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

Evening, tis me , Mouse

A quick update from me - I've been drinking AF beers and having them topped up in a tall glass with diet lemonade and I have to say that I'm loving it more than warm, gaggy wine. White wine doesn't stay cold for long once it's in your glass!

But ice cold AF beer and lemonade is lush!

I haven't had an vodka now for over two weeks, which is amazing for me. What pissed me off was going to the hospital for an MOT and to discuss the concerns my resp consultant has about me potentially having sleep apnoea. He was saying about my liver function results from my last blood test, which was quite a while ago. He said I was drinking "too much" - no shit Sherlock!

What he decided to ignore, was the amount of opiates and other damaging meds that I am on and have been for the last eight years! When I did have vodka, I'd have a rough inch in the bottom of a tall glass, topped up with fresh juices and sodas.

He even turned around and said "we all like a drink don't we!" What got to me was the fact that a lot of my friends will sink a bottle of wine a night, every night and yet that's "okay"?

Anyway, after a bit of a shit fit, I calmed down and decided that if I was going to drink, I'd go for the AF beers and ciders and take my own supply to BBQs etc so that the wine bitch couldn't get me and so far it's worked!!

I've been in bed almost all day as my body has just shut down again and my knee is the size of a tennis ball on one side. Urgh. I'm volunteering for the next two days at our local orthopaedic hospital, stood up! I'm going to find a little stool to perch on when things get too much!

Anyway, enough of my waffle......

Ma - what great news about DD2, what a superstar! DD finished her last two A Level exams today, she has officially left secondary education..... we just have to wait now to see what she gets for Uni. I might have had some dust in my eyes just thinking about her leaving home....... xx

venus - I love the way you just know when to post, you're like a magic wise being. I really hope that you're well. We miss you when you're not here. xx

A HUGE WELCOME TO ALL OF THE LOVELY NEW BABES WHO HAVE JOINED US!

The aircon is on, there are more Opal Fruits on order and Barry's tank has been cleaned out so he's chillin in his home! (PS - new Babes, all will become clear eventually! )

I'm sorry not to name you all but my head is beyond frazzled tonight, we have had my MIL staying for a few days and it was lovely, especially as it was my late Mum's birthday when she was here, so I had a "Mom", if you like, when I really needed one.

So, welcome one and all to the Bus, there's lots of room for rants, sharing life events, hugs, tears and the odd tantrum if it'll help you. We've all got our own way of dealing with day to day stuff, but sometimes you just need to let it all out, and you know what? That's cool because every one of us can relate to the AAARRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHH! days that we all have.

I hope to get to know the newer Babes more as the thread grows but for now, I'm afraid that I need to get some more rest. I have had Nemo in bed with me since last weekend as he can sleep through my snoring, but DH can't

My sleep study is on Tuesday next week and I have to do it here at home, so I'll be sleeping in the cabin so the machines don't wake the rest of the house up!

Sending love and strength to you all........ you can reach your goal, One Day At A Time.

Mouse xxx

mouse I'm always here. I don't always post but I'm here...

Hi mermaid
flappy that’s really, really fantastic
Hello happyunicorn, how are you?
Hi say how are you getting on?
Ma brilliant, fantastic for your dd! Such a sweet baby pic
Lux fab to hear from you, how are you my lovely?
Pack hope you and dh are ok
Fluke hello!
Sweet hope sweetdog enjoyed her walk. Mine did, though she did show me up a few times and tried to chase a lady with a beef burger
Hi water how is it going tonight?
Mouse great to hear from you, you sound so positive!
My absence hasn’t been a bad sign for once, just been really really busy. Applied, interviewed for, and narrowly missed the refuge child worker job was really close though and lady who got it had 10 yrs experience so not too upset. Applying for out of hours job – admissions in the night, emergencies etc which sounds like my cuppa. Only pt – 2 12 hr shifts a week at night so would work with tesco. Even better news though – I applied to be a special constable and HAVE GOT THROUGH THE FIRST STAGE! Am being sent forms/info in the post which I need to return but I’m in with a chance. Body testing is late October/early nov so I have until then to get a) fit and b) in the overweight not obese category. Tough, but doable. Will be unable to gym tomorrow and Saturday but will be going most of next week, feel like I really have a goal to work towards. And I ran today Only 30 seconds of every minute, and I sweated like a sweaty mess the whole 20 minutes, and there were people next to me looking fit, and it was hard and I’m achy – but I did it Need to make a food and exercise plan now

Morning All. So much for not drinking to stay calm with BIL - apparently I am even more beligerant sober . He's a nice enough bloke, but, we disagree (VERY fundamentally) on politics, and whilst I am happy to just not go there, he can't help himself. He also says racist things in order to goad DH into political arguments. Anyhoo . . .

Well done, Flowery, cocktails sound lovely, interesting drinks are vital - funny isn't it when we don't have a problem drinking the same wine day in, day out .

42, hope you're well too - 4 G&T's and I'd be on the floor - but I think it has something to do with the way I mix them ! But that feeling of control is really important .

Welcome, Water. How did it go? The bus is a wonderful, safe supportive space, come back and tell us as much or as little as you want.

Hello Water - There are lots of 'quiet' Babes, it's lovely to know that you're there .

Fingers and toes crossed, Ma, I think the job sounds like it would be a real relief after the stress ond uncertainty of the last few years.

Look after yourself Lux, Summer should be a repite from germs, parasitic little bastards.

Mouse you are such a strong, generous soul. I hope your knee holds up and the sleep study gives the medics some information they can work with positively.

Made that sounds like a good incentive, well done.

Day seven for me I mustn't get complacent, I spent a lot of yesterday thinking about how, just one glass would be lovely, and ok. It wouldn't have been. Waking up this morning and saying it's day seven, that's ol and lovely.

I NEED to stop thinking about wine (and beer, and g&t).

My logical brain knows I feel better for a week AF, I just ate my body weight in cheese puffs as a distraction, but it's not working.

sweet you won't regret it tomorrow if you don't drink today

Hi everyone, can I hop on the bus?
I am on day 18 (nearly 3 weeks, go me!) of moderating. The past 2 Saturdays I have had 3 drinks then stopped.
I previously drank every. Single. Day. I put on weight, my skin was a mess and I just felt ashamed that my children could clearly tell I had had something to drink. It even stopped me seeing my partner as often as I couldn't invite him round knowing I'd have been drinking
I've been drinking loads of water so my skin is beginning to look good.
Plus a school mum approached me today saying she thinks I have lost weight and I'm looking great!
That's definitely an incentive to keep going.

Lovely positive post VRB welcome.

You're right 42, my brain knows you're right, but the todler inside the other half of my brain is stamping her foot and having a full on paddy . I've just made olive bread pizza and poured myself a rose lemonade, if I get through to 6.30, I'll be fine.

Welcome VRB, moderation is incredibly hard so -GO YOU-. The benefits are fantastic, and such an ego boost.

Think I might have a face-pack-Friday

Welcone vrb. Are all the new babes still with us?
sweet hang in there. I bought a face pack today too, and a bargainous dress to wear to dds graduation. Charity shop £5!
Keep sending the vibes on the new job. In my head its already mmine so I do need to rein that on a bit and not appear presumptuous. I cant say what it is as it will totally out me but will involve working with the Armed Forces and a lot of travel.round Scotland so very exciting.

ma that sounds like a great opportunity in so many ways - you know where I am if you want to chat it through....

Thank you for welcoming me, I've lurked for ages and just never posted.

Made it to 7.30 so I feel fairly safe now.

Ma you have the best charity shops! Hope graduation is a really special day for you all. One question for the potential employers, you need to know if the armed foces in question will occasionally don dress uniform in your presence (for the vicarious pleasure of people on the internet, most of whom you have never met ).

sweet I shall make it a term of my contract!

Hi, still here! Managed a night in the pub on lime and soda which turned out to be both refreshing and surprisingly cheap.

Need to cut down on my drinking because I have fairly healthy diet and exercise but am totally let down my my habit of drinking my own bodyweight in beer/wine every evening. Not good. Also not helped by a DH who is also a regular and enthusiastic drinker.

I find it's useful to have something to do with your hands to distract from alcohol. Am currently doing colouring, anyone else got any ideas?

Evening, tis me, Mouse

I'm sorry for the selfish post but my knee and back have absolutely been killing me. I was actually in tears at one point when I was volunteering and tomorrow I'm at the hospital again as it's the Summer Fete.

I'm going to have to get medded up and take something with me. I'm doing the money and floats etc (Treasurer) so I'm hoping I'll be able to sit down.

The weather makes a HUGE difference to my pain levels, humidity is a killer, as is cold weather.....

I've decided that I want to go and see a spinal consultant again and see what help I can get because I'm more mobile now, I simply can't cope.

Normally I would turn to drink and meds to sleep and take the edge off if I wasn't driving but I'm not giving in!!! The Alcohol Arse can do one! I'm going to ask for as much help as I can get and not go back to my old ways as I've come too far to mess it up now.

I've proven to myself that I DON'T NEED ALCOHOL TO GET THROUGH THE DAY!

So, I'm going to take my meds and go to bed.

Welcome to the new Babes that have hopped onto the Bus, I hope you find the support and ideas to help you get to where you want to be

Lots of love, Mouse XxX

Sleep well mouse, hi water.
And well done sweet.
I've manged AF too (on Friday!) and am to bed. A good night to all lovely babes.

Poor mouse. Hope you have a better day today. Give my love to the little fish boy, cant believe how big he is now.

Morning All, just back from walking SweetDog, loads of butterflies around this year, all getting disturbed as he runs through the grass!

Mouse, I hope your sleep was as good as it could be.

Thanks 42, well done to you too. I definitely did not regret not drinking this morning, and because I won't be drinking this afternoon (or at all), I am entering SweetDog for his for fun dog show this afternoon, in the 'Waggiest Tail' category - we wouldn't have a hope in 'Most Obedient' . (day eight).

Good luck to SweetDog in his dog show 👍🏼👍🏼
Hope you slept well Mouse, I've had to take herbal nytol to help me sleep these days too as alcohol used to send me to sleep nicely.
When I stopped I found I was just not tired.

Day 19 for me 🎉

We was robbed! They only gave one overall prize, not the individual categories. But it was good training for him, and lots of other lovely dogs to sniff.

Anyway, feeling twitchy, but trying to distract myself.

That's rotten Sweet but glad you and SweetDog enjoyed the experience.
What do you do when you feel twitchy? Do you have any 'go to' drinks or anything?
I've been in the house all day, smallest kids at their dads. So I've lazed about on my sofa all day But I'm going out tonight so I might allow myself 2 drinks.
I know that moderating is not brilliant for some but tbh it is kind of keeping me going AF during the week. In my head I can have my 2/3 drinks on a Saturday "officially" and I won't feel the shame and guilt of sneaking about and hiding it.
I think I will probably go teetotal eventually but this is right for me just now.
Sorry for waffling!

This evening, VRB, it's Fentimann's Rose Lemonade. If I can get it, Fevertree Bitter Lemon is the BEST. But mostly I stick with fizzy water with either lime or mint.

I'm very envious for anyone who can moderate, I'm either necking a bottle (and a half) of wine a night or I'm comepletely AF. All the defences come down as soon as I've had one, and one more won't matter, then the second doesn't seem as satisfying as the first, so, I have to try again with another .

Once I get to this time of night, the itch/twitch has gone, but its there all afternoon. Hope you have a lovely evening.

Any other Babes around? How is everyone?

Evening all, and welcome vodka

sweet poor sweet dog- does indeed sound like he was robbed! All my defences come down after the first drink too, although weirdly I've found I can have one drink at lunchtime on the odd occasion, e.g. one cider with a meal out, and happily leave it at that. No idea why that changes at night.

I managed two nights af at the start of the week then fell off. Slept amazingly the first night, then not at all (literally) the second, so opened the wine as a sleep aid more than anything (any excuse!). Managed to get through tonight af so fingers crossed for sleep. Just focussing on sticking to my 'no drinking before early starts' rule, and hoping it might become habit somehow.

Anyway I'm off to bed with my book and a chamomile tea...crazy Saturday night here