The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Go Sober For October?

[Mouseface]

Hello, 'tis me, Mouseface, welcome to the Bus, aka Gerarld.

We're a bus full of various Babes, from those who are as dry the Sahara, those who drink in moderation, those who binge drink and can go for weeks without a drop and then fall arse over tit (pardon the french!) straight off the bus and into the sidecar, and then we have Babes who try every single day to give up.

The thing is, we all do 'this' ONE DAY AT A TIME and with passion too. You have to WANT to stop with every fibre of your being.

And that's what this bus is about. We support each other. No matter how many times you fall of the Bus, we'll always be here to scoop you back up and listen.

So, come and join us. Lurk, or grab a seat, make sure you're comfy and enjoy the journey as we talk about the dreaded drink, plus everything from how expensive Tena Lady's are, to what's in the slow cooker!

We don't judge, this isn't a competition, it's our lives.

And if you'd like to read the last thread, HERE IT IS

Plus, if you'd like to see where the Bus started out, you can RIGHT HERE

Hope to see you soon xx

Morning babes just checking in. I've downloaded the drinkaware app to help me see how much money I save and to motivate me. Anyone using it or is there a better one?

I came across a useful idea recently - to advocate for yourself. I was listening to the Bubble Hour podcasts and the presenter was talking about recovery, she described 'advocacy' as looking at sober posts and blogs, reading about how other people got sober etc. I thought that was a really good way of explaining it, I read lots of drunk to dry type books and I'm always looking up blogs to see what will help me stay on track. I hadn't thought that doing those things was a recognisable part of recovery, kind of self care.

Sorry, a bit random, just got me thinking.
Happy Monday

We had great fun. Day 9 here and am feeling quite a lot better. Specifically, my anxiety and feelings of guilt are much reduced. I feel more interested in things, hobbies and such, but also the future. The thought of never drinking alcohol again (while it might become oppressive at any point) still feels very much like a step forward.

On the downside, I am absolutely exhausted.

Hello, I've been on here before but never stayed as I've struggled to get past day one. This time things really have to be different though. I'm pretty sure my liver is suffering, my relationship is a mess and I'm struggling to cope with my kids. In fact I'm struggling to get through each day, which is where the numbing effects of wine come in. I do know though that it's not actually helping but in fact is making everything else so much harder. I'm not going to think about quitting forever or make any deals with myself in my head, but I am not going to drink today.

Morning all. Hello to more new passangers. Welcome.
So, I had a bottle of wine Friday and Saturday. Yesterday I didn't even have half a glass. It's definitely the weekend that's the killer. I felt like shite yesterday too which reminded me why I need to stop. I've been back to sleeping terribly and waking up at 4.30am. Yuck.
Good news is I'm 3.5lb down at my four weekly weight and measure at the gym. That's now made me determined to plow through Dry October, starting today!
I also seem to have won a vintage suede Delboy coat on eBay

Hello all.

Have been pointed in this direction from my original [[https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3033382-Alcohol-do-I-have-an-issue thread] Currently on day day no 4.

Hi Todayisanewday and welcome, I've not been here long but like you I felt that "this time has to be different". I've found this thread so useful as a place to get it all out.
Like you I have alcohol-related health worries and am struggling with my kids. I have realised that I was drinking initially to de-stress myself, but then it became that I was getting stressed if I hadn't had a drink, so I'd need to drink more, and it just crept up. Its much easier to sort the kids in the evening sober, without the blurry headedness.

Two good pieces of advice Ive had here:
Get in some AF beer or wine, or whatever you like, to head off the cravings;
If you feel like having a drink wait an hour and then see if it still seems like a good idea

Good luck!

Just come back from walking skinny dog took these pics. Just about sums up my day
Welcome to all new babes, love to all Brave Babes X

Spanna looks like stormy clouds, but beauty shining through!

Welcome longone what can we do to support and encourage you?

Hello lovely ones,
sounds like everybody is doing pretty well on the whole.
Not feeling too good today, the irony of feeling terribly hungover when actually no drink was taken the night before - bummer.

Does anybody else have half an eye on the festive season? I know it's a way off yet but this is normally when I start making vague plans and plotting to take advantage of the 25% off wine offers - how I loved to see it all piled up in the wine racks.
Not this year though - yet I'm still a little concerned at the celebrations coming up. Must stay strong and focused.

So many people here on the thread now! It's hard to keep up but please know any post from me includes each and everyone.

Piled up in wine racks?? Nope I'd have drunk the bloody lot by the 23 rd and be checking to see which shops were still open! 😎

Love to all and a welcome to new Babes. I'm sure I had something to say about recovery but my children have broken me. Tell me, if I'm really good for a very long time, will I ever recover from having small children???? Are there meetings I can attend? Sigh.

I think that someone mentioned feeling exhausted in early recovery, it gets much better after about day 14. Unless you have an exhausting lifestyle obvs!

Another one who worries about the state of my liver, especially with all the prescribed medications I've had to take the last couple of years too. I have an appointment at the end of the month and trying to screw up the courage to ask for function tests rather than bury my head in the sand

God no, I also would have drunk the lot. I once made batches of flavoured vodkas to give to people over Christmas and they never made it past my own house. I don't even like vodka!

Love those photos Spanna, I find storm clouds quite thrilling. The 'will I get home before I get drenched?' excitement

welcome long
lux i confess to being on the Christmas bargain thread and have made a start!! i buy bits for stockings when i see them reduced - mostly things like body spray, socks etc - and have bought a few things for DD1 who has a birthday just before Christmas too so I need to spread the load. DD2 wants money for a forthcoming trip to new York with her BF, and DS wants money to save up for a macbook so not much to buy really....feels a bit weird but if that's what they want. shrugs

Through day 9... It's not a struggle at the moment. I know what that means, though. Wine witch is trying to catch me off my guard. Come Thursday or Friday, she will be whispering in my ear: 'You've done well. It's enough to show you can abstain for a couple of weeks, isn't it?' She's a cow like that.

Checking in, good to see such a busy wee bus!

Eyesight still poor. Consultant wants me to cut my hours right down but I'm feart that will be a slippery slope and I'll end up with no job at all.

Other consultant is more supportive and she is fighting my corner. Things a bit rubbish, back to back appointments everywhere while they try to sort me out.

The Terrorist will make for a shit assistance dog. She gets me up in the morning by pulling the blanket off. Sadly she doesn't wait for my alarm, the blanket comes off at dog o'clock. 5 shiting 30am.

mint are you nursing again? so chuffed for you!

spannaaaaaaaa! how are you quine? I'm sober, meds forced the issue but finding it a lot easier as time goes on. Are you okay? Thon skies where you walk your bowf...stunning photos!

So much folk to namecheck...not able to at the minute, sorry Babes.

ma fit like quine? New job sounds like it's spreading your wings a bit, you are going to soar before you know it! Once you hit your stot you'll be up, up and away

Miss you all, x

dubh how wonderful to see you!

dubh good to hear from you..am going to be up north a lot. We need to meet up!

I love this bus, so glad I joined. I'm feeling strong and not tempted so that's 2 days AF and no wine since Friday (moderate 2 glasses then).

I had more energy today and it just felt easier - for now....and I've eaten sensibly too.

Ozzde I also have to take lots of drugs but they at least mean my liver is checked regularly -though I have been drinking way over the safe units for my drugs for several years

Dystopia thanks for the reminder - I'm sure the wine witch will wait for me later in the week too.

Had a dream last night that I got drunk! I was really feeling the failure and the hopelessness of it. I realised what tends to happen is that I crack, I have a drink, then I think what the heck and I drink more for a couple of weeks before trying again.

I woke up and was inexpressibly relieved!

Dystopian it sounds like your subconscious is trying to help you out! Remember that feeling of despair when the witch comes to call.

Holdthewine good that you have had a good day - hold on to that feeling.

Absolutely no chance of me being able to stock up on alcohol for Christmas. I'm another one who has made that mistake before and drunk the stash well before the day. Christmas was hard last year as me and the ex were splitting, we decided to stay together til the New Year to give the kids a last family Xmas together. This one is also going to be strange and I don't know what we are doing yet. My lovely builder said to me that I would have a "new fella" by this Christmas and its not looking likely unless Santa delivers me a "fella"!

CuileanDubh
How lovely to see you. I was actually thinking about you yesterday! And yes, I start tomorrow. All those puppies better watch out. I can't stop grinning.
Spanna
Wow! That's an amazing photo. I love a wild and stormy seascape.

As to Christmas Lux, that's a hard one for me as my birthday is the week before . Hmmmm, not actually thought about that problem yet.

Waves at holdthewine ruby dear friend* and anyone else I've missed.

Just flying in to wish you heaps of luck for tomorrow mint

Fab to see Dubh
Love to everyone else.

checking in. am having wine as got home from work to full bins, no dinner prepped, fuck all done. DH is not taking it seriously that we have financial problems and on a reduced pay it's only going to get worse...as long as he can go to football it's ok! Well, if he wants season tickets and football and beer he better fucking start earning more money....
am pissed off. have a board meeting tomorrow with one Brigadier, one colonel, 2 lieutenant colonels, one commander, one wing commander, 3 majors and fuck knows who else. No pressure then!!
All I need is the First Sea Lord rocking up and my day will be made...(I want to be a First Sea Lord - it has to be the best title ever!!!)

All I need is the First Sea Lord rocking up and my day will be made.
Bows to the great Cthulu. Watch out for barnacles and your soul!

HP Lovecraft for those non believers

ewwwwmint that's really creepy..

I think you're right, RubyRed! Clever little subconscious, allowing me to feel the horrible emotions and know exactly how I'll feel if I crack now! Day 10 done AF - am off to bed.