Brave Babes (Hygge) Battle Bus: Snowed in and Drinking Hot Chocolate instead of wine

[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 Jan and Feb 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

We've donned the snow chains, topped up the antifreeze, and turned the heaters up to loud, so even though it's cold outside, our welcome is always warm, so hop on and join us.

Mouse I hate sickness bugs with a passion. Hope you improve soon. It all sounds really hard. I'm not surprised it's affecting you mentally.

Twattage Hope your Dad is ok. At least you can drive over if needed without the horror of a hangover to contend with. I think I'm creating a lot of the problem with telling people about not drinking/smoking. In reality they're unlikely to care. I wish I didn't!

Venus I love waking up hangover free! So far today I've hoovered (my neighbour's v.old and v.deaf), packed a bit more and planted some seeds with DS in the garden. We did parnips and poppies today. When we come back I plan to do the sunflowers and pumpkins.

We're going to the library and to buy a carrot shortly. DS was devastated to find we had no carrot for breakfast earlier

Thank you baking - he appears to be fine other than that he keeps getting these massive nosebleeds and therefore has to go back to A&E. They won't let him stop taking this blood thinning drug until he's 12 months past the last stent (Jan).

As you say, I am fine to drive - about a month ago we had to get taxis to and from A&E but now I am clear-headed. Feels much better.

rothbury - if you are around, I hope you are okay? xxx

Hi all, trying to cut down and scared that dh and I are heading towards a slippery slope.
We are blotchy as anything, and don’t look healthy. The broken veins are showing.
Congrats to all on the thread who have stayed off the booze, or trying to.
Please can you tell me how long it took to look healthy again after cutting down on the drink, or cutting out altogether?
What do you do now that you didn’t do while drinking?
I’m trying to cut down, but we just get comfy on the couch of an evening, we don’t even have a bath like we used to.
Looking old now 😪

We have a bath the day after though, it’s just like not having a bath is an extra couple of beers iyswim.

Hope I’m ok to join the thread?

Welcome crumbs - of course you can join! No-one in is in charge per se!

I would say probably a month to get rid of most of the redness but you'll notice a difference in two weeks. Even after one day you'll feel less bloated.

Depending on how bad it is, you can have your veins zapped with a laser for around £80 a pop. Easy to afford if you save up the cash you were spending on booze. x

Thank you @Twattage. I think I’ll start saving then.
It’s just trying to convince dh to cut down/stop as well.

The other day, I noticed suddenly how blotchy and tired he looked.
Then I looked in the mirror.....

Thanks, I’m looking forward to looking less blotchy, and looking less bloated....

Just checking in. It's been completely crazy here with work. My days are mainly filled with these.

@MintToBee, awww how gorgeous! How many do you have?

That,to me, would be a very welcome distraction from alcohol.

Speaking of distractions, I need to dig out my sewing machine.

crumbs sorry you asked about things to do - if you're stuck for ideas, I would make a list of all the things that need doing around the house that you can do yourself and that you've abandoned due to boozing.

I went crazy on the decluttering for the best part of a year when I stopped wine. I love cooking, I try to cook something new every weekend. I also started running.

xxx

Thanks @Twattage, well done with the running and cooking. I used to do a lot from scratch, but that seems to have gone out of the window in favour of convenience stuff, mostly, or takeaways.

Although, to be fair, dh cooked a steak last night, a lovely tea it was. With a bottle of red wine between us. Followed by beer.

When I drink, I cannot sleep that same night, so really tired today.
We are going out with friends later, thinking of alternating with soft drinks. I think somebody mentioned lime and soda on the thread earlier. I’m trying that x

Ah crumbs yes I'm afraid many things go out the window when prioritise drinking over most of the rest of life!

Agree on the sleep...sleep is much better when sober (although it may not come immediately).

Love lime and sober, also fizzy water with a slice of lime is lovely (having one now). x

It’s a great feeling cooking from scratch, isn’t it. The end result is worth it, and it must feel the same with your running , that’s great @Twattage.

I am by no means a running expert - I just do the odd 5k. I think there are some longer distance people than me on here. Not that I've been since Jan, I've been on hols for 4 weeks or so on and off so just restarting tomorrow!

I have however just cooked a massive cajun prawn and chicken pasta for lunch...absolutely nommers.

Looking forward to a great nights sleep. When it happens.

Luckily, I’ve got a good excuse not to drink too much later, as I’m meeting up with my niece and sister tomorrow morning, a nice breakfast before my niece has her baby by c section on Monday.

I will have the choice to either walk, or drive if I’m careful with what I drink tonight. I’d rather walk though, weather permitting.
Sick of this cold weather....

5k is a pretty decent run @Twattery.
I love the sound of your lunch. Sounds fab. And very healthy 🙂

Hey all,
Mouse it's great to hear from you but gosh you go through it don't you lovely?

Welcome Crumbs it didn't take very long for me to look better - sleep improved after around a week, I made a point of better skincare and handcream and drinking lots of water. We drink a lot of sugar in the wine/alcohol don't we which I'm convinced wrecks the skin.

Hi to everybabe, sorry I'm not posting much I'm busy with working and feeling very fed-up with Winter now, I'm so happy the clocks are changing and hopefully I'll feel a bit happier soon. I'm still drinking very moderately but as long as I steer clear of the wicked wine I'm OK.

I am going out tonight, this is rare at the moment! I'm not bothered about drinking - there will be lots of food and I'm happy to stay dry.

I am also really happy to be honest with people in a breezy way
'Don't you like wine?'
'Oh yes I love it, but it's not too fond of me'

'You don't drink'?
'Sure, sometimes but not tonight, I know I'll go a bit mad so easier not to'

Perhaps it's getting older that makes me not care and my peers are more mature so don't push it. Whatever, I'm a woman in control!

Have a great evening all, keep hydrated, keep busy and keep on keeping on x

Final check-in at the end of day 35 - lux that is exactly the way I deal with it and no-one takes any notice. I quite often tell people I don't have an off button so it's best we don't go there.

I also no longer care.

Night all - am in bed with tea. Absolutely shattered again today. Been living on fumes for the last few weeks. Time for a reboot. xxx

Morning - day 36 dawns. Still feeling shattered. Not sure if I'm going to go for a run or take it easy this morning. I will be down at the coast from Wednesday evening for almost a week so may restart when I've had a bit more sleep. x

morning all. just checking in. things not good on many fronts. Thank God for work and a chance to escape. Such a relief to see the sun shiniing today. Might make a start on the garden before the next round of snow....
Threats of divorce (from me) and resistance (from him) bringing their own dark clouds...

and 🔆 (sunshine) for ma
I managed to find a little spot in the sun and out of the wind, I almost believe that spring is round the corner.

Sorry to hear that, Ma

my reward for starting on the garden was attempting to move a pile of leaves and finding this prickly visitot fast asleep! Thank goodness I wasn't using the fork or it could have been nasty. have tucked him in and left him snoozing.

Hi everyone, checking in with you. Hope you are all well.

I'm doing well, by my own standards. Kept AF for nearly 2 weeks, then made the decision to have one gin and slimline with a friend who was treating me to lunch. She had just started at Weight Watchers so whereas in the past we'd probably have then moved on to wine, that was it - one G&T each.

Last night DH and I visited friends - again, a bit awkward to refuse a drink, so DH had one beer which I could tell he made last a good long time, then I had 2 medium glasses of red wine - nothing like the large glasses I'd sink at home, and only 2 glasses all night.

By my standards that is a result!

This is hard work though. Moderating just does not come easy. I can't honestly say I want to be totally AF. I just love the clear headed mornings, I have lost weight and what was killing me with the binges was the feelings of guilt and shame at how silly I'd been acting the night before.

In the past I have sent silly emails and texts whilst under the influence - I seem to have been able to avoid that nonsense lately - but it is always a possibility. I think when I'm drunk I'm the wittiest, funniest person on earth....embarrassing.

So I'm keeping on keeping on, it's all I can do. A fortnight since my last episode.

Lovely to hear your positive stories on here, it is so helpful and inspiring.

Sending love to all ! Will keep in touch!

Evening all (almost evening.

ma - sending a large hug.

venus - spring is here I think. I've just been out and mowed and strimmed the London lawn. It was warm enough to have a little sit on the decking even without sun (if only next door's brats were not screaming FFS).

red - well done. I know what you mean - moderating is v hard. I can only think of managing it on beer. Keep on going!

I've had a ridiculously productive day, which reminds me of what I am like when I don't drink on Sat evening! It has been a while...

Decided not to run as was still feeling a bit tired, so instead went to the farm shop, cooked a massive moussaka from scratch. Then the parentals came round (daddy much better, has appointment with the ENT bit of the hospital tomorrow) so I invited them for lunch. We sorted out the coastal garden and dead-headed all the roses (long-overdue), then I drove back to London (usually the husband does it but he decided to share a bottle of wine with my dad over lunch).

Got in, sorted out all of my business financials for my ltd company: pension, salary, dividend, corporation tax - all the end of tax year stuff has to be paid this week. Then went out in the garden and have just mowed and strimmed the lawn, put down a bit of weedkiller on the v few weeds I allow to raise their heads, and brushed all the patio and decking.

I think that might be enough for today!

Almost the end of day 36. Am in bed with cat and fizzy water - going to have a read of the Sunday paper, jump in the shower and will probs be passed out by 9.

Really enjoying a non-anxious weekend.

xxx