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

mshoolie my friend broke her elbow - it's apparently quite difficult to do and her doc sent her for a bone density test... just a thought.

Keep on racking up the sober days, things will settle eventually. Say yes to each and every offer of support (even / especially those you don't like the idea of). All power to your elbow! (poor attempt at humour, I know) ☺

X post mshoolie

There's a long poem I love which finishes with the line 'in acceptances lieth peace'.
That's what I see in your current posts... acceptance (not resignation or disinterest but something more willing and optimistic)

danceintherain.com/acceptance-lieth-peace/

Thanks venus

MsHooliesCardigan
Ouch! Thats some bruise. But 11 days! Think how far you've come. It's a long journey but you are taking those first steps on it. Well done to you.
Welcome Sourdoughandbagels july
I saw your thread sofa. Glad razorboy pointed you here to this thread. Also Mirrormirrorotw You can laugh, cry, whinge here and nobody will hook their judgy pants at you. We can hold your hand, laugh with you, listen to you and give you a good luck up the bum if you need it.
Lux Do you remember I told you that I ordered two Bomb Cosmetics advent calendars? I wanted them in the run up to the C word. Bastards haven't even sent them as they forgot to mention that they were out of stock.
Ma my lovely, how are you doing?
Waves frantically at Spanna Venus guggenheim Elba Dutch Doris Herman and anyone else I've missed on the shout out.
Saywhen I'm using the Dry January app to track my progress. It's more 👍than 👎at the moment but December is approaching which worries me. I'm pretty full on every weekend until after New Year. It's going to be tough. I have looked at AF fizz so will probably stock up for the main days. The trouble is DP encourages me to drink to justify his drinking, but then is horrible to me the next day if I've got drunk 😕 Can't win sometimes can you.

That should be good kick. A good luck up the bum sounds a bit pervy!

I really wish that someone could have filmed me in the 136 suite in hospital pyjamas, crawling round on the floor shaking uncontrollably, dripping with sweat, retching constantly (not actually vomiting because there was nothing to bring up) and crying for my mum. And then play that video every time I fancy a nice cold glass of white wine or a G&T

Morning All

Sofa my heart goes out to you you're in a really tough place and life must be unbearable at times. I suppose the positives are that the fact that you DS is clean at the moment - does he have access to a counselling service from the mental health team? Is your GP aware of everything that's in your lap at the moment?
I really don't think those ladies on that thread were helpful AT ALL Anyhow you're here now and we will wrap you in mohair blankets and look after you, worry not
With regards to the business that sounds really tough and almost impossible. Could you sell the business? so that you can get away from having to see XH daily? or re-train and change career so that you can escape from the daily trudge that you have to deal with at work? All of these suggestions I'm sure you've thought of - sorry if I'm stating the obvious!! Keep posting Babe x

Hoolies fuck that bruise is bad - I really hope that you get that seen to today 11 Days AF is brilliant - the scene that you describe of crawling round the floor is imprinted in your memory, you almost don't need a film of it - as your conscious can recall the vision in a heartbeat - that is an incentive if ever there was one. Stick with us babe you are doing so well

Mirror I'm sorry but I'm nowhere near you either we're all here to support you - if you want to PM (private message) me you are most welcome, if I can help, I will x

Guggs good to see you babe. Happy Friday to you, I hope you've got loveliness planned for the weekend x

Mint most of the AF fizz I've tried a too sweet for me!! I'm planning to get a bottle of Seedlip Garden (found it on Tescos website) I think Ruby recommended it a few threads back - sounds like a good alternative for G&T. I think they also do a festive one too
Oh lambs, don't you just love 'em x

I've gone on 'washing up strike' with DD2, we're now on Day 3 and the pile is high in her bedroom - I am determined not to give in, it's hard as it's festering in there and we're running out of glasses So not up there with world problems just annoying domestic shit.

Lux you poor thing - have you been to your quack about your cold/flu? maybe you need something stronger than you're taking? Wishing you a speedy recovery x

I've got a list as long as my arm (day off) but I just want some 'me' time (never get much) I'm still in my PJs. I get Martin Lewis' email each week, love him. I've spent some time over the past few weeks wracking my brains for banks, building societies, mortgages I've had in the past and sending off PPI, CPP etc online claim complaints - just to see if they owe me any money. Just been offered £223 from a bank - under Plevin ruling - should have been £1000s but when I put in a complaint a few years ago, I didn't read the letter properly and should have responded within 6 months - and didn't, so when I approach them again a few months ago they said 'no'
If any of you have some time to kill - it's well worth looking into, you could be owed money x

Really touching poem Venus . Hello to everyone especially thinking of those struggling at !moment, sorry can't name check as on phone and the toddler is already playing up!

Day 50 today. A drop in the ocean for some of you (no pun intended) but longest time AF in last 15 years (except for pregnancy which wasn't totally af but mind too fragile to deal with that minefield at moment)

Good afternoon. Bleurgh. This cold is awful . Still, looking on the bright side - I should be over the worst for the weekend. I usually reserve illness for weekends and holidays. And I would have usually flipped my 'fuck it' switch and downed wine last night. If you're going to be ill, may as well be really ill, eh?! So I would normally have been full of cold AND hungover today. But I didn't so I'm not . 'Tis a bit of a novelty!

That is an awful bruise MsHoolie . I hope you can get it sorted. You are doing so well even if you don't feel like it. You are .

Sofa it all sounds very hard for you. You have so much to deal with and a lot of pressure on you .

spanna the Seedlip Garden is DELICIOUS! I've gone through a bottle already. It tastes like the description - sort of grass/hay/herbs and peapods. Which sounds grim but is really lovely with tonic, ice, lime and fresh mint . It's a proper, grown up AF drink. I've got another bottle if it but might try the Seedlip Spice too. Do you work with Oldies? I do too. I love it . But not as much as I would enjoy Mint's job

Mirror I hope you are OK? I am nowhere near you either. But keep posting. Even if you need to be vague about things it might help?

When I was AF for most of 2015 I ordered from here www.alcoholfree.co.uk/all_drinks.php?osCsid=3181ceea8b9432c011617358af9faec8. They have a good selection of AF wine. The whites are particularly good. Reds not so much. They do have a minimum order of 6 bottles but it's worth it over Christmas etc. Or you can go to the shop in Manchester.

Hi lovely babes. Sofa I’m sorry that you got a hard time on that other thread. Unfortunately MN is not always a kind place but this bus is the right place to be. We all beat ourselves up enough without needing other people to pile on. I did exactly the same as you, I used wine to cope with all the shit that life threw at me. Someone said to me on a thread about dealing with relationship breakdown that “wine is not your friend” and it is so true.
It’s now just over 2 months since I first got on the bus. I am still moderating. I’ve not managed to keep to my original plan to completely cut out drinking at home. But I have gone from drinking every night to 3-4 nights a week. I’m still finding it hard, and I’m drinking AF booze substitutes every night.
I don’t think it’s going to be easy for me anytime soon. Its Friday night and I don’t have any reason to drink. I’m at home with the kids and tomorrow I’m going away for a few days and I know I’ll be drinking for the next 4 nights. So my sensible head wants to be AF tonight, and my non-sensible head is saying “but you’ve had 4 AF nights in a row, it’s fine to have a drink”.
Whoever said that it’s good to have the decision taken away from you was right. It’s so exhausting and pointless arguing with myself about it.

Hi all - quick question - has anyone tried any of those herbal remedies that are supposed to take away your craving for a drink? I'm tempted to try....

Hello lovely babes, stay strong and be brave tell the WW to do one.

doris I haven't tried them and have no idea how they work but I do know that the placbo effect works for me. I often get through the witching hour by telling myself that the soft drink in the wine glass really is wine. Then I forget all about it.
Much of drinking is about the ritual rather than the need so it's easy to carry out the ritual without the booze. I know that some babes have been to the dr and use a medication which suppresses the want to have a drink thing.

I was pleased to see that the c word is being mentioned, it's a hard time of year for anyone who likes a drink or three. Just wanted to mention that if you are in any doubt about your ability to stay on the mineral water at an office do, then don't go. Develop a terrible headache or d&v and give it a miss.

I've cocked up at many a Christmas do and in retrospect I wish I'd just not gone. I hope it wouldn't happen now but I suspect it would.

Much love to babes who are struggling or covered in bruises (inc emotional ones ) love to the oldies on the bus : )

Oh and I'm going to do another boredom busting list over the weekend and my new keep busy activity is pissing about on instagram. Definitely need a clear head for that.

Hi @julygal I’m new here too - AF day 12 for me, after 8ish years of a half bottle a night (at least 😳). Nice glass of cold plain tonic water in front of me now. I’m finding if I can make it past 7.30 the rest of the evening is easier. Hope everyone else is doing ok this evening / so many of you have such a hard fight to fight 😕

ooooo Herman thank you for that link, they've got loads of yumminess on there Margie take a look the Mojitos etc are all from Spain! I wonder if you can source the supplier, could be good for your girlie weekend, nes pas? I'm going back for another gander.....

Mojito Sin....sounds like a goodie Sin with no alcohol, perfect!

You're welcome spanna . The Seed lip Garden is excellent though. I've got some of the small pre mixed cocktails in my fridge. Some of them are out of stock at moment I think but they are really good . You need lots and lots of crushed ice as per the instructions as they are very concentrated. If you have a fancy pants martini glass like with I do, you can get two drinks from one can .

My Seedlip, tonic and lime . This tonic is really good. A bit spendy but MUCH less than what I would spend on wine, let's be honest. Not too fizzy and burpy making .

Herman what makes that tonic I can't see it properly in piccy what a lovely collection of goodies. Yum!!!!
Hope everyone is ok

Oops sorry spanna It's 1724 tonic. Merchant's Heart is good too. I've not tried this pink peppercorn yet but the floral and plain are excellent. I order the 1724 from Amazon and the Merchant's from Ocado. Neither are too fizzy which I find is a problem with the usual AF drinks when you are used to drinking wine or straight spirits.

Hey, tis me again.
My internet has been down tonight and I couldn't return till now to say a massive thank you to everyone who has been so kind and understanding to me.
What a wonderful bunch of gals you all are. (massive presumption that there are no gents here???)

I have been without the wine tonight.. its a start anyway and see how long I can last for. But alas, I did miss that ritual, and the first 'glug'

I am going to sit at the back of the bus now listening to the comforting chatter, wrapped in my mohair.

Goodnight ,

www.brighteyecounselling.co.uk/alcoholic-forum/
This is a website I’ve found really helpful in the past although it is a bit Netmums in terms of tickers which can be a bit annoying.
One thing that is really good is the sobriety challenge part - you start off trying to do a week and there are loads of others in the boat and at the same part of their journey
The idea is that you than graduate onto the 2 week challenge, 3 week challenge all the way to a year.
There are some people who have been trying for years to get past week one and others who have been sober for many years.
I went back to A&E and have now been admitted waiting for surgery on my elbow tomorrow which I was surprised at (although obviously pleased) as I didn’t think they did non emergency at weekends.
I am supposed to spend my whole night with my arm in this contraption to keep it elevated. I just don’t see how that’s going to work

Night night Sofa. Sleep tight .

Umm. Is it attached to a drip stand there MsHoolie? If it is then pull it up to the bed and get pillows underneath for support (If you can get them). Would that work? It's what I did for DP when he severed an artery in his arm.

spanna sweetheart, you never fail to pull me out of lurkdome. I am both happy and sad to be part of your journey, happy to have been helpful to you in the early days and sad that I didn’t get the same lightbulb moment to keep me on the straight and narrow. I can do little stints of abstinence and then fall back into the sidecar which attaches like Velcro and I am on a bottle a night again. But, despite my hamster wheel experiences, I am so proud and happy when I read how you have changed your life. You will always be one of my favourite internet friends ✨

Ma I love that you are always here, you may not be the longest sober but you are the fabric of the bus and the fact that despite not being af, you show up, share and support. It wouldn’t be the same without you.

Now comes the difficult bit of who to mention and who I may inadvertently overlook. I am terrible with names in real life let alone on here but I take strength from you, laugh with you, worry with you and steal the odd opal fruit. (Even green ones) namechecking all babes, present and past am currently in the sidecar but warming up to seat on the bus 🚌 xxx (again)

What a lovely post beaches I'm a fellow hamster wheeler 🐹 And that's ok. I've managed three and a half months af this year but it hasn't been in one stretch. The 'I've done drinking app' keeps calculating the seconds so you keep moving forwards even if it's just in tiny amounts.

Wtf is a helga???? Whatever it is I want one. What does it do? Where do you get them?

misshoolie thank you that's a great tip. I think the apps and forums have just as big an impact as more formal real life groups but are much more accessible. Your poor arm! It's look dangerously swollen. Hope it's a little better today.