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

small!!! good to see you again.
Opal fruits you say? Share, you say? I think not.....

hope?

Did I hear ma right?!? Ye hoofed yon oot? Have a big awd bosie. I am that proud o ye.

Proud.

And did I see small? My cup runneth o’er. It’s just Horlicks but it’s running o’er just the same.

beaches and venus have a bwah, how are ye?

mint did you ever get back into the veterinary world? You are doing so, so well! I wouldn’t say I’m dry, perhaps slightly damp.

I’m working lates tomorrow, two weeny glasses of fizz today. I can stop at one or two now and that is once or twice a week.

I am a fat bugger though. (I’m looking at you Lidl and your greasy baklava mince pies. And you M&S and your raspberry Jaffa cake thingies).

I didn’t manage to start dry January, so I am back on oor bus. I managed a good chunk of AF last year but went skiting off again after a shitty comment from my boss. I had a pretty bad illness phase, the worst in 6 years. I didn’t take time off but I was hobbling. I was called in for a meeting and his parting shot was to say it was maybe time I thought about another career. Despite me saying I was hopeful it was transient (it was) and that the only thing I couldn’t do was get up from the floor unaided.

I went home in a rage and opened a bottle of wine. I should have just hoofed him in the stabilisers.

Dubh and Ma - technically didn't kick him out - he walked out in February after a row with my son. But I didn't let him back in. And am rather regretting having allowed him back in on a temporary basis because he offered to decorate his old office so my daughter can have a bigger bedroom. Big mistake. Shall fill you in one day but off to bed now. Well done to all fighting the WW today x

I'm just going to sit here quietly and contemplate the scenery for a little while.

Dubh M&S do raspberry jaffa cakes?! Why did I not know this. I'm also putting on weight thanks to the vast quantities of mince pies, chocolate and crisps we've got lying around.

Hope Probably not my place to say but I don't think you should let the ex back in either. You'll do better just you and the kids.

Well done everyone on day 1, 2 or 3 now. As someone said upthread ODAAT is the best way earlier on. Just keep trying until it sticks. After a while you get used to being AF and it doesn't seem like such a massive loss. I quite like driving myself to things. I live quite rural now and getting to places if I'm not driving is a bit of a pain and expensive.

I would like to say I feel extremely healthy for my year without alcohol but me and DS seem to be trapped in our usual winter cycle of colds and sickness. Today I'm full of cold so we haven't actually left the house. I have got dressed though. Hoping I feel better tomorrow. I wanted to take DS into the city for a day at some point this holiday and he goes back to school on Monday.

Dubh, Sweet, Hope and everyone! Oh, it’s good to be back. I was going to write ‘home’ but that felt weird.. but also a bit right. Is that odd?

Day 1.5. Feeling fine, but slightly at risk of thinking ‘this is going well, what’s the big problem with quitting’. Maybe the big problem isn’t that there is one big problem, but lots and lots and lots of smaller snares to trip you up, and you never quite know how long they’ll lurk for.

Anyhow, onwards and upwards, waves to all.

OK, stopped staring at the scenery. Last year I manage 165 days AF, but the year didn't end well on that score. Still, my best year yet. I'm starting this year with the aim of a 100 day run (today is day two).

Spent today working from home, contributing (briefly) to the Jamie Bulger Thread on AIBU as the only person who has apparently seen the whole film - but trying to stay away from the arguments. Then went to a pre-op appointment for vein surgery next week - I have to take a pregnancy test. I know it's sensible but I really wanted to ask if they were joking.

Anyway Nothing and Tonic poured, just waiting for Luther (and yes, I am objectifying Idris Elba!).

Hi Sweet. If I may, can I join you on the 100 day aim? That sounds like a good sort of a timeframe.

You've done it before Small we can be awesome together!

Hi everyone

Dh just off to the shops to buy beer- so much for the Dry Jan support! I’m going to have cuppa and watch football. Playing it forward to tomorrow and I don’t want a hangover and to have given up at day 3.

Didn’t sleep well last night after watching Luther! I never get scared by anything on tv except that programme!

That's tough efc. But just think how chirrupy you'll be tomorrow. You need to reframe what it is about Luther that keeps you awake .
But day there is tough, it's when you start thinking about rewards - make sure you have something positive in mind.

'three' not 'there'

Went for massive lunch with DS today... loving having him home from University. DD staying at a friend's. Had row with ex which is first in a while and proof it was a bad idea not to maintain my distance. Have eye infection. Having a bit of a maudlin evening watching DIY SOS. Wondering what you all do to calm down stress when not drinking? I really wish there were a pill to make all the mental chatter go away. Then again, there probably is and I would probably get hooked on it . Any good Mindfulness type book recommendations?

so good to see so many old faces here - and dubh - fit like quine?
We have missed your humour and your t'interbosies so much. small is right, this place is like home. I am lowcarbing and Dry januarying. DS ate my prepped low carb dinner for his lunch and DH is having beer.
I had a plate of cauliflower and am drinking tea.
Day 3. Smashed it!!

Well, I'm sat in front of the football with a horlicks. I've got a bastard of an ear infection and I'm on antibiotics, strong painkillers and steroid ear drops. I feel so shit I don't think I could even manage a beer right now, so I'm treating this as an enforced detox to set me up for January.

Well done everyone trying. 3 days more and we'll be over the first weekend in January.

Ghost that is me but eye rather than ear infection . Twice in one month! Hope you feel better soon. Ma will be joining you low carbing from Monday once endless meals out stop. DS and I got through 29 dishes between us at a Japanese all you can eat restaurant. Only some of them were edamame beans. (Though the only carbs I had were in temaki rolls ... we go for the money dishes, teppenyaki and sashimi all the way. It is tragic that we have an actual strategy for sushi). Will have my work cut out for me when back at the gym tomorrow

Hope You're not using the same eye make up are you? It should be chucked if you've had an eye infection or you can reinfect. Same with contact lenses and the cases.

Ghost Ear infections are the worst but it does mean you'll have done the really hard days not fancying a drink anyway.

efc That's really unsupportive of DH! You need to abstain and ensure you're suitably smug tomorrow when you're hangover free.

I can hardly breath still. I'm still just as full of cold as I was this morning. Getting my last Beechams of the day today shortly. I was hoping for a big improvement so we could go out somewhere good tomorrow.

Day 2 nailed.
In bed with fruit tea.
Am saving Luther to binge watch when ‘d’h is away, he makes stupid comments.

Sorry to see eye and ear infections- hope they clear up soon.

I didn’t have a drink and now I’m off to bed and up for an early run.

I’d quite happily be chased through London by a clown as long as Luther was right behind- swoon!

Good morning!!
Feeling boingy!
Got over colds and coughs etc. Had a fab time with family and friends over the Xmas period.
Now back to fitness and eating properly today.
Walking dog then yoga.
Have a great day everyone.

Morning All.

Enjoy your boing, Trust - bad night for me but I know it will get better.

Hope, Ghost I hope yo both get better soon. Slings best to savour it on your own!

Happy AF day Babes.

How was your run, EFC? I am the world's worst runnner but am really noticing an improvement in my performance stats (never thought I would have such a thing!) over the last couple of days, when not running with a permanent semi-fug of hangover.

Sweet, sorry about your bad night, you know it will get better. I checked my sleep app this am and again, my sleep patterns for the last couple of days have been radically different from those when drinking - big chunks of light and deep sleep as opposed to manically oscillating slivers of each. I already feel boingy (yay, Trust), so I have to ask myself - again - why, when I know it feels so good not to have had a drink, do I keep lapsing back? Answers on a postcard please.

Sorry, every time I try to check back upthread my screen freezes so apologies for not NC everyone - but hope those with ear/eye infections wake up feeling better. And remember the vit B which for me really works when I am stopping drinking. Can't remember the physiological reasons why this is supposed to work, and it may be totally psychosomatic, but for me it does seem to help keep me on an even keel. Hope - hope the gym goes well and that you feel perkier today.

Onwards and upwards, babes.

PS - despite my being convinced it is Tuesday, it appears to be Friday. Does that mean we need Friday evening treats? Do I need to go out and buy a footner?

Good morning everybabe,

Poor d is unwell again and I’m facing a battle royal to get her well. Was sorely tempted to dive into the gin last night but resisted. It really wouldn’t help.

Nevertheless, I’m determined this is going to be a better year, I need to really look after myself to stay strong for my girl.

I’m in full warrior mode.

Great to see lovely sweet and smallfox and I’ll try to get to know the newer posters soon.

morning wonderful babes - so glad to find you all again!

am doing ok here, xmas was fine etc, am having to be very strong and positive right now, dh not well at all, sudden and traumatic MH issues, i think its years and years of too much work and not enough down time, but he really needs me (and i need him) so putting him first and ignoring all cravings and self pity. wont do me any harm AT ALL to stop being selfish and tend to his needs first!

dd, dsil and dgs are as fabulous as always, just lovely people really and so very supportive, im very lucky! so

TODAY I WILL NOT BE DRINKING

good luck and odaat lovely babes