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.

I had a moment earlier when I had a notion for wine but it has passed now thankfully. DH about to make me a cup of tea.

Margie huge congratulations on 200 Days Babe that's a massive achievement - you are awesome my friend

Sweet hugs to you my darling - forget the weekend it was a blip. Can you get yourself back to your exercise classes, you were really enjoying them I hope today was ok and that you got through it. Keep posting babe - you are amazing please don't forget that! Tiny steps... get to your GP and let them know how you're feeling. There was a hum dinger of a full moon last Friday and we're in the aftermath of that (I know it's my hippy chick head) but I do seriously think the build up and the waning moon has a huge effect on all of us. There are 2 full moons (as there was in Jan) this month next one (a blue moon, again very powerful) is on 31 March. Be kind to yourself

Love to all babes x

Thank you lovely Spanna. I tried not to sound boasty in my post - I know you know how hard this has been for me, as you were always there to pick me up after my previous failed attempts, when I was full of self-hatred. You remain a total inspiration.

congrats to you margie. so proud of you!

Margie - that is epic :). Night night all. xxx

Thanks so much Ma and Twattage. Hugs to you both.

Margie you didn't sound boasty at all - it's a huge deal and you frigging should be boasting crikey if none of us can boast about our achievements, what's the point !!! Give yourself an enormous pat on the back - you are simply awesome chick

Margie - that is amazing! I'm on day two after no AF days for two years. I am really inspired by you.

Congratulations on 200 days Margie!!
I nearly had a wobble tonight. I’m day off tomorrow so the wine witch was telling me to treat myself with a bottle. I played the tape forward and really questioned why did I feel the need to drink alone and what would it achieve. So instead had a nice bath and a hot chocolate.

Well done Jayne nice bath & hot choc beats a hangover everytime

Buttonz Day 2 is awesome - you'll feel amazing tomorrow

It's always worth 'watching the film to the end' mine was always a disaster waiting to happen!

Thanks Spanna

I wish to god I'd watched the film to the end before my last, disastrous night out... I'm still cringing about it and that's only from what I remember.

Morning all

buttonz - bad as it may be, the cringe moments will help you stay strong when the cravings are bad. I have been remembering some horrible moments in my wine drinking days when I was totally twatted at work dos in front of senior mgmt. And I wonder why no-one was going to promote a lush like me?!

Day 34 dawns - we've been awake a while after 8 hours of restful sleep, which I wouldn't have had if I'd drunk 4 beers last night. My coffee is on and I'm enjoying the morning still. I'd forgotten how much I love this time - especially in summer when I have the door straight open from the bedroom to the garden.

Have a good day all. xxx

Lovely words to wake up to Twattage. Go you on day 3 Buttonz. Well done for showing the WW the door Jayne.

Happy Wednesday babes.

Morning all
Sweet I hope you are feeling better today or at least getting some help from GP
Jayne you hit the nail on the head with the treat of wine required if not working the next day. It’s funny isn’t it. I don’t even think about drinking when working the next day but as soon as I have the day off it rears it’s ugly head. However as you say if you rationalise it and question it with yourself you realise it is just a habit you have gotten into over the years. Well done for not giving in!
buttonz well done on your AF days. The first few days really are the hardest but you are being very strong.
Last night I had Zumba and today it’s boxercise after work then meeting with friends for a meal but no alcohol. The exercise really helps me to focus on staying healthy. Still hardly any weight loss though!
Hi to all other babes and I hope you all have a good day

Margie amazing 200 days. Can’t imagine how that feels

Margie 200 days is amazing. I'm hoping to make trebel figures but not sure I will.

Jayne There's nothing like a bath and a hot chocolate.

Twattage Some of my bulb pots by the French doors are starting to flower. I'm liking looking at them with a coffee in the morning ignoring cbeebies in the background

Day 65 (I think for me) today and I'm feeling quite positive. Yesterday I was noticing the sort of rank smell of cigarettes. They always smell nice to me but I haven't had one since Boxing Day or vaped since mid-Jan. I hope I can crack it this time.

Have a good day everyone!

Sweet Are you ok?

Thanks Twat, Margie and Trust.

Slept better last night... didn't constantly wake up to chug water, as I normally do.

Margie
Congratulations!! I'm very proud of you.
spanna41
I hear you on the full moon stuff. There is a direct affect of twattish behaviour due to a full moon, I'm convinced of it. Plus, I always used to get my period and be weepy on it.
Sweet
Sorry to see you're having a shit time of it. Are you ok today?
Ma
How are things going?
Trust2017
When I finally make it back to the gym, I'm be starting boxercise again. I loved it.

I have signed up to Heart Matters on the BHF website so I can follow plans etc to get DP back on track. I've decided to do their Dechox March challenge. I'm starting a week late but I'll tack it on the end. Wish me luck! I'm not quite ready to give up sugar in my tea yet, hopefully that will come.
Waves to all the other babes on the bus.

Sweet - adding my voice to that of all the Babes here who’re shouting out for you. I really hope you’re feeling a bit better today? And if you’re not, don’t give yourself a hard time about it, go with it, accept whatever help you need and know we are all thinking of you. You’re amazing - you’ve been there for everybabe of late and we’re all here for you too. Be kind to yourself, lovely.

Hi mint yes my favourite is also boxercise but I have to say Zumba is coming a close second lately even though I have absolutely no rhythm. Depends on the instructor I think. She has lots of good energy and makes it fun. I’ve laid off on spin a bit lately but will get back into it. Even though I haven’t lost any weight I have definitely toned up as can now get in some work trousers that I thought would never happen again

Trust2017
I've just found my local community center are starting Pilates lessons on a Wednesday afternoon. And luckily, that's the day I start work later so it's doable.
It's a start!

Hi, can I join? My drinking is spiralling. I used to have a couple of glasses of wine on a Saturday evening - not a problem.

Then my exH left nearly two years ago, and my mum, who I hadn't spoken to for months, got in touch. She faked being supportive (I've since gone NC again) and took me shopping. I wasn't even going to look on the alcohol aisle - I had four young DC and at that point a newborn - but she said "You HAVE to have wine!"

I remember my first glass of that wine that night... I finally got to forget that my husband had walked out on us all. I relaxed and had a laugh.

And the rest is history :( I now drink every single night. I have a new DP who has started to drink with me, although he only has one.

I don't think I'm quite ready to stop but I need to seriously cut down before we TTC at some point

Evening All.

Thank you so much for the shout outs, Small, Baking, Trust, everyone. I ok, I've had a mixed couple of days - back to being AF though.

I have sorted out a counsellor, but I won't be able to see a GP until Friday. I found out yesterday that the award I was nominated for by students, I have now been shortlisted for. Great, except it is for an area of my work that I fucked up last week .

Margie 200 days is fabulous. I loved what you said about some aspects of life still being shit. Being AF doesn't solve everything, but it sure as hell is a good start.

Mint, you really need a break my lovely. How is DP now? Pilates is great, it seems so gentle when you're doing it, but you really know it's working the next day.

Spanna, many years ago I worked in a children's residential care setting, we used to dread the full moon!

Welcome, Kake, find yourself a seat, we all 'get it' here. What level of moderation are you hoping for?

I'll be back later Babes, got to get ready for meditation class (second this week).

Hi all you babes.

That is me on my 4th day. I slept so well last night and I have been full of energy today.

DH is away tonight and that is usually my signal to get a bottle of wine and catch up on my TV programmes. I am dealing with it by having salad for dinner as i am less inclined to drink wine with salad and i plan lovely hot chocolate for later.

I can't remember who was talking about it, but I do Pilates. I love it. It is both calming and energising and also very hard work!