The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Braving The Wine Witch & Her Alcohol Free Autumn

[Mouseface]

Hello

I’m Mouse one of the Brave Babes who ride on this wonderful Bus, called Gerald, along with all the Opal Fruits wrappers and of course Barry The squid.

We all have a wise variety of life experiences and experiences with alcohol too. We’re not admirers of hang overs and we certainly don’t do judgey pants!

We’re here to ride along with you, when life is pants but also when it’s not as well and you my want to celebrate that bit too much!

So find a seat and come take a ride. I’ll link the previous and also the very first link and the reason we’re all here.

*Mouse

ty ma

Thank you flowers and congratulations on your and dh af days.

beaches thank you x

forever those 2 truths are the same here too. I feel much more peaceful when I am at though. This is my second significant attempt this year.

ma sorry about your boiler ours is being tricky at the moment and the house is freezing. Dread it going.

I made it to bed still af. 'See you' in the morning babes.

@foreverblessedbee Thankyou. Feel ashamed of how addicted I am to alcohol but I've been struggling in for most of my life and it numbs everything. I know it's not healthy but it's almost like my armour. Without it I think I'd be in the loony bin!

ma I'm with you on the charity shop clothes! Our boiler also broke down in the beginning of November- altough Praise God we did manage to get it fixed..I really hope you have heating and hot water back soon, it really is one of the worst things to do without though!! The Isle of Lewis, I'm gonna Google that now! Always had a longing in mind to live on a remote Scottish island - part of my running away mentality I think!but I love the outdoors, rugged coasts, wild weather and remoteness.....lol I'd take my gas central heating with me though lol
I've a nice morning ahead...my youngest is in his nativity at nursery...it's something I thought I would never see as he was born with a congenital heart defect and had multiple open heart surgeries when he was born and was in hopital for the first 4 months of his life. But he is here! He made it this far...I could cry with the blessing of him. He's been through so much and thesee times are treasures for any mum but so poignant to me right now. I've had PTSD after my pregnancy and his birth and all his trials afterwards ...so to finally get him to 3 years old, doing well and loving life is beyond amazing. All I keep thinking is watching him in his incubator in PICU for all those weeks and months, ventilated and so very poorly....contrasting to the beautiful little ball of energy and gorgeousness he is now in his little nursery uniform. The two aren't even in the same sphere of reality. I am so very fortunate in that I have 3 beautiful (very challenging!) boys, a warm, safe lovely home, a marriage that I've somehow managed to keep going and a God that is so full of grace and love I don't deserve.

Feeling humbled this morning...I'd better get my tissues ready for later hadn't I!......
To the lady who said she'd been to see her Dr about the drinking..... there is SO Much support to be had on here by people who very much know what you are going through. It is extra ordinarily helpful. Please keep posting.
mshoolie we are all thinking of you and wondering how you are getting on...how did your home leave go? Has the section been lifted? we are all rooting for you. Post on here if you get chance, we are willing you to be feeling brighter...
have a good day everyone xxxxx

forever enjoy the nativity that sounds emotional tissues at the ready! Enjoy!!

tanniss are you still with us? There are quiet seats at the back if you are feeling a bit shy although there could be a squid on the loose up that end of the bus...
blesses what a lovely post and how wonderful that your wee one has come so far. Our lovely mouse can empathise with you as her son nemo has had lots of health problems and we are his bus aunties cheering him on.
It is grey and windy here in the outer hebrides and there were only 10 of us on the early flight. I don't really like flying so landing at Stornoway in the wind, skimming in over the water was a bit bottom clenching! I've done a bit of pootling round so will post some pics. am now at hotel thawing out and i feel a nap in my near future....

I am. I'm afraid of squid though, every time I go sea swimming I think one is going to pull me down . Maybe I'd better sit further up

2nd eveningtrying not to drink. Bad time of year for it but I need to stop. I want to stop.

Barrie is harmless unless being wielded unsympathetically by one of the Babes. Did you manage to be AF last night?

some island photos for you all.

Beautiful photos!

Yes. I can sometimes do a night or two and I've done a month now and then some time ago but I always fall back into drinking way too much :( I need to give it up and it seems impossible.

Foreverbee I think I might have something in my eye (wipes away surreptitious tear). My DD had a heart operation age 3 but a tiny one (stent to close a hole) and I was utterly feeble about it so cannot imagine what you went through, but I can imagine your utter joy at the nativity and I am thrilled for you. Go, take your tissues and don't be ashamed of having a cry. I might even have one along with you! Now mine are teenagers I miss that so much. I've lost both my parents and have no siblings, OH and the in-laws are hardly a joy, and for me Christmas WAS school nativities and crappy Christmas fairs. I miss all that. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy !!!

Tannis - 'every time I go sea swimming' You badass, love how you casually dropped that in. I would be terrified of sea swimming. Though not scared of squid which seems a waste as I won't often encounter them on land unless one of you hits me with Barrie

Spanna loved your luna yarn, and Ma love your pics - that place looks magical (but cold). Your life is very glamorous and interesting at the moment and I could not be happier for you as nobody deserves it more. Though know what you mean about the disconnect. A colleague recently showed me a house she was buying and it cost £1.5 million, It is virtually a stately home. Ah well, good luck to her ... am not really envious of possessions and also it's in the middle of nowhere and I couldn't handle that as always on the verge of running away somewhere or other! A single day of working from home today has driven me mad.

Dutch well done on forgetting the wine. I would only forget wine after a blow to the head. That sounds like a real breakthrough.

Ginger how are you doing? How's the OH situation? Are you AF today?

Mouse lovely to see you lady but sorry you are so ill. Big hugs to you and Nemo. Is the little man looking forward to Christmas? [santa]

I'm not drinking at the moment but Xmas socialising is looming large, and am massively under stress at work for the next 3 weeks with deadlines which is an awful situation for me wine-wise. Have stopped drinking at home (because it just gets destructive) and am spending spare time at the gym but no matter how much progress I make I am always aware that I'm never far away from square one again after a binge.

Also went to have health test today as registered with new GP and the good news is I am under 10 stone for the first time in about 3 years (OK so I'm 9 stone 13 and 3/4 but it's still under) but the bad news is my blood pressure is up. WHY?? I'm not drinking, am exercising like a demon, eating better and yet getting less healthy.

Trying not to press the 'fuck it' button health wise!

Hope you are all having a decent evening. It's freezing here and WB is being a grumpy twunt again and my boxing lesson has been cancelled just when I really need to punch something! So going to eat dinner then off for a bath and bed. Sorry for anyone I haven't name checked but thinking of you all xxx

under 10 stone!! Dear God, If I could get under 12 I would be happy. mind you as I do no exercise whatsoever, and today have eaten an entire box of maltesers and had a cheeseburger for lunch I can hardly be puzzled as to what's causing it!!

I've lost about 4lb by doing nothing! It's the empty wine calories.

Not drinking midweek at all now and getting used to it. Did drink at the weekend but far more restrained but I didn't really want to. My next challenge is AF weekend.... Is this possible? We will see.

Ma

I've been to Lewis and Skye. Beautiful on Lewis but barren. Peat fires, no trees. Set is lovely. Don't put your bin out on a Sunday (local frowns)

Ginger

I know the shame too, but I am learning to cope with life again without a drink in my hand. It's worth a go. If you had asked me 2 months ago if I could go 5 days without a sip I'd have laughed at you and poured an extra large wine. It's nicer not drinking.

Everyone - love to read all your posts. You keep me going. Perhaps someone will teach me how to make names in bold one day!

Sending happy thoughts down the bus x

Razor boy - i need teaching how to bold too!!!!

So, here I am at the back of the bus, but I have to get off for a while, (sigh)

I have been AF now for 15 days. But here's the thing.

My son, has bought me my Christmas present

It is a half bottle of champagne given to me every other day now till Christmas Eve. Beautifully boxed and wrapped, all different brands, given to me on the mornings when I go and check on his wellness.

I can't not drink them as I will have 10 bottles in my kitchen by Christmas, ( I've had 2) and he has gone to so much trouble to buy them for me.

So, off this fabulous bus I get, drink it every other day and see you after Christmas.

Hope every one else is okish, doing whats best for them and
MsHoolies, been thinking of you

sofaking you can still come along for the ride, just don't tempt us with champagne cork popping noises!

looking could you possibly be a tiny wee bit stressed can't imagine which WB mightbe adding to that When your deadlines are over find a quiet warm cave to escape to, or just hop onboard the bus and put your feet up.

ma envious of you being in the Western Isles until you have to fly in the storms tomorrow

For those who want to make something BOLD just put an asterisk * immediately before and after the word or phrase you want in bold. No space between the asterisk and the first letter, or between the last letter and the asterisk.

testing, venus, I shall look a nit if this goes wrong

YAY - (hic!!!)

Okay it's join this bus! Over dissapointing my husband & kids saying I promise only 2 drinks, I'll never get drunk again (prob up this this promise 1000 times now) only to wake up not remembering the night before except knowing we had a fight. I went to my first AA meeting this morning

Welcome trying. I am still pretty new buts it's been very welcoming here.

How was the meeting? I've toyed with meetings of some sort. I do think I need to do something. In the last 24 hours I have had two alcohol invites (including work do with free bottle of wine.... thanks.... ) it's really hard when there are constant triggers!!

Day 33 af.

Fuck me but it's windy here.....sideways rain to add to the fun. If I don't make it back then it's been nice knowing you all...

Venus always stressed babe, but don't think that is at the heart of my BP issues. But then medical tests always make me paranoid... the older I get the more I become a hypochondriac. And drink drives away stress short term but then creates more stress and anxiety worrying about liver disease and whether I said or did anything embarrassing

Razor well done. Wish I could lose weight that easily. I literally have to fight off every ounce! Then I take a day off and it's back. Fat is the only thing that finds me attractive

Sofa your son sounds a sweetie. Saywheñ congrats on day 33.

Trying welcome to the bus. Grab a seat and make yourself at home.

Off to a work lunch in a few mins. No idea if there will be wine. Hoping not but sort of hoping there will be too IYSWIM.

Anyway tying a guy rope to Ma's ankle and looping it round the bus bumper. Can you all make sure she doesn't fly off while I am out?

It was daunting and scary and I cried when welcomed as a new comer but I could relate to there stories. I think this will help me

tryingtobeabettermum brave move to go to a meeting, very proud of you

LookingforHope was there wine at lunch? Afternoon drinks are my biggest downfall, I love a 'Mediterranean meal!'

LookingforHope what a lovely difficult gift! Stay on the bus, it will help when the last bottle is gone

ma hope the sideways rain has cleared!

Having an AF day after a very merry Christmas party last night. Although it felt lovely to enjoy a drink like a normal person (no guzzling, no broken anxious sleep), I'm thinking about being AF at the next party on Saturday. Partly to give myself the challenge and partly to 'pay back' drinking on a weeknight. We'll see.

Dutch yes there was wine but only a small glass and then coffee. Was so sober I made the gym after work and spent a happy 45 minutes lifting weights to music because that is how I am determined to roll for another week before it all gets nasty with the Christmas party marathon. Admire you for attempting (or contemplating attempting) an AF party. I don't know that I can in December.

LookingforHope well maybe it won't happen. I want to be happy being sober, not make it deliberately miserable

Very impressed that you made it to the gym after wine being available with lunch. Hats off to you, I hope you gave yourself lots of back pats for a day like that