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

back at work but heading home now as just can't make it to 5 o clock..
mint best of luck with the interview and check if there is any other benefit you can get.
mouse I know you are struggling but always find a word of support for the other babes.

Really wish I could take the week off but I have soldiers tomorrow for a workshop and can't let them down. One was literally blown to pieces in Iraq and has been rebuilt over 57 operations. I would be ashamed to not be there just because I'm feeling a bit hard done to!!

Hello Everyone

Mouse thank you

Ma can you take the rest of the week off after the workshop tomorrow? I'm sorry you're not feeling too good in yourself Have you ever looked into setting up a social enterprise as a way of doing your Soldier thing for yourself? I remember that one of your DDs came to work in your office for a while, would it be a possible to go into something together? ie DD apply for a Prince's Trust Grant (I can't remember how old DD is) or if she's on benefits, maybe the Enterprise Allowance Scheme? which helps young people go into business working for themselves, you could be her mentor maybe? I'm just trying to fling some ideas your way (I promise I'm not trying to teach you to suck eggs) just trying to help. Do the charities you work with have any paid jobs? Try and have a good evening lovely Ma

Mint I'm on your behalf. One of my best friends also couldn't get any benefits because of underpaying her NI, You must still 'sign on' so that the DSS will pay your stamp whilst you're out of work. As Mouse suggested see if you can get your GP onboard and see if there are any other benefits you're entitled to. Heaps of luck with your interview x

Beaches always good to see you babe. Glad you're all ok. Must be lovely over that Atlantic right now, summer is coming, Yay Hugs to you my lovely x

Pedro welcome back my dear how's it going today? Please keep posting and getting support from all the babes x

Made sounds like you've got a manic 9 days on the trot coming up, try and make sure you stay hydrated, eat well and get enough sleep. Smile as often as you can to release your dolphins (as my DDs used to say) even if you don't feel like it, smile, it really will keep you going (you may look slightly demented but hey who cares, it's about self-preservation!!!!)

Sweet I hope you're still lurking - how are you lovely? must be a bit manic coming up to the end of the academic year, I hope you're all ok, check in if you can x

I had to give up going to see my lovely 92 year old client at the weekends (only 3 hours on each day and good money) but I just couldn't keep going with only Friday as my only day off. Also she had a fall and is starting to decline and I don't think I can handle seeing her decline as I see this every day in my other job I work in a nursing home (co-ordinating volunteers & organising activities) where some of our residents come to us to die
Anyhow for some time I've known that my clients daughter doesn't drink and is advocate for AA etc. Before I left them I asked her how long it's been since she'd had a drink (she's in her mid 60s), I thought she'd say 5 years or something like that, - 21 years WOW!

Right off to walk the dog. Hope you all have a good evening x

pedro if you're feeling awful and hopeless then this is just the place for you. You might be surprised by how much an anonymous forum can help...

ma it is NOT a competition. You need and deserve help, rest, support. As do I. And your vets. And Richard. And all babes posting here. No-one is more (or less) deserving than anyone else. Regardless of pain, poverty, pressure, self-pity, or anything else. That's what equality means.

Just tried a cunning tip recommended by a friend. When you really feel like a glass of wine, try pink grapefruit juice. Anything else tastes disgusting afterwards. She is right!

Mint definitely try CAB. You must be entitled to something whether it's housing benefit or that.

Pedro don't get down, we're all in the same boat, keep posting I find it really helps

Ma I agree taking things down a notch might be an option but love the idea that you can do the soldier thing as your own wee enterprise

42 I've already failed the Monday so back into the sidecar I go

Mouse its so amazing to read your post, despite the pain you sound so positive. I don't have any idea what you're going through but big hugs and hope it gets better for you.

I'm still in the process of catching up but this is why I stopped posting. I went to a staff night out for my work and managed to out my lovely friend to his mum with info which is common knowledge at work but he'd never told her and I felt so low I lay in bed for 2 days just crying. This past week I jacked in that job. At the end of the day if I need to reach that level of drunk to deal with the people then I shouldn't work there.

So now I'm 3 days away from 30 and I'm trying to focus on myself and being a better mum and person, I've been getting quite a few cleaning jobs with my new business, I've put myself forward as a costume designer for a play in the next year. I just can't wait to get out with the buggy and the dog. Just writing all this down has helped me process it all.
Sending positive vibes to everyone and hope everyone's having a good night.

Just waving at all, and trying to clamber back onto the bus again, having been self-destructing in the side car for weeks. I even stopped reading here .

It's so lovely and inspiring hearing so many of you doing well, and I'm sending strength to all those having hard times. Going to try and stay you with you this week...

Flowery try not to feel too bad about outing your friend to his mum - pissed or not pissed you didn't know that his mum didn't know! I'm loving the mantras of the evolving you can you make this one your last drink for tonight, brush your teeth, get pjs on, drink a glass of water, make a hot drink and watch some crappy tv? I LOVE your puppy, she's gorgeous

Ocelot a bit like brushing your teeth and taking a big sip of orange juice - YUCK!

Broken come and sit here on the back seat there are no rules here on the bus, post whenever you want to, need to, whilst drinking, AF, day, night, everyone is welcome here - we get it

Thanks all. broken stick with us.
Appreciate all the suggestions and ideas. An AF tonight.

Thanks spanna this is my last drink of the night and there's still some left in the bottle which is always a boost. Think I'll have a shower and get the shed paint off of me (that was another of tonight's jobs)

Sorry. I am new to this thread, what's an AF night?

Alcohol free Ocelot

Hi everyone, will have superfast, warp speed broadband tomorrow so will catch up properly then. Meanwhile lots of love to all x

Just so you know, I'll get a new thread ready for tomorrow and keep a close eye on this thread.

Love to all,

Sleep well, Mouse xxx

Hello. broken I stopped reading too and pedro I felt so rock bottom that I let the alcohol take me. But AF last night and it felt so good!

I am sorry not to NC more but I'm just finding my seat on the bus again. I've been running lots and not posting on the running thread so I must be out of sorts . Yoga tonight and yesterday I fell over while running and now I can't put any pressure on my hand, Ghania stubbed my toe and reckon I'm losing my nail

Ghania? Then I stubbed my toe!

Morning Still
Stick with us babe, well done on not drinking last night, will you join me without a drink tonight?
Your poor toe, fuck that must have hurt. Please be kind to yourself and take the support that is offered here

I have been reading for a while now, posted a couple of times, have managed days off here and there but when I drink a "good" day is just the one bottle. I am well and truly fed up with it all, it has been 18 months since I decided I needed to address my drinking and I just feel like I haven't really made much progress.

So, today I will not be drinking. Have my becks blue chilling and ready for this evening. Anyone want to join me?

Beach this morning
I so don't want to go to work! Have a good day all

Interview at 11.00. Would it be wrong if I said I hate this question if they ask me the horrible strength and weaknesses one?
Spanna
It's raining here. Sighs

I'll join you without a drink tonight spanna.
Staying on the bus/posting does help.
Happy Tuesday

mint good luck!
Name your strengths!! Name em!
And weaknesses you could mention a gap in your knowledge or experience and that you would welcome the chance to develop....

mint I am too late to post advice. But just in case, we do all have strengths and weaknesses and 42's advice is spot on.

spanna and new day yes I will join you. Dp also af last night and both of us enjoyed it. I do like becks blue...

I am starting to properly understand triggers too. This one is quite pathetic: parking round our way is bad and we regularly have to park streets away which means that we have to walk past our favourite pub where we usually have friends waiting. I am trying to park in the other direction to avoid this!

Afternoon, ti me, Mouse

I'm in the world of Painsville today so yet again, I'm going to you live and lovely from my bed. FFS! I'm getting really sick of this but I get to see my GP on Monday.

Still - hey there

I do becks blue to because in my head I have to have a drink, you know? So, I have a pint with one becks blue small bottle in, I think they're around 330mls, then I top it up with diet lemonade, add a few ice cubes and a straw and that will last me ALL NIGHT!!

I know it's still got a small amount of alcohol in it, but compared to the two bottles of vodka I was getting through a week, I think that's pretty good.

I start my day with green tea and lemon (hot) so that I feel like eating as it kick starts your immune system...... but today the pain I have in my back and legs is too much for food just yet. I'm trying to eat little and often to stop alcohol cravings and so far, so good but today I've hit a wall too high to get over just yet........

Anyway, I'm off to set up the new thread as we seem to be getting close to the end of this one and we can't all wait at the Bus stop now can we?

Love to all, especially those who post pictures of beaches........ and gorgeous flowers. Super gorgeous pics!

checking in. managed to deliver the workshop with a great bunch of guys - some of them minus a few bits and pieces but all very upbeat!
Typical comments "I would keep my fingers crossed but I haven't got any!"
"My trip to X was expensive - cost me an arm and a leg!".
Utterly uplifting.