Brave Babes Battle Bus: Next Stop Fabulous February

[SweetLathyrus]

Hi, I'm SweetLathyrus, Sweet for short, and I've been on and off Gerald the Brave Babes Battle Bus since 2014. Over the years, lots of us have maintained the thread, most of all the lovely Mouse, who has been here since the early days, and still scurries onboard when she can.

The bus is a place of support, safety and occasional silliness for those of us struggling with our relationship with alcohol. Some of us are sober, some are trying to be, some are moderating and aren't ready to give up alcohol just yet.

So whatever your reason for questioning the whys and WTFs of your drinking, hop on board, make yourselves comfortable and join in. Driers and Triers, all welcome.

2018 has been a busy year so far, lots of new travellers as well as old faces; if you want to read back on the journey through Dry or Dryer January so far, here's the link to the last thread

And in case you want to know how it all started, here is the link to JWN's original, inspiring thread.

Join us on our journey, you won't regret it.

Hello all the babes and and other assorted animals.

It's still snowy here and my boozy weekend away is in serious jeopardy as a result. I am secretly a little relieved. I wanted to see this group of friends (we have been friends for 36 years) as we only get all together 2/3 times a year at most. However, they are a very boozy crowd and there would be no moderation.

My boiler is on it's last legs, I am keeping it going with willpower and fear.

Usual work bollocks.

Congratulations sweet on being nominated by your students, how much did you pay them? Seriously, well done.

ma My cat is refusing to do his business outside and keeps using his "night time" litter tray in day time but I can't be cross with him. He is soooo beautiful.

twatbear So glad your dad is doing better. Safe journey to the coast. It's icy out there.

Stay warm and safe everyone.

lux - agree with all your comments about wine. I don't know what it is about it but it seems to set people off in a way that other drinks don't.

get what you mean - it's tricky when that happens. I have 1 or 2 v specific friends who always drink loads and it leads me down that path. Equally I have quite a lot that don't drink much.

I am currently pondering whether it is sensible to drive to the coast - we need to get to Dorset. x

Twattage I'm in Hants. About 2 hours ago I'd have said go for it, the M3 and M27 were or around Winchester, but it's been (and is) pretty heavy around here, and I know it's predicted worse for Dorset.

*Rothbury, stay warm, our boilers making funny noises, I think they're sentient and know when its inconvenient! As for the students, - it cost me a fortune in Heroes and Haribo

Aftersomeadvice I would say that as your DH has approached you, he's ready to try to change. I would ask him what sort of help he wants. I don't think drawing on the bottles will help, but putting them out of sight might.

Thank you for your help - I’ve had a bit of time to think so will sit down again with him tonight and ask what he wants to do, I feel if he can take the lead on stopping it would be better than me telling him what to do. I think you’re right about it being a habit to start with, he stopped smoking and moved onto alcohol as a replacement as I see it.

I don’t want to have to watch over him all the time, but am certainly prepared to encourage him, distract him and cheer him up when it gets tough. If it’s ok, I’ll pop in here for more advice occasionally.

I know it's early in pg 40, but I need to go and do some work, so just in case, here's the link to the new thread:

new thread

If I'm not back, usual rules apply, no babe left behind, fill up this thread before you bag a seat on the new one.

Oh and if you find yourself posting message 999, don't forget to include the link.

I wouldn't try to drive to Dorset tonight to be honest. I was due to drive that way from Brighton and we have all decided to cancel as it's just too much of a risk.

Can you stay in London and see what it's like in the morning?

aftersomeadvice I have no idea whether your DH is alcoholic or not, but even if he isn't, you would probably get some really good advice, just for you, from al-anon. They support families and partners of people who have issues with alcohol.

You might not feel like you need that kind of support yet but if you do, I hear they are very helpful.

Lots of messages around here about people abandoning trying to get home from Southampton. Stay warm and safe wherever you are.

After I agree with everything the other Babes have said. I also don't think you should try to 'take control' by marking bottles, getting rid etc. Let DH take the lead. I'm a lager/gin drinker but lager is what I have a bit of a problem with. I've had half a bottle of gin in the cupboard for weeks now and not touched it. With lager I can never have that self control. I can't have it in the house without drinking it. I think what I'm trying to say is we're all different. What Lux said about mentioning positives that aren't directly about drinking is a good idea too.

Sweet That's good news about work. It's nice to have a bit of recognition.

Twattage I wouldn't be trying to get to Dorset tonight if it's not essential. I'd wait and see what the weather does first.

So today is day 59 (I think). I was a bit stressed this morning. My pipes have frozen - well the drainpipe outside has so no water would drain from the bath/shower or sink upstairs. Then my car wouldn't start so I was late getting DS to school and I've had to get on a bus. I haven't been on a bus out of necessity for about 10 years. Couldn't believe the price. Fortunately, the pipes are now fixed/wrapped up warm and my cars going again. At least it didn't happen yesterday when I had to get to work.

I am sick to death of this sodding snow. It has snowed ALL day, driven by a fierce wind. We have whiteout conditions and I'm sure another day trapped in the house tomorrow. Not unusual to have snow up here but the low temps and the wind are making this something very out of the ordinary. the flat is freezing as we have an ancient and shit central heating system,so have been in bed most of the day. It's actually getting a wee bit scary....

Ma being cold would be getting me down too.I think I'd be contemplating building an igloo . Have you got any good boxsets queued up, or are you bored with tv?

Aw Ma sorry for you and all the other babes caught in the red zone. Bad enough here and we only have a few inches (though it is FREEZING and very windy). I am going to work from home again tomorrow as I have all week. It is quite boring but so lovely to have the house to myself without WB in it. I have sneaked over to the other thread to stock up the bus with hot chocolate and goodies, plus warm hats and scarves. Also popped the snow tyres on. Stay warm and safe tonight ladies.

Hope I'm only allowing it because you've brought the hot chocolate . I'm glad you're able to enjoy the quiet.

Well the snow brought with it a miracle. DS's friends called him this morning and asked if it was ok to come over, so he went into mad tidy-panic mode. My little boy has standards !

DH and I will both be working from home tomorrow, full house!

Oh bugger, I just noticed the typo in the new thread title!

Can I be original and say God it's freezing. Early night for me, stay safe everybabe.

What typo? thicko lecturer

Typo for chocolate in title of shiny new thread. Not to worry. See you all there!

I was referring to myself there sweet not you!!!

Oh God I still can't see a typo. I need to have a lie down.....

Rothbury bloody managers and admin

I daren't admit to one of my teaching areas now

Link to new thread

Oh, I see, you were talking about yourself

'Bloody managers' stands!

I agree!!!!!!

I still can't see the typo so I will just pretend it never happened

I have reported the thread to MNHQ to see if they will edit on the basis that we are a long running thread that stays on the front page

and here's that link again

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3181829-Brave-Babes-Hygge-Battle-Bus-Snowed-in-and-Drinking-Hot-Ccocolate-instead-of-wine?watched=1

Luffs you Rothbury !