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

Hi Obrigada, Venus, everybabe,

I know Venus, truth is I felt a bit ashamed of slipping back into drinking to blur the edges, it’s been a horrible time and I felt if I started writing about it I’d never stop and I’d chase you all away!

Still, things are heaps better now, and I’m confident I don’t need to drink at the moment. Going forward I know from experience I’m ok to have a beer or two socially but never, ever wine.

In luxury news I’ve been really looking after myself, gallons of water, trying to sleep well, new makeup and lots of fancy face masks. Hair, nails etc have never looked so good, even had some morale boosting tweaks.

Onwards, upwards babes.

Waves at lux Good to see you back.
Just checking in from 748m high!

Testing the wedding venue???

Morning babes, very quiet on bus .... have I scared everyone away

The idea of having a drink this evening is floating in my head a lot today, saying feck it ... what harm will a couple of drinks do?? But am ignoring this voice and playing the video through to the end, with me feeling like shit tomorrow and eating everything in plain sight.

So today I will not drink

Hi, Obrigada -

Thank you to @Craftycorvid for reaching out. I'm glad someone did.
I'm still struggling with no idea where to turn.

Hi wit and we'll done for posting again.

Are there particular trigger pointsthat we can help with. Do you have wine in the house, or do you buy it every day?

I know how much it can get your in its grip and leave you feeling powerless, drinking when you don't even want to. But you're not powerless, and with the combination of determination and clever planning you might be surprised by what you can achieve.

You said you don't drink tea of coffee. What else might you enjoy - juice, herbal tea (I like ice-cold peppermint tea) hot chocolate, fizzy water? Keep experimenting.

@venusandmars. We did go to the wedding venue and lodged the marriage schedule! The mountain was me wanting to get fit and play in the snow!

Morning babes, went to my first AA meeting last night and I am so glad I did, it was great to be in a room where everyone could be honest and nobody judged them. I was made to feel so welcome.

Well done obrigada

I went to few some years ago. It didn't feel like the right place for me ongoing, but there was such a relief to be sitting in a room with other real people who 'got' me, didn't try to minimise ("you're not really that bad") or make me out to be a demon. It was part of my acceptance that I had a problem.

Will you go again?

Absolutely Venus, I really didn't know what to expect but everyone was so warm and welcoming. I am away this weekend so next meeting not till Tuesday evening but I will definitely be there.

Really glad AA is helping, Obrigada. Hope you have an amazing weekend (and all the babes).

Thanks Crafty, I think the fact that it is a small town and therefore a small enough meeting that made me more comfortable. I have resisted even giving it a go for the last few years.

if that's the wedding venue I need to rethink my outfit!

lux good to see you back again. Like you, i thought I had the wine witch beaten and here i am, half way down a bottle! AGAIN! FFS, why?
I rather disgraced myself at work today and am trying to find way to tell you all a funny story without utterly outig myself!

ma the heels of your red stilettos will be stuck in the mud, and your hat will have blown halfway to Norway! Meanwhile, I'll be rooted in my walking boots, with 'a bunnet on ma heid' to stop my hair from flying everywhere.

All that mint has to worry about is a clipboard to hold on to the paperwork, and hope that the wind does not blow the groom's kilt up around his waist (I speak from experience here, on both counts ).

ok, so i work for a Defence related organisation. Our CEO is a senior retired Army officer, quite straight laced and formal. My line manager (whose job i take over in 3 weeks) is just wonderful, an inveterate giggler and master of the double entendre. We have a tin called the "t'innunedo" for smut fines!
So, currently the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is back in Scotland for work on her hull after some time in the water. she is having real difficulty berthing in Rosyth because the weather is shit and she is fucking massive. Clearance is a matter of inches, i kid you not! Our chairman , in his day job, is responsible for the tugs trying to get her into dry dock. (I don't know how he sleeps at night).
Tomorrow we have a very big event with lots and lots of VERY senior people.
After a difficult day when everything which could go wrong did go wrong, the CEO appears in the office which I share with my boss and tells us he is worried that the Chair, who has a vital role to play tomorrow, has to be on standby for QE2 and may be called away unexpectedly if she grounds or hits the Forth Bridge or something.What will he say to the assembled audience if the Chair goes MIA?
Off guard I say, "Well, tell them that X has been called away to get Queen Elizabeth into a position where her bottom can be scraped"
There then ensues a hideous silence where me and my boss try desperately to stifle our giggles and keep a straight face until CEO has left the office!!!

ma shall I share my most embarrassing work experience?

I was new into a job as director in a charity. I'd spent my first week on 'induction' meeting people, visiting sites, skype calls etc.

2nd week in and we had a group meeting: me and the 3 other directors, our Boss, and our (reporting to us) operational managers. I was the only female. I was probably the youngest person there, and I was possibly the only one who did not have direct industry experience of this particular charity. As you can imagine I was desperate to make a good impression, and to show how connected and in-touch I was already....

We all arrived at the meeting venue, but one person (P) was absent. My Boss asked whether he was expected to attend the meeting. I had spoken to this person the previous evening on the phone, and he had expressed that he was looking forward to meeting me at the event the following day. Keen to demonstrate my integration into the organisation I thought I should reflect our conversation, which clearly indicated P's intention to attend the meeting...

..however the words I chose were: "Well, I spoke to (P) on the phone yesterday, and he made noises as though he was coming."

Fuck knows why I used that particular from of words. As you can imagine the room collapsed into disarray, and I was mortified. 18 years later, people still laugh about it, and I still blush.

Worse of course was the moment when the unfortunate (P) arrived to the meeting and everyone started making 'noises' and accompanying gestures. Poor guy had no idea what was going on.

😂😂😂. My moment of workplace ‘glory’ was one very hot summer when there was a water shortage. We were talking about baths versus showers in terms of how much water. I postulated that a shallow bath might use less than a shower if, and I quote (it’s seared into my memory) “well, I only like to take a few inches in the bottom anyway” I truly didn’t get why there was uproarious laughter all round. I was young and innocent!

It was a busy office and there was a sizeable audience.....

corvid Im cringing for you!

Afternoon babes, still here and still alcohol free .

Day 16 for me today, and today I will not drink.

You're doing great obrigada Still planning on your AA meeting tomorrow? It will boost your resolve.

Good on you, Obrigada. Really glad AA is giving you the support you need. You are past the first two weeks now and whilst I know you are thinking in terms of days, from my experience, things do start to change at this point.

Thanks Venus and Crafty, I am counting in days at the minute because it makes it a little bit easier for me. The temptation to just have the one is still strong but I know I won't stop at one.

Yes Venus, heading to my second meeting tonight, still nervous about it but going to go because I found it helped me last week.

You’re doing great Obrigada, well done.

I’m AF here, haven’t even thought about it, I’m not sure why. I have loads of alcohol in the house, still some from Christmas tbh. Weird but I’m not complaining.