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

Evenin’!

Wakey wakey!

I'm here!!!! Think it's time the thread title was changed though. It's not Christmas anymore!!!!!

Hey, who's shaking the bus.

tee hee not me

I'm awake. It's far too early. I'm buying golf umbrellas online. Because 5am is obviously when you decide you need one!🙈

I can't believe this thread has been trundling on since Christmas! Does that mean everyone's crammed in the sidecar? Is it time for a roll call and an update.

I've not posted for a while but not much has changed for me. Drinking now and again but not often and not much. I'm still trying to lose weight. Funnily enough, that's been much harder for me. I've always lost a bit and then put it back on again. Sigh.

Morning!! Sorry not posted for a while. I am also just trundling along with nothing much to report. Trying to lose weight as always. Have restricted my drinking to once a week if I have a “do” but no more drinking at home. Seems to be working for me. Hope all you babes are keeping well

also checking in. yes, this has been a very slow thread this time. I'm not around much. Struggling with level of new job, drinking a lot same old same old. Looking forward to mint's wedding. We need to get the bus decked out in its finery for the big day. I presume this is why you are buying golf umbrella's mint?

Oooh a wedding! When is it?

Congrats on the new job ma but sorry you're struggling. Is it soldier ogling withdrawal?

Hello!

I have lurked a little on a few of these threads and am delurking to ask if I could please join you?

I have a couple of serious alcoholics in my family, including my poor mum, who sadly died as a result of her very heavy drinking in her fifties.

I am nowhere near her level of drinking, thankfully, but I have noticed some bad habits creeping in wrt my alcohol consumption.

I know some people on here have stopped completely and permanently, while others are aiming for moderation. I've decided to take a break from drinking entirely for a while. I'm aiming for six months. If I make it that far I will reassess and decide whether I want to drink moderately again.

hi faire wedding is next week and me and venus are going to be witnesses! a bus wedding.
Yes new role is more strategic, so more paperwork and less soldier ogling sadly. although I am angling for an inivtation to the regimental summer ball....

Waves to Clubbercise
My mum was also battled alcohol all her life. When she died it really made me more determined not to drink. I was 8 months AF at that point and now I'm 18 months down the road.

@Fairenuff. Next Sunday!!! I think I'm more excited about meeting ma and venus

@dementedma Yes! I woke up to torrential rain and panic ordered one. Dont know why when we have a covered space we can use.

Witnesses? I thought I was going to be a BRIDESMAID, I've got a huge flowery lilac frock and everything 🤣😘👰

I think my celebrant has written you in as ring bearer 💍

And I have cake!!! 😂🎂🎉

How exciting having a bus wedding with actual babe guests. Can't wait to hear all about it.

Hello Clubercise, you are of course most welcome to join in with the chit chat. Just post whatever you like. What happened with your mum, did she try to stop once she knew she was ill (or before) and not manage it or was it just too late. I think a lot of us want to stop/cut down because of health concerns. It's just a bugger that it's not that simple isn't it.

Hello all! So excited to hear about a wedding!!! I am trundling along too. Drinking at the weekend but desperately trying to cut down in the week. At least now I am much more aware of what is going down. X

I have Nocesso for the wedding toast. It's a good substitute .

fairenuff

Clubbercise here, under a new, equally imaginative username . I'm ashamed to say, I chickened out and deleted my account, but I'm back!

My mum was a very serious alcoholic, as in drank a lot every day, often not leaving one room all day, where she just drank and drank.
She was incontinent and very, very depressed. She was like this for years, maybe more than a decade, but I can't exactly remember, with occasional periods of sobriety.

It is very sad, but I feel like she had really cracked it when she died. She was going to AA meetings which made such a difference. But then, I thought she had cracked it at other times and she slipped back. Who knows if she would have done so again?

She (unsurprisingly) had a few health problems as a result. Mainly her digestive system, but also jaundice, something which made her scratch till she bled, blood clotting issues (I think, as she had to go to hospital once after what would have been a minor bleed for a healthy person just wouldn't stop). What we think killed her was her heart though, as she had an alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Tbh, I know more about her death than any of her other health issues, as she didn't really share what doctors told her at her numerous hospital admissions and brushed it off.

I obviously find alcohol a difficult subject and it's hard for me to look at alcohol consumption objectively, which is why I'm being cautious and stopping for a bit.

hi club so sorry to hear your mum's story. one many of us can relate to.
I think we should change the thread title to mention the bus wedding? does it have to be the original OP who aks for that?
Babes, there is so much to do! We need to gather a full congregation, make garlands, learn some hymns (might have to get my triangle out) and buy hats!! Someone get a bow tie sorted for Barrie!
FFS look at the cobwebs in here.
faire get down off the roof rack and make a list. Time is off the essence...

Hi Babes, I'm still here 👐. On holiday this week. Drinking more
frequently than I'd like, but moderately. More convinced than ever that the citalopram has wiped out my willpower but reluctant to stop it as it's been a miracle for all my menopause symptoms.
Hope all have a good bank holiday.

Clubb I'm so very glad you decided to come back. Stick with us, we can all help each other along the way. Thank you for sharing your mum's journey and her battle. I think you are making a very healthy decision to stop drinking and obviously it will be very personal to you. But whatever happens please remember that you're not alone. Here, we just get it. So this is a safe place to share your thoughts and experiences.

Ma I'm on it. Making a list (and checking it twice). Wedding central here we come. Hmm, now dusting off your triangle you say...