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

Crafty why did they feel the need to ask you that? Rude. I'd be tempted to reply with the same question with with emphasis on the YOU?

Hope everyone's doing ok tonight. I weighed myself today - more lbs up from Xmas than I though. Fuck.

But at least I'm sober for tonight. One day at a time.

lovely to see everyone on here and the bus crowded,
Welcome tinkerbell
I did C25K Week 1 run 2 tonight, outside in the dark and cold! Get me. By "run" I mean walk a bit very slow jog for 60 seconds, repeat so not a proper run but it all counts. Week 1 of Dry January done.
I might post pictures of the room but would be too ashamed of the before ones. Main problem is my damp patch fnar, fnar! i mean the one on the ceiling. Various roofers have patched the roof when we could afford it but all agree the whole roof needs to be replaced at terrifying cost. It's a shared property so we would only have to pay one third but the two lots of downstairs neighbours will never agree the work needs done even though I've invited them up to see my damp patch for themselves! it's all in the deeds etc and they would have to pay ultimately, but I just can't face the hassle and ill will. Maybe its a false economy to get the room done while there is clearly water in the attic somewhere . Th attic seems to have some kind of firewall half way across so you can't actually get through to this end of the building to inspect the damage.
Sorry, all of that had nothing to do with not drinking.....

Ach ma, what a scunner about your roof. I’m adding another babe request to see the transformation of ma’s maison.

I started my dry January yesterday, late to the party as ever...

I am walking like a demon, accompanied by the ever trusty Terrorist. It was so lovely in the wood today, all misty and soft focus.

lux come and sort me out, for I have let the grooming slide somewhat. I am growing in my eyebrows a bit, so I have a long fringe to hide the beetliness? Beetleyness? Beetlishness? Feck it. The patchy hairy slugs of doom.

Away to read back a bit x

hope I have scrubs I can lend you if you want a disguise for your Villanelle day out. Mask? Gloves? Cap? Clogs? Just say the word. I loved Killing Eve. A good soak in Vanish and job done.

I can’t help you with apps, I’m still of the sing Judy Garland at the top of my lungs when I’m walking the dog in the middle of nowhere. With a bit of Barb, Donna Summer and Greatest Showman for good measure. My quiet time is an Epsom salt bath with a dribble of sage oil. In the dark, with a candle. That works for me.

I can lend you the Terrorist if you like? She’s a dab hand at the stealth clearing up leftovers therefore halving calorie intake. She attracts handsome men too, she’s an awful flirt, truly ‘a man’s dog’ this would skelp the arse of online dating and it would be free

efc I watched Birdbox yesterday, it made me scared and sad in equal measure. What did you think of it? I won’t say any more in case someone wants to watch it. It flew by for me, I was on the edge of my seat.

looking that is so interesting about self-medication as a 'justifiable' reason to hit the bottle. But you know there are other ways - and feel free to slag off the bitch all day long. I do hope your day went really well - that Monday dread is so so debilitating. crafty that is one snidey comment - was it in response to you saying you were doing DJ? What a smug twat - but like you I am the master of the time-delay on the perfect retort. But better than punching someone on the nose - at least I have always had some restraint on that if nothing else.

Well done on Day 6 Ghost I hope you are feeling great. For me, Day 4 - done. No particular challenges, and plenty of rewards thanks to no hangover anxiety, and the lovely concept of sober rewards. Today was full of treats thanks to lots of prep yesterday. My kids slightly knocked off by smoothie and porridge for breakfast. I too have 2 x human dustbins, so prepping a decent breakfast for them is good for my conscience! Haven't planned towards treats yet but will go to bed and mull it over - if Pukka Night Time doesn't knock me out first! But, no crazy cleaning impulses today either so maybe I'm regaining my balance. Hope booze cravings don't follow too soon.

Sweet and small can you explain the Boing - with or without gusto? Am intrigued.

You lot are brilliant. Thank you all so so much - haven't NC everyone, sorry - I'm off to my cosy bed for hopefully a sound sleep (have been waking up in the night as I havent knocked myself out with wine of an evening. Hoping that will settle)

Night NIght xx

baking the M&S raspberry Jaffa cakes are like green opal fruits. They are the absolute business and if you ever see someone skulking past with 3 or 4 boxes in their basket it may be me. And they won’t have a couple of bags of maple bacon crisps nestling beside them. Oh no. And they definitely won’t be joined by a reduced pack of crudités with some hummus.

And the dog won’t be eating carrot sticks while I shovel hummus up with my crisps.

Doomed.

Sweet dreams slings, wishing you a good night and a clear head for the coming week.

tinkerbell this is a good bus to be on, welcome aboard.

sweet she has grown up a wee bit. When everything around me is chaos or despair she pulls me out of the darkness into the sunlight.

Apart from now because it’s blowing a hoolie and she’s spooking at all the rattling outside.

Night night sweet and sweetdog

Morning all
Yes the day has come when I have to get back to work. Sad as I have had a lovely break but it does tend to put a bit of routine back in life and at least it’s only a 4 day week.
I’ve booked a yoga class for lunchtime so that’s something to look forward to as long as I get to go.
Dubh your Terrorist looks gorgeous. My Trusty dog also looks lovely and innocent but has taken to legging it as soon as he gets over the woods and gets a scent of something. Head down and selective hearing.
Slings it’s weird how we immediately feel like we have to get the booze out just to be sociable. When I go to visit my mother in law I know she looks forward to getting the wine out with me and having a few drinks and I would feel bad to not join her. It’s a sort of expected thing. That’s the type of situation I find difficult. A preconceived idea by other people (and myself of course) which is hard to break out of.
efc I want to watch bird box as I’ve not heard anyone that hasn’t enjoyed it but looks rather scary.
ghost those Xmas lbs are so annoying but hopefully dropping the alcohol means dropping a few lbs this month at least. I keep telling myself that more exercise and no booze will shift it but think I may be deluded and am actually going to have to cut down on decluttering by eating all the Xmas chocolate that’s left.
Welcome to tinkerbell and hi to sweet small ma wee hope baking crafty venus and all you other lovely babes. You are all doing so well.
OK so I am actually going to have to get out of bed now. So the working week begins.

Morning All.

Dubh, no wonder she's a man-magnet, those are 'looking-straight-into-your-soul-eyes' (now, take me to the treats!). Sweet dog got a bit agitated before bed last night, but settled and slept through. I've conclude next-door must have a rat in their shed, and it's run is on their side of the shared fence, I've ruled out anything bigger and I think it would have to be a spectacularly stupid pheasant to be strutting around after midnight.

Ma, you would feel so awful if you spent the money and it was ruined, but I understand how you feel about dealing with the neighbours.

Hope, I will be trying that recipe this weekend, looks fab. My Mum has a 'Gardener's Pie" recipe that she refuses to give me so that it stays special for when I visit!

Loved Killing Eve, I think, you're right, Small, the first two episodes are a hell of a lot to live up to. Big advantage of not drinking is seeing drama through to the end (The Brexit Drama on C4 last night), I think I persuaded DH I was awake for all of the ABC Murders over Christmas

Anyway. Work to do, dog to walk, so sorry not to name check everyone. Back later.

Quick check in before work! Hope everyone is well and managing ok?

I’ve put on 2lb in the last week! So much for sober weight loss!

Don't despair, efc you are probably replacing your calories with sweets and snacks (I know I am*. Your bloody sugars and metabolism will start to even out. I Try to shift snacking from sweet to savoury first, then from salty and fatty to healthy. It takes about three weeks.

Just looking at Terrorist and going ‘ahh!’

Ghost. It was a cab driver clearly thinking he was making conversation! He’d already asked about Christmas and I’d said I don’t really ‘do’ it. I did have to deflect it when a friend started quizzing me about not drinking. Felt tempted to say ‘I have a problem with alcohol - can I talk to you about it?’ I suspect folk would scarper once called out on their nosiness. .

Very impressed with all the babes getting the running shoes on. ‘Must do better’ for me in terms of exercise.

And efc the weight loss can take a while. Keep calm and carry on and results shall happen.

dubh the Terrorist is lovely!

Everyone is doing so well and I love having everyone back on here to chat to. Mutual support is the way forward.

I'm wondering about a sneaky weigh on the scales but will be depressed if no loss. My trousers definitely feel looser though, I'm not imagining it. I don't have to do that shimmy wiggle thing to get them over my lard arse now!

On a train in Fife... Glorious evening

Venus, that's gorgeous - thanks for sharing. Wish I were there too.

All fine here. Incredibly effficient at work, piling through admin at home - but very tired again by 7pm. Feel a bit bored, but not giving up on giving up - as we've all acknowledged this is a transitional time for our minds and bodies to get used to change and the new status quo, and it will take a while to acclimatise. I need to find things really to occupy me, body mind and soul, but don't want to rush into anything too early.

How are all other babes doing?

it was a glorious sunset this side of the water tonight venus
Feeling a bit down. Despite my best effort have only lost a pound. Second night running came home to DH in a foul mood because there's no money and not much food in the house. This is because HE lent £200 to a mate before Christmas and we haven't got it back yet!! Fucking dickhead.
I hate that feeling after a day at work when you pull up outside and dont want to go in.

ma well done on the 1lb lost and sweet I’m definitely snacking more but that’s a good plan to cut that down next!

ma will you get the money back- can’t believe he lent that amount to a friend especially at Christmas- I’m fuming for you.

venus gorgeous picture!

Everyone else hope you are all hanging in there.

I have done my tax return tonight- and if I can do that without alcohol I’m on the right track!

efc I salute your AF tax return! I almost broke doing mine. I might have had a little scream.

Ma. Ah, that feeling of not wanting to go in is not great. I do hope you get things sorted.

Venus stunning picture - envious of your 'commute'.

Evening all, still hanging on to Gerald for dear life, been on the Erdinger since I got home this evening. DH away tonight which he often is and its a real trigger. Normally, he's away - I plough through a bottle of dry white (and maybe then some more), and bury the bottle way down in the recycling, he's none the wiser the next day. When kids were smaller, I'd 'treat' myself to a couple of crafty fags in the garden as well! Oh, girls - the glamour of my life Not tonight though!!

Today I have not had a drink. Tomorrow I will not be furtive and guilty. I can hold my head up a little. That alone is my treat for tomorrow - and as DH will probably be hungover as he is on a work trip I can also treat myself to a bit of smugness and superiority He is so annoying, although he can put it away with the best of them, he is super-controlled and seems to have that regulation moderating ability that I just don't have.

How was work Trust? Great plan to add in a yoga class to soften the blow. I hope you had a gentle day all around. Thanks for the beautiful pictures peeps. Venus that view is balm. And dubh, sounds like the Terrorist is your balm, how lucky you both are to have each other. And then you have us on the bus if you need human babble!!

Early night for me with a book - maybe I'll jot a few gratitudes down first. This forum will feature. Thank you all my lovelies, and hopefully you will all sleep blissfully, esp you Slings

Day 2 done for me (or day 4 out of 8!), in bed with water and my book.

ma that’s a horrible feeling and I’m fuming for you too. Would wearing the smock of smug help buck you up?

venus lovely photo, we get spectacular sunrises and sunsets here on the east coast.

dubh oh those eyes. I’ve got a black lab with those eyes. She lives the wind, chases leaves in the garden. She’s a great ally too, when things are shit.

Hope those of you back at work this week are enjoying having clear heads, and everyone else is hanging in there.

It was another glamorous day here, surrounded by tissues and strepsils. My throat hurts, my head hurts, even my knees hurt, but I am not one to moan . At least I have had zero inclination to drink.

Love the pictures, both the sunset over the water and the beautiful man magnet. It is a real joy to read everyone’s posts, even the talk of tax returns and damp ceiling patches! Everyone is doing great and it’s good to be aboard. Keep smiling babes x

Morning all
Work was good thanks for asking wee. For me, I always think oh here we go again but once I get in I love my job and the people I work with so it’s all good. Doing a class in the middle of the day really helps to put things into perspective. And well done you for being strong in the face of your trigger. You will feel great today.
Beaches that sounds awful. I wish you better.
efc thanks for the reminder re the tax return. I will get on it this weekend. I’m normally filling it in on 31 Jan and scrabbling around for the info.
venus lovely pic. I miss Scotland.
ma that sounds tough. I hope you ended up having a good evening. Well done on the 1lb. You said your clothes were looser. That’s the best indicator. It doesn’t always show on the scales straight away.
Hi small what sort of thing are you looking for to keep you occupied? Like learning a new subject/language? Or more physical like a sport or something?
I totally recommend yoga. It is very calming and a lovely stretch. If I can’t get to a class I just use an app on my phone at home. I used to do a lot more high impact classes but my knees are rubbish now so have had to cut back.
sweet hope sweetdog has settled down a bit and you are getting more sleep. Great advice re the snacks. Hadn’t really realised that I am eating more choc than I would normally because of the alcohol reduction. Thought I was just being a greedy pig (that is also true )
Hi to all you other lovely babes. Have a great day and keep posting.

I messed up last night. Feel crap. Got a busy day with work and kids and stuff and just want to go back to bed. Or back in time. Day 1 again.