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

The old Ted Hughes I'm also heading home after intense day. Everything went pretty well, and a truckload better than if I'd been numbing myself through the buildup. Now i really do deserve a reward, but trying to reframe that in the absence of my usual go-to. Could still go to the pub as last week but not quite as strong not to give in, even though the banter and fun of my mates should be enough of a reward in itself. Oooo its so hardwired, and that's what I'm trying to reverse. Hangover free me-time is the answer but not quite compelling enough in my current over-stimulated state.

Might just white-knuckle it. Today I will be AF (repeat til bedtime) (bring forward bedtime to 7.30.

Keep on keeping on my angels

thanks all. heating and hot water back on. only lost half a pound so hit the fuck it button with fish and chips and a G&T. have taken myself to bed to prevent further damage. Really tired.
Leaving boss pushing me to go for his job...have brought a load of paperwork home so i can do some research and try and come to a decision..

Hi everyone just a quick wave, everyone sounds like they are doing well. I’m only just in from driving kids to all their clubs- so it’s my time I’d normally be opening the wine. Running a bath instead!

Stay strong everyone, we want headache free Saturday mornings!

Sorry Mint I'm always a bit slow on the uptake
I have failed. Sorry but I gave in at the supermarket & bought gin. No excuses but am worried about my mum, she's 88 and although amazing for her age, her body is slowly letting her down bit by bit. This week has brought 2 new problems. I don't know how to make it better - I can't basically and it breaks my heart.
Feeling sad & emotional but going to go to bed now and leave it at 1 drink.

Anne sorry to hear about your Mum it’s so hard seeing our parents age. Well done on the one drink and stopping. Hope you manage to get some rest.

anneboleyn that is so tough. It is true, there is nothing that you can do about someone getting older, day by day it happens (to us all). I remember my mum and dad in their 80s, and it was such a fragile system, balanced precariously. It all worked fine until something didn't. Then it sort of cascaded gently, or not so gently, bumping from one syndrome to the next, with an inevitability about the end point Whilst we can all accept the reality of life and death, the difficulty is not knowing whether one particular event or illness will stabilise and give 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years of meaningful life, or whether it will tip head over heels into something else... It is tough.

So for all of us (who are also ageing day by day) we must make the most of what we have - delight in the small delights, breathe in the scent of a flower, or the smell of shampoo on your child's hair; stroke dog, a cat, a rabbit, feel their warmth and sense their response; look at the moon or the clouds, or stand and feel the rain and the wind in your face. Don't hide from your emotions, don't obliterate them by drinking. Cry, weep, wail, and know that this too is life, and we feel these things because we are alive, because we care, because we are human and wonderful.

A glass of wine (or vodka) gives us none of this. It steals our time, it steals our connections, it steals our steadiness and strength. It is a thief, and a witch.

venusandmars that’s beautiful and so true. Life is fragile, precious and to be savoured to the last drop.

Wine used to be a huge part of the joy of life for me - until it stopped being so joyful and got too controlling. Can we find an alternative to ‘witch’ that works though? I’m a card-carrying Pagan/Witch and have never knowingly intoxicated anyone.

great post venus.
ann i could have written your post. mum is 83 and failing. Th elephant in the room of her living alone needs to be confronted. Every day she seems to struggle more. It's horrible.

No plans for today other than a couch to 5 K jog and a half arsed attempt to start clearing out the bedroom

Morning All.

Venus that is so moving. My parents are in their early 70s and generally hail and hearty, but over the last year are noticeably slowing down, especially my Mum. What REALLY worries me is that they are not in this country, it would be hard enough navigating the care system here, but in another language and from a distance, I probably should do some planning.

But Anne, you stopped at one, you didn't fail, you slipped. Can you put the rest of the bottle out of sight, or donate it? If your Mum needs you, you will need a clear head, you might need to drive.

Corvid how very true, wine stopped being a joy.

Ma, but half a pound is still a loss. Weight doesn't get to unhappy levels in a week, it won't come off in a week. Keep at it. The other thing is, it can fluctuate by over 1lb in the course of a day.

efc, when DS was younger, I used to really resent those after-school activities delaying my wine. And as for the 9am Sunday trampoline class 30 minutes drive away. ARGH!

Anyway, I'm planning a very lazy day, elevating my legs and watching some films. Today is day 18 for me (started on 02/01), and I have transferred 90 into my savings account. The reality is that that is less than I would have spent, but I now have a Fevertree tonic habit to support and Sainsburys still has the Clementine flavour!

Happy Saturday all.

I’m feeling that Fever Tree tonic habit! Also now have a Seedlip habit to support as well. Not cheap.

Just sending hugs to all who are caring for elderly parents. My mum is 84 now, failing eyesight and lives alone 200 miles away in a rather isolated community. I visit every month and am in regular phone contact, but I worry about how she’s coping. She’s adamant about not moving either closer to me or somewhere easier for her, and I get why she feels that way, but it’s tough!

Wishing you all a warm weekend. Especially if you are out running.

Brrr, just back from a run, it is chilly until you get going. And it was a reward for the end of a busy week. As well as the run, its a chance to enjoy one of my favourite people and put the world to rights. And now a quiet house to myself for a couple of hours. I know it's naughty but i'm putting the heating back on and having a good old pamper. luxe any product recommendations? I'm going to treat myself to something today! venus your words completely chime with me, tou are a poet Life is for living and feeling the good and the bad. If there were no shadows we couldn't perceive the light, so why are we trying to blot it out? How are the rest of the babes on the bus this wintry morning? Xx

Corvid I've tried the Garden one, and didn't think it added much to good tonic, and was put off Spice because so many people described it as tasting like toothpaste. But I've just spotted Grove, which looks really much more interesting!

Weewee I'm going to do a face mask later, I'd like to do a footer, but I have surgical stockings in the way at the moment, but next week I can take them off over night, so I will do it then so I'm well-peeled by the time I can go back to Aqua classes!.

How is everyone doing this evening?

Went for a chilly walk then came home and made comfort food aka a red lentil dhal with coconut milk and pineapple. Yup, does not sound promising, I admit. It’s based on an old Rose Elliot recipe I used to make back in my student days, and which called for a lot of curry powder - resulting dish was an interesting shade of khaki! I felt a bit chilled and January-ish today so thought I’d revive an old fave which, like me, has been through a lot of changes since then.

Evening!

Where does everyone buy their footner- I’ve had a good one and a dodgy one bought online! Don’t want to burn my feet off!

I’m stuffed full of pasta (decided not to push on with low carb half way through training since it takes weeks to be in fat burning I think) but I have avoided sweets, chocolate, crisps and alcohol all week.

crafty I’m not pagan but find a lot of the beliefs sit well with me- we should rename it- The Wine Trump (no one likes Donald)

I still do lots of Rose Elliot recipes, Corvid! We have had Mushroom nutmeat almost every Christmas since my Dad turned vegetarian in the late 70s!

I'm bored which might be a trigger if I could drive or we had wine in the house. Can't wait for the bruising to go down.

Poor doggo is confined to lead until I can drive and walk better because no one apart from me can trust him off lead.

X-Post efc I get mine from Amazon, 2 for £19.95.

corvid you're a witch? Excellent. Really interested in witchcraft, paganism and Wicca. Makes a lot of sense to me.

Am tucked up in bed with frankincense resin in my oil burner and the room smells lovely. Going for an 8 miler tomorrow with the Ramblers - hope I don't die!

Sorry, I completely missed that Corvid how about Gin Genie (for the Bowie fans .

Sweet Gin Genie That’s....genius!

Yes, I’m a witch, Ma Your evening sounds really cosy. Love Frankinsense.

Hi crafty apologies, I've got a lovely friend who is a hedgewitch. I get used to people on here talking about the wine witch, but it's maybe time for a change of metaphor.

Venusandmars no need for apologies - witches do cast spells, as does wine, alas!

Morning All.

Morning all! It's a beautiful frosty morning here and it's my day off! I was all warm and cosy in the bed enjoying a rare lie in until one of the unholy hoard brought a blackbird through the cat flap. Luckily it was ok and has been returned to it's flock unscathed.

Mint SweetPuss is also a regular and generous hunter, I'm not sure which is worse, having to catch a live one, or accidentally stepping in a little pile of internal organs at the bottomed the stairs !