The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Step Into Our Christmas Thread!

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse

A HUGE welcome to the Bus!

This is the one and only Gerald. Over the years, we've travelled far and wide gathering some truly remarkable Babes along the way, all of whom have been (and remain to be) at different stages of their own personal journey to sobriety or controlled drinking, depending on what it is that they want to achieve.

We have those who drink daily, those who drink occasionally, and also those who have been sober for some time. The one thing that you won't find here, is any judgey knickers! We're ALL here because at one point or another, we've hit our own "rock bottom" and then smashed the shit out of the FUCK IT button! (makes a note to order a new FUCK IT button)

This is without doubt one of the hardest times of the year for many of us, what with Christmas parties, alcohol on tap, supermarkets who have offers galore of various tipples stacked from floor to ceiling, and EVERY advert on TV shows you what an amazingly cool person you can be if you were drinking whatever brand of alcohol they're flogging! Even Christmas puddings and Brandy creams are tempting fate because as soon as you digest even a small amount of alcohol, it makes your body crave more, just like smoking, medication and recreational drugs................

Then there's the gifts that you're given! Champagne Truffles, Liquors, wines, spirits, you name it! So unless you've told people about your planned journey, people assume that buying gifts like that completely acceptable. So, some may feel obliged to consume such gifts and why not? It's Christmas after all. Then we have the New Year festivities..... parties, friends and family over to have drinks because you'll stop drinking after New Years' Day won't you?

It's so damn hard not to drink if that's what you've been doing all year anyway before you even reach this time of year!! How will you cope with your Great Aunt who will check for dust by running finger over ever surface, or Uncle knobhead who will be there in his cream suit, with that suspicious stain on it and his burgundy shirt asking for a Babycham! Also, let's not forget the in-laws/out-laws! We can sometimes put so much pressure on ourselves that we convince ourselves that we DESERVE that glass or seven of wine etc.

At the end of the day, if you want to drink, then you will. I appreciate that doesn't sound supportive but it's certainly true in my case. As I have said before, the most amazing thing about this Bus and those who travel along with it, is the fact that every single one on board has a story, a reason why they're here, and we all need support in one form or another. Yes, alcohol may be the one thing that we ALL have in common but it goes way deeper than that doesn't it? Life, love and laundry for a start!

Even if you're not ready to stop or cut down on your drinking yet, that's fine! You're still welcome to hop aboard the marvellous Gerald. We're a very varied bunch of Babes but we welcome anyone in need of support, even if you're not ready to say everything that you want to yet, or you feel the need to name change, that's fine! Just know that we're here for YOU for as long as you need to be.

Mouse xxx

THIS IS THE PREVIOUS THREAD IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CATCH UP FROM WHERE WE LEFT OFF

Morning All.

So much for the boing, I feel like I've been hit by a bus this morning! I think I over did it yesterday. I just want to sleep.

Small it was Twelfth Night. I have to admit I wasn't hugely enthusiastic, but it was brilliant (evidence that you should always make the effort to go out, even when you're not really 'feeling' it). It was quite heavily redacted and I'm not sure I followed it word-for-word, but the actors also played instruments throughout and were brilliant. As a bonus, the theatre sells the whole range of Fevertree tonics, and the was no interval to add to the temptation.

I can't wait to get back to the gym (another two weeks at least to go), because although I've definitely moderated my diet, I'm missing two dog walks a day, Aqua and pilates, and as my son put it 'chunking up' .

Weewee, "enjoying the graft" is exactly it with work, it seems that bit easier and seeing things completed is hugely satisfying.

Ma DS's father used to complain all the time about needing more money, but despite being the under-employed one, never managed to connect the two things. It was always my fault. Wanker. Meanwhile, DH just refuses to retire! Fingers crossed for your results.

Anyway, time to be away and to work, I have a work from home day tomorrow, so I can look forward to a lie in when I get through today.

Afternoon Babes. PJs already on (well it's almost dark).

I was looking in the mirror (chance occurrence, I don't make a habit of it). I look years younger than I did two weeks ago. When I think of all of the lotions, potions, and money spent to little or no effect. If someone slapped a good marketing slogan on sobriety, we'd all be doing it!

Over half way through the month now, even if you're not doing DJ, and are moderating, or if you've had a couple. re-starts, how are Babes doing? Better than last month, better than last January? Better than yesterday?

I’m on day 11. The longest I can remember doing was 4 days a couple of years ago and then I was really just white knuckling it until I was allowed to drink on Friday.

Today, that's brilliant!

Hi all, I am still af but not noticing any of the benefits yet. I haven’t felt well all year, some fierce lurgy which has left me feeling 101 at least (the mirror even agrees). However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, I am getting through fewer tissues and fewer painkillers so I will rise again, albeit at tortoise speed. I guess it could be seen as a cheat sheet way to do dry January.....but I really wouldn’t recommend it x

Beaches, that has been a hell of a lurgy. It will have sapped your stamina too so build yourself up slowly when you can.

Thanks Sweet

Ohhh. I've lost a human brain! DP says its probably my own 🤔

all test results clear and an good to go. DH hasnt even asked how i got on.

Ah Ma so pleased you have been given the all clear. Hope you get some answers though for what is going on. That’s so poor of your Dh.

beaches hope you feel better soon. Nasty bugs about this year.

So tired tonight been such a busy week but not even crossed my mind to drink. Should be running a half marathon on Sunday but it’s so cold and maybe snowy I’m not sure. Need to be strong if I don’t run not to drink instead.

Ma what a relief - so pleased for you hopefully you will sleep well tonight.
Mint ??? Have you found it yet?
Struggled last night, no idea why but came close to going out to buy wine. Staved it off with chocolate. Today has been fine, thank goodness. Day 17 almost over.
Whatever your goal don't give up Babes, we can do it.

Oops sorry ann not a real one. It was in reply to the previous posters alternative weight loss link

ma that is totally brilliant news. You'll sleep like a baby tonight I'm sure. Be careful there sweet, you'll burn yourself you're so hot! What a lovely discovery in the mirror. Big love to the rest of the babes. I'm still working on something for tomorrow and never has the wine witch howled louder. But I'm on the cider vinegar, and need to make this work worthwhile. Tomoz i will be clear and confident, not groggy and angsty. Maybe I'll actually do my best and it won't be an apology. It could be actually very good. Same for you all perhaps? Tomorrow COULD be you at your best. Exciting thought!

Night night xx

Ma what a grade A wanker your WB is. Delighted your test results are ok. I have a mammogram and a tax return to enjoy tomorrow. Beaches hope you feel better soon, and Sweet glad you enjoyed Twelfth Night. I saw John Thaw in that when I was at 6th Form! A million years ago . Want to find what odd creature in weight I lost and regained but DD wants me to cut her hair now. At bloody midnight. Daughters

Ok haircut went well if I say so myself (only trimming long straight hair, not a full on makeover ) and discovered I lost a two year old last year but regained a Chihuahua since Christmas due to eye infection and bad back and resulting gym exile and general festive piggery Thanks Venus for sharing. Not much hope for weekend as will be busy packing son up for return to Uni plus food shop for him then driving him there, and a kids party thrown in on Sunday morning for good measure, but onwards and upwards next week. Hoping mammogram not too grim tomorrow No booze in the house, which seems to be the only way I can not drink any at the moment.

Ma great news on the test results, what a relief

mint and ann best misunderstanding of the week....misplacing your brain!!

efc thanks for the sympathy. Good luck for your half marathon on Sunday, if you decide to do it.

weewee love your positive thoughts. Hope you shine bright tomorrow.

hope a midnight haircut impressed by both your skills and your willingness to do such a thing.

Sleep well babes

Morning All.

Ma what a relief! But honestly, your(D)H, you really do deserve better.

Weewee I said I looked younger, but not all babies are beautiful!

Mint ????

Anyway, sorry I don't have time to nc everyone, work to get done and I have a sore thought starting so I want the option to finish early. Stay strong all.

Just realised that I haven't heard Farming Today in over a week. I MUST be sleeping better!

Ma that’s great news about the tests. A relief in spite of your DH 😡

Mint. I was imagining you in some sort of ‘Silent Witness’ scenario mid-autopsy and suddenly thinking - ‘oh God, where did I put that brain....?!’

Does anyone else find Fridays particularly hard? All week I’ve had mid afternoon thoughts of having a “day off” and drinking wine, so far I haven’t given in but today it has started early and is particularly strong.

Mint I have to admit I also thought you’d lost a real brain but was struggling to work out how or why that would happen!

Today, funnily enough I find Mondays more difficult, Friday's DH and I we got into the habit of going to the pub after work but I was always driving so not tempted and by the time I got home was past my own personal witching hour. Monday is on the other hand I get home exhausted but much more in need of help to switch off. What I find useful is thinking about the weekend as my time; why would I give my sober days to work but screw up personal time with a hangover? I think it's about reframing what is valuable and therefore what is a reward.

Sweet that really resonates for me about deciding what matters. One of the deciding factors for me in the internal argument with myself about my drinking was what it was taking from my awareness of the good stuff in life - easily as much as it was anaesthetising the painful stuff. Week nights used to be bad as I’d got into the habit of using alcohol to tune out from an unfulfilling job. What dawned on me was that I was continuing the same pattern having found a job I love, and booze (or in my own private rhyming slang’the old ‘Ted Hughs’) was just numbing me out emotionally.

Definitely, a few hours of drinking takes away from the clearer days and better sleep that comes from not drinking.
At the moment I’m just focusing on the fact that I don’t want to be back on day one, yet again.

Corvid, I definitely use it to get numb, and to quiet my bloody noisy (and generally critical) interior monologue. But as you say, the effects are indiscriminate.

Today what can you plan to do to distract you for the evening?

It’s the feeling of feeling removed from my thoughts that I’m after really.

I’ve had an AF beer. Just need to make it through another hour and then DP is going out so my only opportunity to buy wine would be with a tired six year old in tow.