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

LOVE IT!! Today I am standing tall on the bus, cheering frantically. Too often have I been the girl perched dangerously on the wheel rim hub thing ( no prizes for guessing I'm not a mechanic).
Write it off, anyone who is in the sidecar, - write it off and learn from it. You're trying. That's the important thing. And, as the famous expression goes, it is better to have tried and had to spend an occasional day in the sidecar than never to have tried at all.

Had a good day today. I've offered my services for next weekend on call so that will save me for a further week. on earlies this week so must keep a lid on it.

My lovely dog and I had a great walk out in the sunshine. Today she was the very model of a good dog. I'm going to tackle the last of my ironing, with love and thanks to Peter Falk who makes it all a little bit easier for me.

It was so nice getting my washing out in the fresh air, you just can't replicate that lovely smell.

Hope everyone has had a lovely day x

Hey all. 6 hours stripping wall paper and the room still isn't done. I'm knackered. Pizza and ice cream for dinner. I have eaten so much shit this weekend!

We got a situation Babes.

All round to ma's for dinner! Pleasehaveirnbrupleasehaveirnbrupleasehaveirnbrupleasehaveirnbrupleasehaveirnbru

Nae irn bru hen...

Hairybaws. Any fizzy juice in the hoose?

ma
I'm with you! I've painted for 6 hours today and will probably do another 6 hours tomorrow. 4 hours of that was the ceiling :(
But I will have the best bedroom :) What room are you doing?
Must confess I am now drinking a Becks. April is a soggy write off, only 10 AF days out of 30. May will be different.

I've never tried irn bru- am I missing something amazing?!

Tiger I've been very much with you in the sidecar this week. Tomorrow (or today!) is a new day though.

I got horribly drunk yesterday. Started with lunch and an afternoon in the pub with a friend, and was pretty restrained with four drinks well spread out. Which would of been fine, except I carried on with another on the train, then stopped off at the shop and the rest is history. Vague memories of getting a bit emotional watching marathon videos on YouTube in the early hours but otherwise memories are pretty vague. Wish I could just enjoy a few drinks socially and stop there rather than ruining what was otherwise a lovely day.

So I'm af today, albeit with a pretty awful hangover. Think the marathon 'come down' has begun, and I feel a bit low and lost, so I need to reign in the drinking and get my trainers back on. Easier said than done though.

Anne very well done on the smoking- that's something I need to tackle too.

Toolate that's a very interesting article, and something I can definitely relate to.

Exercise has made a huge, huge difference to me, from both a mental health and an alcohol point of view. I'm probably in danger of getting a little bit too evangelical about it, and I know not everyone can run from an injury/ illness perspective. But so many friends have told me they can't run and it turns out it's because they get out of breath! Which is sort of the point. I think most people have the ability to run (or swim, cycle etc) and if it's something that you fancy doing I strongly reccomend booking something to help with the motivation. Not necessarily a marathon (though London ballots open tomorrow...!) but having a 5k/race for life etc to aim for might give that extra push. I think for me it is a bit of an addiction, but one that forces me to get out and run in all weather, eat properly, and helped to some extent to regulate my drinking. Which can only be a good thing.

Decided I'm going to enter the ballot for London again- 'never again' didn't last long. Highly unlikely to get in, but then that's what I thought last year so must be worth a try!

grumpy I'd say 1/3 isn't too shabby. And you've decorated. Not bad at all.

Nae fizzy juice either. Just wine!
Am doing mums front room. Well,I'm doing the grunt work and prep and talented sis will be coming up this week to do the papering and pretty stuff. It was in dire need of a refresh. Mum will be 82 this month and deserves a nice room.
Unfortunately I seem to have really hurt my shoulder. Repetitive strain? Have got a hot water bottle and ibuprofen gel on it.Elbayour exercise thing has really impressed me. I found a workout for beginners on You Tube and am toying with actually trying to do it.

elba it's a hard thing to describe, the taste of the bru.

It's rotyerteeth sweet but divine ice cold. Tis a staple of a chippy tea here, it's not for everyone but some of us were weaned on it. Not me, I was never allowed, it was Ribena or barley water in our house. Fizzy juice for birthdays only.

Good for you entering again, we all need a goal! Definitely get your trainers on again, it sounds like it did you the power of good, and look at what you achieved! Do you really get a high from running? What does is feel like if you do?

I am going to try a little trot when I'm out with the terrorist first thing, from little acorns....

It tastes a bit like bubblegum.

Hmmm off to the shop in a min so might have to have a look for some!

ma do it! I can be your online coach and cheerleader (slap me if I'm becoming a bit too overenthusiastic about the excercise thing ). Seriously though, you won't ever regret it.

dubh I get a sort of endorphin rush which does feel a bit like a high. Not so much with the really long runs, but then it was still a sense of achievement. Weirdly the runs where I really didn't want to go out often ended up the most enjoyable, and could sort of switch my mood if that makes any sense?

A few years ago I had really severe anxiety, which manafested itself as progressively worsening agoraphobia. Got to the point where I could manage work, but could spend an hour working myself up to go to the corner shop. No supermarkets/shopping centres for about two years, wouldn't go anywhere without my car even if it was a five minute walk. Eventually ended up off work. Lots happened to help recovery, had CBT, meds etc. But only really started to get better and build confidence when I stared to be able to do a bit of excercise. It started with a friend coaxing me into the little cardio room at the gym and just doing 20 mins on the treadmill, and gradually built from there, to the point where one day I suddenly thought if I can run 5k on a treadmill I'm not going to collapse walking 5 minutes to the shop! So running is especially symbolic to me, hence the (probably annoying- sorry!) obsession with it.

Oh elba, that made me cry a little. From little acorns indeed. Look at how far you've come, in every way possible.

You are a mighty fine, brave, inspirational oak. G'wan. Shoogle yer leaves!

I am continuing to lose weight which is good, but will have to find something to help shrink the saggy bits. I haven't been riding for a bit, must go back soon. If nowt else mucking out and cleaning tack burns a few calories.

They have some of those heavy exercise things at the park, I might have a go on those until I get a bit fitter. There are a few gyms in my home town, but the cheaper ones are in the city. Either that or I'll get marching a bit quicker with the dog. I'm so determined this time.

Aka stilllearning...I developed teeny anxiety and not wanting to go out alone...even to the garden. Running is the only thing that counteracts that. So I think I know what you mean...I'm doing the new forest half if you fancy it??

Any and all support welcome Elba. It's a Joe Wicks one and it does say complete beginner but we obviously have different ideas on what that means. But at least if I try.....

ma I have his Lean in 15 book. One of those book seller folk came round to work.

Nice recipes, not sure where the fifteen comes in like. Takes me that to get my cereal and juice out in a morning.

I get a bit over enthusiastic about the benefits of exercise but no one in real life listens to me! I know it lifts my depression and it encourages me to be af as working out without a hangover is so much more effective.
Ma look at Body Project on you tube, there's a variety of levels, I really enjoy their workouts.

Hi all.

1st of May today. I so love a shiny brand new month. Chance for a fresh start.

Am going to try and be very kind to myself and treat myself to an alcohol free and crap food free month. Anyone want to join me?

I'll try and up my exercise levels too (which shouldn't be too hard as it's currently zero ).

I'm in fairenuff (tho I can't promise af just yet). I absolutely have to get back on track with work or risk incapacity intervention. Dp is working away at the end of the month and so I am planning a self styled yoga retreat. Also helping my brother move next weekend (we don't get on but he is on his arse)...so plenty to stay sober for. My exercise levels are almost manic already

Yes, treating yourself is an excellent way of view it.

hi faire good to see you. Can't guarantee the alcohol but am definitely up for more exercise. so much so that I am off for a walk right now to escape from my desk for half an hour.
Snapped this cheeky beggar on my bird feeder this morning..

I'm in faire, crap food will be my biggest challenge I think. Have managed to be AF for a bit and working for next 2 weeks so that will be a good start anyway. Exercise - will attempt some daily squats at least, my arse cheeks look V down in the mouth.

ma would he be gathering nuts in May?

I agree with Fairenuff
May 1st. A new start. It's a glorious day here too.

Is it wrong one of the new starts would be sticking two fingers up at my job and walking.

I wish I had the balls and financial back up to do that too mint.

I would dearly love to tell one person in particular to get effed. And then just walk out the door, never to return.