend. Will update later when I get my head round it all.

Flowerydems
Lexy is gorgeous! I'm jealous.

Pedro keep posting. The bus is for people who have problems with alcohol so you are in the right place! We have all been/are where you are. How can we help?

Sorry to hear that mint and pedro please keep posting.
We are all either in the same situation (to varying degrees) or have been.
You can drink and also be on the bus, I do.
ma are you going to work? Can you take hints down a notch if so? Look after yourself.
I had wine Sat and Sun, a bottle each night.
I have gained weight again.
AF today.
Hope Monday is good for all babes.

So, I'm not entitled to sign on as I haven't paid enough NI contributions in last two years.
DP hasn't worked for months either so we are screwed.
Lucky the rent is paid for the next month.
My Doctor has given me more AD and to my humiliation has said I am eligible for a food bank voucher as I can't get any benefits.
If I had any alcohol I'd drown myself in it.
Job interview tomorrow morning btw.
On a good note, it's not raining and my friend has just bought me a cake.

Sorry for shitty post.

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

I'm posting from my bed as I'm in so much pain, I spent most of the night crying whilst trying not to wake Nemo, he's very clingy when I'm ill. God love him.

Mint - get yourself to CAB ASAP sweetie. Make a list of what comes in and what goes out..... I'm guessing not much comes in?

Do you qualify for any other benefits like housing? Council Tax etc? You could look on the DWP website and see what help you might be able to claim.

If you're on ADs you might be able to claim incapacity benefit (if it's still called that) and say that you are unable to work through your crippling depression? Just a thought?

I really hope that the interview goes well for you tomorrow and that the cake cheers you up

SPANNA!!! - HELLO LOVELY!! How fab to see you again....... you are awesome at uplifting the Babes. Massive hugs to you xxx

Pedro - like Ma said, keep posting. You don't have to tell us anything about yourself or your drinking, just chat? We won't bite, well, unless you ask very nicely!

Ma - Jeez girl, you've been through the mill of late!! It's a good job you're still posting otherwise you'd go batshit crazy!! I'm sending all the spare positive vibes I have your way, in the hope that Karma stops being a bitch to our Babe! xxx

Hey 42 - Fibro fog has got me so forgive me but hello [waves] I'm not sure we've chatted much before? Nice to 'meet' you

Beaches - hello lovely, been a while since I've said hi to anyone if everyone........ How's things with you?

Elba - I love your beach photo, it reminds me of Anglesey so much, which is one of my favourite places.

venus - thank you for your kind words, as always xxx

Made - hey, I'm not sure I've been polite enough to have a chat with you yet, it's fab that the Bus is so full!

Flowery - I LOVE your little furbaby and Lexy is a great name. It really suits her I hope you enjoy your walks when you get going, especially as the better weather is on it's way

ocelot, Elf, Lux, Stressed, Atilla, Guggs, Fox, Joey, Margie, Obrigada, Lala, Dub, Nuff and Rural, plus any other Babes I've missed, it's great to be posting again. I had a breakdown in October but I'm getting the best help and staying AF as Fibro and alcohol don't seem to want to be friends, you know? Bit of a wake up call but a very much needed one.

Thank God that I have a husband that is so very supportive and kind...... I'd be lost without my beautiful family to keep me going each time I get kicked to the floor by this horrific disease.

It's good to be back. xx