Brave Babes Battle Bus: Sunshine, Roses and Mocktails All Round

[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.

Summer offers all kinds of challenges for those of us trying to change our relationship to alcohol, pub gardens, summer holidays, school holidays, and apparently there's a big football tournament too. If you want to read where the bus has been so far this year 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

The Bus is a bit of a Mumsnet institution, but it has an open door policy, no cliques, no judgement, and the welcome is always warm. So hop on and join us.

[Mouseface]

Hello lovely Babes!!

Sorry I've not read back as it's chaos here with hospital appointments for myself and Nemo!

I'm keeping an eye on the number count on the thread and as soon as we hit high 80s/low 90s, I'll make the Christmas thread live so don't worry! We'll all be here to support one another over the festive season 😊

Much love,

Mouse xxxxxxxx

[lighthousemuseum]

Hi the babes,
New to posting on mumsnet, in fact joined just to reply to you. No words of wisdom but I recently read your original thread and found it inspiring. Struggling to moderate myself and Christmas will be difficult, but you have helped me believe there's a different way. I'm hoping that venus, demented or even miflaw or moomin will be along soon with real support, but wanted you to know I'm rooting for you and all the other babes this Christmas.

[dementedma]

Appears on the bus in a blaze of Christmas Glory....well not really, but a Babe told me that our founder Babe is back and in need of agoodkickupthearse help, so I am here firstly to say a huge thank you t the woman who has inspired and motivate so many of us and to see if I have any words of wisdom. Unlikely as I am not even attempting to get my drinking under control and won't be until Dry January bites me. I'm actually looking forward to it as a kickstart to shifting some of this weight and getting healthier.
so, what's been happening in my absence? I see the bus cleaner has legged it. kicks at assorted Opal fruit wrappers
Hi to all new and (returning ) babes. S'up dudes?

[Duchessgummybuns]

Hi babes and welcome to thebabes and lighthouse and any other newbies I have missed.

It’s so hard at this time of year, like you thebabes I know alcohol has never solved any of my problems but I would still turn to it when I was anxious and stressed. One drink would become two, then far too much as I chased the “good feeling” I thought alcohol would give me. Although it quieted the anxious thoughts they were still there, and when I got drunk they’d come out in much worse ways.

So now I go to AA, and instead of drinking I talk. It doesn’t solve my problems but unlike drinking it doesn’t add to them. I’ve had a handhold through stopping drinking from people who truly do understand, because although my family and friends would be supportive I think it’s hard for someone without a problem with alcohol to really get it.

Anyway, sorry rambling (I do that) I’m on day 35, got a big hamper of booze from work as a Christmas gift which I’m going to offload to relatives on Xmas day. I don’t even want a drink anymore honestly, so that’s progress. Hope everyone’s Xmases are shaping up nicely, I’m nearly a whole celebrations tin in so far xxx

[Margie32]

Wow Duchess, sounds like you’re in a really good place, huge congrats to you.

How are you thebabes? Hope you’ve managed to move far away from the fuck it button, as you quite rightly say, you can DO sober, you are GREAT at sober.

Brilliant to see you Ma, as always.

[dementedma]

Watcha margie how's tricks?

[Mouseface]

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

MAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Hello my lovely! I've missed you sweetie so it's good to hear from you! I'm in bed after going out last night and slipping on the wet floor. Face first holding onto my crutches as I went. One large bruised, cut leg, two sore knees and elbows, plus I jarred my back and twisted my ankle

I wouldn't mind but I was sober!! I had a fibromyalgia attack as well because of the pain!

So, my truly wonderful husband has sorted all of washing out, put clean bedding on, I'm in clean pjs, he came to pick me up and has made me a bacon sandwich! I'm one lucky lady that's for sure

How are all of you amazing Babes, doing? I know this is always a difficult time and that most people here will drink. So, the Bus will be restocked with green Opal Fruits, cold and hot soft drinks, and warm, fresh crusty bread with toppings of your choice.

Have a great afternoon xxx

[dementedma]

mouse good to see you too.did you see that JWN is back? We need venus and indie and dubh and babyjane and beaches and spanna and small and oh so many other babes to check in.
I've been off the bus a while but always thinking about it and the travelling babes. Great to see so many newbies keeping Gerald going (fnar, fnar)
did the Salvation Army drop by? Bet you all missed me getting my triangle out...

[Trust2017]

Just wanted to sign in to say Hi to TheBabes(aka JWN). I read your original posts and was inspired. You have great courage but also understanding and kindness to others which goes a long way to help people. A great sense of humour too. I hope you continue to post.
Hi to all the babes on the bus. I hope you are managing to cope with The Merry season.

[Trust2017]

Also sorry to hear about your accident Mouse hope you feel better soon.

[venusandmars]

I've been awol because I am far, far away on the other side of the world on holiday until January. But.... JWN you're back!!!

I'm sad to read that, but you have done this before, you CAN do it again. Go to meetings, get involved, call for support, all the things that helped you last time. You've been an inspiration to many, what you started has changed lives. Now take some of that magic back for yourself. Be your own best project.

Sending hugs to mouse ma margie and all new, old or returners xx

[dementedma]

venus good to see you. give me a buzz when you get back and we will meet up. been an eventful 2018 so lots to catch up on. and we have a wedding to plan for......

[thebabessavedme]

BOING! good couple of days, things feel normal, dh talking to me, one xmas party down (i drove!) have seen my dgs today! (dear god i love him!) food bought, some cooking done and i even managed a walk with dm without muttering! (i just hope that its because i was chilled as fuck - not because im now getting as bloody batty as she is!)

WHO IS GETTING MARRIED?

btw, thanks to all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Wrongwayup]

Jwn I remember your original thread. I will keep you company this time if you will have me. Been on another thread about what grief brings you. In addition to all the shock, anger. Anxiety rtf mentioned mine also brought me an alcohol problem.

[thebabessavedme]

morning everyone - just reading back, what a lovely bunch you all are! venus and ma, my dear old friends, just the kick up the bum i needed!

have a wonderful safe and sober christmas eve all

and 'God bless us, everyone!' Yes yes yes, i have been binge watching a christmas carol

[Margie32]

Thebabes, the boing suits you!!! Glad you’re feeling better, the bus is here for you, just as you were here for all of us when we needed help.

Great to see you Ma, and Venus I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I love what you wrote in your post from yesterday, I’m going to hang onto this, you’re like my wise Christmas prophet!:

“You've been an inspiration to many, what you started has changed lives. Now take some of that magic back for yourself. Be your own best project.”

Happy Christmas to all babes, I hope it is as sober as you choose for it to be. Let’s make 2019 a brilliant one!

[dementedma]

DD2 is getting married in 2020..Still enough time to lose about 20 stone or thereabouts. May be slight exaggeration.

[ChristmasEve2018]

Hello everyone and happy Christmas.

I am done with drinking. My Christmas present to myself is to not wake up feeling this rubbish tomorrow morning. I find things very hard but drink is not the answer. Got to cope with various children with various issues with a hangover on Christmas Eve now plus get ready for tomorrow. Never again!

In 2017 I didn’t drink all year till early December. I brainwashed myself that alcohol was poison by reading Jason Vale and various others to motivate me during dry January. One December day in 2017 at a Christmas dinner I had a glass of Prosecco put in my hand and nowhere to put it down. That was the road to this current destruction which has worsened over the year. Just one innocent glass!

So like our founder babe I will join you with one day at a time.

TODAY I ALSO WILL NOT BE DRINKING!

[ChristmasEve2018]

It can be done. I have done it before!

I wish there weren’t alcohol adverts on this page though...

[Craftycorvid]

Wishing all the babes a peaceful and happy Christmas/Yule/Winter Solstice - whatever occasion you mark, I hope it goes well for you. You have all kept me going in 2018 with your wisdom, compassion and humour. It’s coming up to 6 months AF on New Year’s Eve for me (I know, good timing or what?!) Yesterday I heard myself saying put loud ‘I don’t drink alcohol’ when offered it at a social gathering where a toast was being proposed. No one got offended. I found my own way to ‘drink to’ the occasion. It was ok. Really ok. Blessings (and raising a nice cuppa to you all).

[LookingforHope]

Hello lovelies. Old timer here, probably only Ma Mouse Venus and a couple more will recall me but it would not be Christmas without popping onto the bus to drop off some Celebrations and Opal Fruits. Wishing you all the best Christmas you can hope for and hoping to join you for Dry January. I have had an up and down year. This is my first Christmas as a separated parent. I've had 10 months of readjustment, and ready to move on in 2019 (and ditch the drink). I will read back and catch up with you all soon. You are an amazing bunch. Look forward to reacquainting with old friends and meeting new ones on here xxx

[LookingforHope]

Ps have just realised theBabes is JWN. Awestruck to meet you. Look at the community you inspired!! Wishing you all the best for 2019. Also very excited for Mouse's Christmas thread. Have not been here for months but already feel like I never went away

[Mouseface]

PLEASE IGNORE THE NEW THREAD!!

I POSTED IT FAR TOO SOON SO HAVE REPORTED IT AND WILL THEN REPOST IT SOON!!

Thank you xxxx

[Mouseface]

Hello lovely Babes!!

Disaster averted! Can I also welcome back the one and only JWN (now known as thebabessavedme) who without her brave determination and absolute commitment to her family to change, would have meant a completely different outcome for myself and many more! You are one amazing lady, and I know that you can do this again!! Now more than ever, the Babes will come together, refuel Gerald, pick up Barry from wherever Ma left him, swipe a shed load of Opal Fruits (the green ones are Ma's, - sorry, it's kind of the law ) and hold your hand for as long as you need us to!

The new thread is ready when we hit the late 980's I'll post it but please as always, can we fill this one first? Thank you! xxx

P.S. - OMG!!!!! I am so super sore still but never mind.

[dementedma]

hope could to see you dear thing! you have had a quite a year. so proud of what you have achieved...and what you have got rid of!!

Barry is here with his santa hat on and some fairy lights round his tank.
mouse hope you feel better soon and have a wonderful Christmas with Mr mouse, your gorgeous DD and the amazing nemo. Can't believe how grown up he is.

Mind you, my youngest is nearly 17!! Good grief.