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

Ma I felt like that last year doing dry January. Previous years I was always climbing the walls and then failing around half way through. Last year it was different but I don't know why. It was also very successful although I was hoping I'd learn to moderate but I'm too scared too try.

Hope I'd be gutted about the make up. I hate throwing expensive stuff out. Hope you didn't mind me asking. I think I enter work mode sometimes when people mention eye things!

Sweet I'll have a read of that article later. There's a programme on channel 5 about drinking next week. I can't remember what day though but I was thinking of having a look at it although I don't watch much on channel 5 usually.

Welcome Weewee Well done on your first days. It does get easier. I don't miss the wondering if I embarrassed myself feeling at all.

Hope everyone's having a good day. I'm about to go for for Sunday dinner at my parents. Looking forward to it. It's been ages since we've had one with all the Christmas stuff going on.

Cant believe the first week of DJ is almost done! How are we all doing?
Is anyone else having problems with the site? I keep getting the allow cookies message popping up on EVERY thread I open! it's driving me nuts. Have emailed MN but no response.
Have just tried making some low carb peanut butter and banana pancakes for me and DS. I think the verdict was...."interesting". We agreed, edible but not great. Ah well, keep trying.

Hey Ma - you're sounding super chipper: I'm delighted (though not necessarily likely to ask for your pancake recipe!).

I'm ok - been a good weekend and I have managed a couple of meals out with friends without really craving alcohol, which I'm pleased about. Predictably, it is now I'm at home catching up with admin etc that I really want a drink - but I'm feeling strong, clutching my Becks Blue and I think/believe I'll be fine for today. I'm also devouring helpful podcasts at the moment - I've been listening to the Doctors' Kitchen health/nutrition ones, and whilst not specifically about alcohol, all the good sense on nutrients etc does make me more determined not to undermine the good work and the purity of my microbiome (whenever I locate it) with a vat of booze. I'm super tired though - anyone else feeling that? I'm sleeping really well and waking rested, but am shattered by mid pm.

Hope all babes are doing ok

hey small sounds like you are doing well. i am feeling good at the moment. The pancakes were redeemed by the veggie burgers which DS rolled his vegetable-hating eyes at while I made them but scoffed two quite happily and pronounced them OK. High praise indeed. I'm having Heineken AF tonight and have had an N&T so still on track. Definitely have more energy than usual which is good.
How is everyone else getting on?

Hi small sweet and ma sound like you’re all doing well!

Productive Sunday here and so lovely not to be hungover! 1 hour dog walk, then church (45min sermon-urgh), 10 mile run and just watched Birdbox. I’m definitely in the more energy camp- just hope it lasts for work tomorrow.

wow efc a 10 mile run! I couldnt do a 10 mile walk!

Hi all,
Day 6 as good as over, not too difficult this year & oh, the sleep! The lovely, lovely sleep.
Sadly injured achilles just before Christmas so nothing more exciting than a couple of short slow jogs, testing it out.
Hope next week continues without too many struggles for all.

Hi all
May I clamber on please ?
Started new job on Wed . First time full time in many years so having to make some real changes . It's my dream job and I have 12 months ( secondment ) to show I can do this ... was AF Wed and thu and plan to be AF Mon Tue ( maybe Wed depending on if have a date night with DP ) and thurs this week .
I have to do this so please pin my backside down to the seat !!!
Hope everyone else is having a pleasant start to 2019 and be lovely to join you .

Hi all, I am still on track but this is largely down to a horrible virus so have been catapulted to day 6 with little effort on my part.

Well done on the new job tinkerbell, that is a great motivation to reduce your drinking.

Anne yes the sleep, that is one of my favourite rewards from not drinking.

Ma Ok is high praise indeed from a teenage boy faced with a homemade vegetable burger - I know, I have two of my own teenage boys. Although the youngest one did make us chocolate mousse for dessert tonight

Well done to all for getting through the first weekend, we are on our way

Hi all, So the decs are all down and it’s back to work ‘properly’ tomorrow. I’m feeling very much in awe of all the runners here - I manage weedy runs on the treadmill at my gym as I’m not brave enough to run in the rain and cold. We have quite a lot of booze in the house due to people bringing/gifting it. I’ve really noticed how it just, y’know, stays there when it’s only DH drinking it - realised how quicky it would be gone if I were sharing it with him. It feels a bit weird and sad just eyeing it - like a relationship you know is bad for you but was so much fun when it wasn’t being crap...oh wait! Onwards ODAAT and all that.

Welcome Tinkerbellx congrats on the new job, I'm sure you are already amazing, and will be even more so without a foggy head. Another benefit I'm looking for with my job. Clarity and focus - I just did an annual budget - like I said before, strange things are happening to me .

Hope you enjoyed the Heineken AF ma - I treated myself to an Erdinger which was absolutely delicious and made it feel like an occasion (not sure that I'm supposed to be masking things already, but hey - ODAAT!)
small a couple of meals out with friends? That is really impressive, well done. And as for 10 miles efc that is brilliant, good on you.

More cleaning for me today - nothing extraordinary except how much more motivated and energetic I felt. In fact - packed lunch ready for tomorrow, smoothies in fridge ready to whizz in the morning.... Kids will come down to respectable kitchen and a chance of a decent send-off (back to school tomorrow, yayyyyy).

Mondays always a hellish day at work, but can at least give a good account of myself and have a chance of winning with a clear mind and a positive attitude. Normally at this time on a Sunday I have pretty bad anxiety and a bit of self-loathing, as it's normal to be hungover and a bit embarrassed or regretful after a Saturday night, isn't it?

All of this I have prepared as my Sober Luxe present to myself for tomorrow. Can't pinpoint today's - maybe writing this now?

Sleep tight all, and thanks so much for sharing your news, battles and secrets. It really helps.

Hi everyone - well as Beaches says week one almost done. Well done all of us!

Ma your new bedroom sounds a top plan - hope you are going to share progress / photos with us. You deserve something lovely. I keep thinking I need to decorate my shabby house which has not changed much since WB moved out in February - but then I look at the mounds of clutter that I have neither the time nor headspace to deal with and think no decorator would ever get near! Am going to a goal setting workshop next week with a rather more organised friend so maybe I can get some tips from that.

efc another Everton family here - me, you and Ma make three. Though since WB left I do not watch football. I am just aware of failures via fellow Facebook Toffees.

Baking and Ghost - thanks for asking about my eye, of course I don't mind. It was Blepharitis and some horrible styes. It was disgusting. Don't google it unless you want terrifying photos that will haunt your sleep. Got it due to bad luck and a combination of bacteria and stress and a knackered immune system. But now I've had it once it is likely to recur so am trying against the odds to look after myself and reduce stress. (hollow laugh)

Small lovely to see you dear girl. I had a fairly good weekend - gym Friday, Saturday and today, dinner at a friend's house last night and lunch out with same friend today. Funnily enough last Saturday had dinner at the same friend's with 3 bottles of prosecco between us and 2 gins each and went to the gym the next day and felt terrible. This week in 'Dry January' (my beard!) we had just as lovely a time, lovely food and elderflower water in gin glasses, and went to the gym and smashed it today. Didn't miss the booze at all, then had a bit of infuriating news about the evil activities of my vicious bitch ex-sister in law this evening (I can't even go into it but 10 months after my marriage ended she is still fucking trying to cause trouble for me) and immediately wanted to reach for a bottle of wine. Stress and anger and upset are my triggers and now really wanting a drink because I can't deal with it. To add to it all, have work tomorrow and am DREADING that. In bed determined not to go and find the whisky liqueur in the cupboard (which is so horrible even I didn't want it over Christmas) but feel SO tense. I am definitely a stress drinker and wish I had a better outlet for it (brutal, long drawn out murder would be good in this case but sadly illegal ).

On a happier note, so fab to see SayWhen, Sweet, Margie, Dubh, Beaches, Slings and other familiar faces. Am looking forward to getting reacquainted. And great to meet Wee, Ghost, Trust, Time & all of you (sorry if missed anyone, thread is moving fast) and looking forward to getting to know you.

I also found the Jack Monroe article inspiring - although ridiculously, bad as it sounds, I still feel jealous reading about people using booze to medicate stress. Even though I KNOW it makes it worse. Even though I KNOW it is not the answer.

My plans for 2019 are the usual - exercise, healthy eating, sorting my clutter and setting boundaries at work so I don't end up working 24/7 and waking up in the middle of the night thinking about it (this one usually lasts less than a week). So if anyone wants to share stress coping tactics please do. (I am rubbish at meditation but want to keep trying so good apps?) Also need to rid myself of toxic ex and his evil sibling and move on - but dating feels wrong and also am as old as Methuselah so guessing dating apps a no (unless there is one called CryptKeeper.com or similar and then wouldn't fancy its members much) I have lurked on the dating thread and it all seems soo... wearying!

Anyway, up in the morning for a 6.15am gym class (I know, I know - but still think you runners are braver in this weather) so shall say goodnight. Here's to a good week 2 xxx

Morning all
Last day of freedom before back to work. I booked this day off so that the rest of the household are back to work and I can have a blissful day to myself. Planning a long dog walk then yoga and maybe a catch up on some TV.
Healthy eating all the way and no alcohol of course.
Just weighed in and am hoping to lose at least a stone in the next 8 weeks (put on 7lbs of that over Xmas ).
Have a good day everybody!

Morning All.

Bloody Sweet Dog kept me up until 1.30 am - he is normally good as gold, in his crate at 10, and not a peep until I get up. But something was bothering him, he kept barking, wouldn't settle when I let him out. I tried sleeping on the sofa with him. Still barking. he ended up finally sleeping on his chair in the study. I was going to be so rested and productive today!

Anyway. Well done everyone who made it through the weekend. Hope take it one step at a time. One pile of paper at a time - get yourself a shredder and imagine each sheet is WB and Evil SIL!

Weewee I don't have a problem with using AF beers etc, particularly at the beginning - Becks Blue is my go to, I find it gets me through those ingrained habits until I can build some better ones.

Corvid as well as bottles staying on the shelves, have you noticed how empty the glass recycling box stays?

Tinerbell, welcome, sit yourself down and have an opal fruit. The more the merrier.

Beaches I suppose you could see sobriety as the silver cloud to your virus . Hope you are getting to enjoy the benefits now.

Ma my DS has turned into a human hoover, so I don't take eating seconds as praise . But one of the things I do to get good stuff into him is make a huge bowl of bubble and squeak with multiple veg and 1/3 red lentils. Gives it a good nutty taste and bulks it out as well as being full of fibre and protein.

Small, efc, AnneBoelyn, Baking, Margie, Saywhen, Slings and all the other Babes on the bus, have a good day.

Boing! (Cautiously).

Morning all. It's day 6 here! I have no idea when I last did 6 days. Probably last January.

How's everyone doing?

SmallFox you should never boing cautiously. It should always be done with Gusto!

Ghost, it is amazing how those days do add up when you do it ODaaT!

I'm tired and achy (Thanks SweetDog!), and can't seem to concentrate. I might give myself a break and take a nap, then start again in an hour or so.

Sweet I like your thinking. I would love to shred my toxic ex-SIL (very slowly and impervious to screams, channelling Vilanelle)

Was in gym at 6.00am today (winning) then pulled back doing Russian Dead Lifts (losing). In agony right now and my meticulous gym rota is in peril. If I cannot drink OR exercise, homicide is a definite option (Googles 'industrial sized shredders).

Done 3 hours of teleconferences and on lunch hour. Round 2 starts in 15 mins! Hope you lot are having a better day.

PS like the bubble and squeak idea. My (insanely skinny) human DS hoover is costing me a bomb to feed now he is home (DD is veggie, we exist on a few cauliflowers a week ) A go to of mine for the whole family is Nigel Slater's lentil and spinach shepherd's pie. Not for low carbers but amazing comfort food

With apologies to you dieters out there ... www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjAnbKd79vfAhVGzoUKHfBVBxoQzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Flifeandstyle%2F2012%2Ffeb%2F12%2Fnigel-slater-vegetarian-winter-recipes&psig=AOvVaw2Pd8uShSJK8hT5nJtxmxjr&ust=1546957319578879

loonig is Vilanelle the one from Killing Eve? I met someone in real life who was just like her - beautiful, big eyes, Russian - she told me she was learning to speak Arabic.

We were on a meditation course and I mistakenly sat in 'her' place. I got the evil eye until coffee break when I apologised, and she asked me to move seats (or move cushions, to be more exact). There was something very, very scary about her....

So, of course LOONIG was meant to be looking

I blame the jet lag.

So good to return from holiday and see a lovely active thread. I know how much support I got from knowing that there was community of people who were trying and struggling and succeeding and wobbling and winning and trying again.

On for a quick whinge.....just me or rude to ask the following as a randomer did with me today: 'so, did you have a bit too much to drink over the holidays, then?' 🤔 I assume the same person would not casually ask if I'd done any class A drugs over the festive season? I told the person somewhat frostily that I don't drink, but was very tempted by sarcasm as a response! I can always think of something witty to say three hours after the opportunity has fled. 😆

Sweet - I agree in principle but my knees aren't up to a boing with gusto, and I am nervous of too vigorous a metaphorical one given my proclivity for relapse. Hope SweetDog behaves tonight.

Hope that is one of my favourite recipes too. So comforting. I once met NS in a cheese shop and the juxtaposition of two of my favourite things/people made me come over all funny. So sorry about your gym experience - I gave up in terror at the mention of Russian Dead Lifts which are way outside my comprehension. Respect to you - and seriously hope you are able to get back to your meticulous routine soon and are not in any lasting pain. On that note, my running/slow shambling seems to have done funny things to the arch of one of my feet. I was terrified it was gout, but suspect I have managed to develop some activity related ailment.

Venus that sounds seriously spooky re Vilanelle (and that person doesn't sound like the meditation was doing her much good either). I am a latecomer to Killing Eve and I absolutely love it, though the series as a whole doesn't seem quite to live up to the promise of the first two episodes which I thought were spectacular. But is is great tv and fabulously well acted.

Corvid - no, it is not just you - that is blatantly rude. Sarcasm of the highest order would have been entirely appropriate in response - but well done you for refraining.

You ok, Ma - still zinging along? And hope you're all doing well, particularly if it is first days back at work - EFC, AnneBoleyn, Ghost, Margie, Trust, Wee, Beaches , Tinkerbell, Dubh, SayWhen and Baking (and huge apologies to anyone I have missed - every time I go up the screen to check if I've missed anyone it freezes and I lose the message, so am just going to trust to your kindness if I've been rude and failed to NC you).

Hope everyone is ok.

Day 1 again here, but with much more determination. I was pretty much doomed to failure when my son and dil came for the weekend bearing gin.

I’ve got a few things on this week, so could do with a clear head, and looking forward to good sleep - I’ve been waking at about 2.30am since before Christmas.

Odaat babes