The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Sweet, Summer Sobriety!

[Mouseface]

Hey, I'm Mouse

Welcome to the Battle Bus! We're a group of travelling drinkers of varying levels, those who are teetotal, and those who have tried so many times to stop, those are 'controlled' drinkers, but we NEVER give up and keep coming back for the support we share, and trying to get some kind of control over the Wicked Wine Bitch Witch!

It's not easy, boy, it's so not easy to stop or cut down some days. There are days when even the Bravest Babes fall into the Sidecar. And do you know what? That's okay.

There is NO judgey pants worn on this Bus and you don't have to be anyone other than YOU to join us

So, come and grab a seat, some Opal fruits, (it'll make sense eventually!)) and meet the rest of the Babes. Remember, you're not on your own, ever with us, you'll always have a Babe you can relate to.

Here's the last thread for you to catch up on if you like

And here's where the entire journey began.

Mouse xxx

another dry night here.
though im tired and want to go to bed - i cant. dp has been installing a new bath and turns out it didnt fitwell without moving the loo etc.
hes been at it since we got up. i need my bed but there is still no loo plumbed in yet. wouldnt care but hes had to move the old one for now as the new one hasnt been delivered yet.
grrrr.
mint - its a start! its always easier to find work when youre in work!

How was the shift mint? Will it always be sat and sun or can that change?

myusernamewhichisthis - no loo!? Go you on the dry night.

Day 7 af today. Feeling exhausted (dc related dreadful night.) But happy not to be drinking.

One trigger for me falling off is big social things. I can't face saying I'm not drinking so end up drinking and sometimes surviving sometimes looking like a twat. My closest friends I've said I'm not drinking and has been fine but it's when I'm with people I don't know so well. What do you say? Despite drinking being a problem for me, when I 'get it right' I am a fun drunk for everyone around me. (Despite the problems it causes me....) when not drinking I am not so fun more anxious. So feel guilty and give in. What do you tell people?

Saywhen - when offered a drink ask for coke, water, juice etc
If someone asks if you want an alcoholic drink say 'no thanks'
If someone asks why you're not drinking alcohol, say ' I'm just not drinking currently

user 2 nights! Woo hoo, go you
mint bloody well done. Onwards and upwards from here.

Anyone else loving the current poetry thread? So many favourites...

Unfortunately it's always set in stone.
It's unleashed a whole new set of shite though to do with DP so it looks like I'll have to leave already.

But why??

Neutrogena - thank you. That's good advice I am completly over thinking this I think. This is a much bigger deal for me that anyone I am out with (on the v rare occasions...)

Mint do you mean leave the job? Do you want to? Hope you are ok

Oh Mint I was so happy you'd found a job and now I'm concerned.

So new job, it's paid a week in hand on a Sunday so it will be two weeks until I get paid. I live very rural and don't drive. Basically, I can't there and back .

Because of bus fares do you mean?

Yep. We are absolutely at that broke, food bank, about to lose everything stage.
It's 2017. Things like this shouldn't be happening. I've worked since I was 14 and it means shite when you try to claim benefits to help. I want to work! If only I hadn't poured that Barcardi away.

Shit that's tough, any crisis type loans in your area?

Mint that is shit.

It is so unfair that you are in this situation when trying to work.

mint set up a paypal account. Reckon we could get you enough for two weeks bus fare between us...
I had a financial issue on here some time back. Couldn't afford to buy DS the birthday present he so desperately wanted - not hugely expensive but very popular at the time and all the kids had them. A babe on here lent me the money (despite my protestations) and I paid her every penny back over a few months. I have never forgotten that and never will.
time to pay it forward. How much do you need?

I'm in mint honestly I've a bit of ££ it's no issue.

This thread has helped me hugely in ways more important than money.

That doesn't come across the way I meant it. The thread has changed my life in so many ways for the better and I'd like to pay it forward

I would happily add into a PayPal about too. This is hard enough without a battle to get to work.

great stuff! mint I know you won't want to do this but, think of the bigger picture and the future for dc, as well as for you and dp. Look on it as a crisis loan until the time comes when you can pay it forward to someone else. It's how this bus works. Paypal is anonymous and you won't know who we all are. This Bus is life changing in so many ways. I have met some of the Babes in real life, had help with cv's and jobs, and understanding for a situation I found myself in. its clear you want to work, you relocated to Scotland because you had to and you are up against it. Please swallow your pride and allow this to happen and then in two weeks you will get paid and you're back on your own,mate!
If you get more than you need for bus fare, do a big shop and avoid the food bank. If there is some left over, give to a charity of your choice (after you have treated yourself to something nice and non alcoholic). Do whatever makes it manageable for you but please accept this help from fellow wine warriors. We are in this together.

mint I was going to offer but didn't quite know how.
I'm in.
Please listen to ma.
I have benefitted hugely from being on the bus with you all

I'm joining in. Mint, asking for and accepting help is a really good skill to learn. Do it and get back on your feet and then help someone else when you are able...

mint if you are reading this and don't want to post, pm me and I can organise this for you. if you are worried what dp might say, you tell him you found an old scratchcard in your bag and won £40 or something.
this bus doesn't run on petrol or diesel. It runs on compassion, understanding, courage and hard nosed practicality. (and kicks up the arse when needed). The time will come when you will pass this on. this is my time now - its been a good few years since one Babe sent me money in time of need, so i know what it feels like to be on the receiving end. It helped me at the time - DS' face when he opened his present was worth it. Please accept..

ma is right, we all need a hand from time to time.

My 1st Sunday as a singleton and for the first time in years I haven't felt lonely - speaks volumes doesn't it?

Hi all. Haven't posted for aaaaaages but I heard ma was dusting off her triangle so thought I'd better hotfoot it back here

Seriously, well done my friend on landing the job. Mint, count me in x

I knew my triangle would be irresistible....faire my old friend, how goes it?

All good here ma. Life goes on. Getting ever closer to the teenagers leaving home and having my life back

Lux enjoy your freedom. I'm enjoying hearing all about it.

Good to see lots of new babes on the bus as well as some of us 'oldies'.