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.

Morning all babes.

Amazing deep sleep last night - good job I put the alarm on. Just a quick one - still on track, feeling much better. Am client-side the next 3 days so this week is going to whizz by. I have the final person in my team starting Thursday and I've had my contract renewed until end of Sept, so I know what's what for the next few months.

Love to all babes...another beautiful morning. Am off to go sit in the garden for 10 mins. xxx

Have a great week twattage glad you're feeling so well

I have had a really restful night too and feel great and full of achievement, so much better than Sunday! I love that phrase 'stealing happiness from tomorrow'.

The sun is streaming in and we're all up in good time. That's about all I can ask because mornings can be difficult with one of my dcs.

Have a good day everyone.

Hope I'm shit at lawn mowing but I'd happily accompany some stroppy teens to see Ed Sheeran!

Twattage I'd be livid if someone left my house wide open. There wouldn't be any positive feedback coming from me either.

The warm weather is making me want gin & fags. I won't be having either. I'm working now anyway so that serves as a distraction. I haven't been sitting outside as much this last week because it makes me feel I'm missing something. I'm sleeping well though. Hope everyone else is good.

Afternoon babes! Nice to see everyone is getting decent sleep, I am too, amazing how much alcohol has an effect on sleep patterns.

I’m trying to take better care of myself overall, eating better, exercising, moisturising and pampering, it’s going ok and distracting me from booze cravings. Also I want to drive my new car - bf bought me a VW beetle and it is beautiful but I can’t drive it until it’s been MOT-ed at the weekend 😭.

Hope everyone is managing to avoid the wine witch and achieve their goals 🤗 xx

Evening all - just got home from client. Am shattered. About to shower, tea and bed.

duchess - I also have a VW beetle but mine was bought for me by husband 1 a v long time ago from new. It's 15 years old now but still going fabulously - one careful lady driver! I love them. I went to see last year about buying a new one but TBH I can't justify the cost at the mo. Lucky you - your bf sounds like a keeper :).

baking - you are correct. I think the leaving of the door wide open is unforgivable so I left him a negative feedback last night. I blocked him on my phone first as thought he'd probably go mad otherwise. But it was deserved. I just calmly stated the facts without opinion, said I thought he needed to pay more attention to detail, and I wouldn't use him again.

This sleep is amazing isn't it? Am looking forward to another big snooze tonight :).

xxx

Morning babes. I too am getting some good sleep and feeling good.
Doing lots of exercise. It’s zumba tonight! It feels like most people posting at the moment are on good form.
If there are any lurkers who are struggling or not doing so good then I hope you know we will all be here to support you.
Have a good day babes

Morning. At Solicitor waiting to discuss divorce issues and get a letter saying I am separated for DS’s student finance evidence. Am nervous and th solicitor is late. Unprofessional. It is so depressing in here. Thank God I don’t have a hangover I suppose but can see how this malarkey drives people to drink

Looking I hope you got things sorted today?

I’m going through divorce as well Looking - thought mine was an easy case and it would be over by now... nearly a year later I’m still waiting 🙄

Hi babes, I’m having a little wobble today. Think it’s because I’m bored of work and general weekday drudgery and my day off on Friday is dependant on the whim of the guys delivering my new freezer. Hope you all had a good hump day x

Hi Duchess yes boredom and drudgery leads to thinking about drinking. Totally agree. Why is it that if you have a drink you are suddenly not bored? Rather than just sitting we would now be sitting with a drink? It’s quite bizarre when you think about it. Are there any hobbies or other stuff you can do? I’m really finding exercise to be a saviour at the moment.

G'aaagh just wrote a long post replying to Duchess and Trust and lost it . I am going to bed. I will update tomorrow

Morning all. Sun's out and it's 5 months since I've had a drink!!!
Things have changed lots in the last few weeks. Some for the better. I'm just going backwards on the thread to catch up at work with you all.

I’m not doing very well today ladies. I’ve been feeling “off” for a couple of days, but last night had the most awful dream. I feel silly typing it out but it was like my brain came up with everything it possibly could to hurt me. Basically all the bad things in my life were laid out in a document, including my childhood sexual abuse at 12, being raped at 17 by a much older bf, the shit my soon give exH put me through shagging someone who then became my friend after their affair began (?!) and his attempts to cheat on me with whoever would have him in the many years following (I had no idea until June 2017)... All the while I was trying to protest saying it wasn’t my fault those things happened but no one would believe me, they kept calling me a crazy bitch and then my Dad who I’m NC with appeared and told me in no uncertain terms it was all my fault

I know it sounds insane, like a scene from a terrible movie or hollyoaks or some shit but that’s what I dreamed and I woke up sobbing. Because that is how I feel. I feel like it’s all my fault.

Now it’s just gone 12 and I’m a bit drunk and I hate myself entirely.

Aw duchess - sending a large hug. Please don't hate yourself.

Sorry I've not been around much this week, been massively busy at work and also had a night in the sidecar so not much to say.

Escaped to the coast last night with the cat and the husband. Am having a quiet weekend - sidecar tomorrow evening - but other than that sober as I want to get two runs in tomorrow and Monday. I also finally broke through my yo-yoing of up and down the same 3 pounds, a further half off this week. I now need to consolidate that and break through this week.

Love to all babes. x

mint - brilliant work :).

struggling Babes. Life is good, so I'm cross with myself. another day one tomorrow.

Duchess huge hug to you. I'm so sorry that's sounds really hard. There's been some research to say those who have drink or drug issues often (not always) have a history of trauma. So the drink of the drugs is a self medication to manage the trauma.

So if your trying to manage the alcohol the trauma may be more in the forefront of your mind. In my early days on here I spoke a little about an incident I feel lucky to have survived. Don't think that was any co incidence that that was in the early days of not drinking that I kept thinking about it again.

Do you think you need some counselling about what you have experienced? Not saying you do. Just wondered if taking it through may help.

I hope you are ok xx

sweet are you okay? Anything you want to discuss? What are you finding hard right now? xxx

duchess I think it's your brain saying "you know all that shit that OTHER PEOPLE subjected you to, well it was all THEIR responsibilty, so be gentle and kind with your tender heart and emotions"

It's not surprising that with that amount of trauma you want to blot out your thoughts and feelings. You have been so brave to even attempt cutting back. Well done you, and don't, don't be harsh with yourself for feeling overwhelmed and turning to a familiar comfort. KOKO xx

mint what an achievement, in the face of so much! I hope that the bad keeps receding and the good keeps getting better

sweet I missed your comment I thought it was a sad face for those struggling.

I hope you are ok. Here if you want to post. You've given so much support to others it just be your turn? Be kind to yourself. X

Just = must
thanks autocorrect

Hi all

I'm hopping on board. I managed 8 days sober and then blew it yesterday, livid with myself.

But today .... I start again. Day 1 down.

I'm looking forward to reading this thread tonight and joining in.

Do any of you sporty types use myfitnesspal? I have been trying to lose a few pounds and mfp seems to help a lot of people to keep track of everything they eat. That part is going ok, but I connected it to their exercise app and the results just don't make sense.

So far today I have had 2 leisurely walks with the dog and a trip round the supermarket (total of 9654 steps according to my reliable phone step counter). The exercise app has allocated this more than 1200 calories extra, so just before I binge on a couple of burgers and a huge tub of ice cream, can someone explain what I've done wrong? Otherwise the evening dog walk will have to be followed by a pizza - wouldn't want me fading away....

Thank you all for being so kind to me. I took the dog for a long walk then came back and had a nap, mostly slept off the booze and I’m feeling a bit clearer. Boyfriend will be home soon with his kids and we have a lovely weekend planned so I’ve got plenty to keep my mind off it all. I will try and get some counselling, I have a number for Talking Space so I’ll try them next week.

Sorry to hear others are having a hard time too. I found typing it all out here was helpful. Look after yourselves xx