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

Hello lovely babes, and especially Susie as I'm also boarding the bus at the Dry July stop (for the first time).

To the outside world, i probably look like a model of moderation - 7-14 units in an average week, perhaps 21 in a rare over-the-top one - but I have drunk a lot more than that in the past (up to a bottle 5 days a week).

I had over 2.5 years almost completely dry through two pregnancies and breastfeeding, but the slow creep upwards has started, from the occasional glass, to a couple a week, to a couple a few nights, to a couple most nights. I know I use alcohol to manage stress, and I don't want to end up where I was.

Maybe because I currently appear so moderate, I feel like I need an "excuse" to quit completely because nobody would see me as having a problem (I know that's alcohol's messsd-up logic). So I've seized the opportunity of Dry July, and will go from there at the end.

Looking forward to getting to know you all. @flukeshot If you're still on board, I'm another Antipodean.

Hi susie and welcome lily. The bus is quiet at the moment but stick with us.
lux do you think you will see it through this time. I have been there and understand...look after yourself.

Thanks for the welcome ma. Hope everyone is going well at the end of the week.

Oh crikey lux hope it's not too stressful.
H and I are going to counselling this week.
Welcome new babes. Hope everyone's okay

Hi and welcome lily

I'll be ok, he's keeping out of my way and being pleasant, that old pattern. However, he is calm (at the moment) and he bought the subject up of am I happy and would I prefer him to go, and the answer has to be yes but after all these years it's a scary prospect, much easier to stay but then the thought of being like this in 10 years, 20 years is terrifying. I don't know, I've lost myself somewhere along the way.

I started a thread last night to cheer me up and it was fun, it proved I need a sexy affair with a Rock God, preferably Dave Grohl

I'm so happy I quit the wine tough and don't stumble around in that apathetic fog anymore.

42 Mine would never agree to counselling, hope it goes well for you. I think we are long past any help tbh.

"I've lost myself somewhere along the way"
This!. How many of us can relate to that?

"I've lost myself somewhere along the way"
This! How many of us can relate to that?

Me. Right now.
I've just accidentally covered a beloved top in bleach.
I can't get a job.
I've just broken my tomato plant at point of fruiting.
I've no money to get to town tomorrow to sign for my NI contributions. It's 11 miles along the side of A77 pavement less in places so I can't walk it.
I've found a bottle of Pinot hidden in the dining room and am halfway through it.

Five years ago I had a fantastic job that paid loads and my own house. I had friend's. I have no one here. I moved 500 miles away to escape DV. I'm not sure the grass is greener.
I can't afford the gym...if I could get there.

I've found a bottle of Bailey's too.

Sorry for letting you all down.
Life is tough sometimes.

Luxury
I posted on your music thread last night.

I'm going to regret posting this I know...

I know it's not the same mint but you certainly have friends here.
life is utterly shit at times....am i right that you are in Scotland somewhere?

mint my darling you don't let us down. Life is shit sometimes.
Thanks for posting on my music thread, it was fun and got me through a rough evening xxx

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Lux - sorry to hear you are going through a hard time. My ex dh left 4 years ago now and it was absolutely the right thing here. We are both much much happier! But making that move is so hard.

Mint - so sorry to hear you are having a hard time too, life can be so tough

Hi Lily! Good to have some company for dry July! I use alcohol to manage stress too but then it always makes everything worse the next day doesn't it. It's a quick fix. There is a dry July thread in chat I've posted on too if you fancy taking a look at that.

Had a good day here, went a friends birthday party which we had to drive too. I'd normally try to get dp to drive or would be quite desperate to get home to have a few drinks but it was actually nice to drive and be sober and no worrying that I said or did anything embarrassing too! Feeling strong today and glad to be af. It will be tomorrow that tests me, I find it much easier not to drink at the weekend for some bizarre reason!

dementedma
Yep. I moved 500 miles from my friends , (people who have known me since playschool) and family. It's a lonely life.

SusieGreene LilyMcClellan
Tomorrow morning I promise as much as I can promise to start Dry July with you.

theansweris42
Hope it all goes Ok.

Stupid cat gets stuck .

Pm me if you want mint. We could maybe meet up. Scotland isnt that big a place.

Me too ma and mint
You don't let us down because we're here with you. Not for you, or hoping for something from you, but WITH you and alongside you.

mint you've let no-one down.
We are all in this together.
I'm drinking wine and that's the way it is tonight.
for you

So I drank the wine, been awake since 0340. Gah.
Worrying about this counselling tomorrow, trying to marshall thoughts so I don't miss anything out, also worried about H abreacting to the things that are said.
Sigh.
And its final week of job, have handover meeting today with the boss who made me redundant.
And my boys came back from their Dad weekend all cross and tired and I handled it all badly and shouted at them.
Sometimes it all feels crap doesn't it?
Good things - have yoga this morning, can collect DC from school today and make up for yesterday.
I can have a lovely AF early night tonight.
Hope Monday's good to you babes, mint I hope today is better.

Hope you're feeling better today mint ... wriggling over on the Dry July bench seat to make space. And I hope your counseling goes well, 42. Yoga always helps.

I'm coming through to the end of day 3 AF. Have already turned down offers of alcohol 4 times in 3 days. It's amazing to notice how ubiquitous it is when you're not drinking.

Day 3 nearly done, I haven't felt as great as I thought I would today, I've been really tired and had terrible hay fever but no doubt I feel much better today than if I had a hangover too. Bit of tv then bed for me. Hope everyone else is ok.

Well done Susie that's great. The benefits will come in time I promise.

Hi everyone, it's definate, he is going.
Bit sad for all the years but relieved tbh. I'll still believe it when he gives me his keys but he's told people, not very tactfully so I don't think there's any going back.

lux I'm very sorry you're going through crap.
I hope things get resolved reasonably quickly, at least.
You've been an inspiration to me and I am sure, to many others. You are so strong and insightful.
But that doesn't take away the hurt, relationships are so complex.
So, here's some love and supportive vibes for you

Thanks 42 such kind words. I'm going to bed in a mo to have a think, hopefully Dave Grohl will put in a dream appearance

Oh God and he's downstairs crying. Must concentrate on all the misery I've endured and why I drank so much (escape, numbing, blurring the edges)

Oh Lux, so sorry you are going through a hard time. I remember well how hard it was when my ex was leaving, it's such an unsettled time. I was so relieved when he had actually gone, to live in a house without all that tension was wonderful!

Hope you manage to get some sleep and hope Dave Grohl makes an appearance in dreamland too

lux stay strong. I cracked at the weeping and begging bit but should have seen it through.
It will be better for you both in the long run..

I can't believe it. I missed a phonecall this morning for a job . Rang back within 5 mins, took five calls for phone to be answered to be told someone will call you back in an hour. Just rang as heard nothing back to be told oh we did phone interviews this morning and as you didn't answer we went through the list and the slots are filled.
RAGING!

Just reading back through the thread. You have all been so lovely to me.

Lux
Hopefully things will start to improve soon.
Ma
Bless you. Yep. South Ayrshire. If I can get a job I'm hoping to get to Glasgow for the Scots meet up.