Betty - In search of the missing Chip

On several occasions, the Mama's have talked about 'the chip'. For those of you who don't know what the 'Chip' is (or call it by another name), it is the ability to say No to that next glass of wine, beer, tequila or whatever your drink of preference before you regret it the next day - or later that evening. There are some of the Mama's who have the chip, one who doesn't have the Chip so responsibly chooses not to partake in alcoholic beverages, and then there are two who openly admit that they do not have the Chip but belly up to the bar just the same. I fall into the latter category. As a Mama (both running and other) I do realize that I have to be responsible not only for me, but now also for 2 children. Therefor in lack of the Chip I usually don't drink. Well, at home anyway.

But here is the problem. I really enjoy having a drink or two. I always have. It's part of me, who I am and to be honest I really am a very happy and fun drunk. But here is the other problem - without the Chip, sometimes I get myself into trouble. Here is the point where I could tell you about all the crazy, funny, scary stories about my drunk nights, but that would take to long and I really don't have the time. Most of those stories thankfully are back in the days before children and adult responsibility, but occasionally there are one or two from recent times.

When I started training for the marathon, my ability to meet a friend and have a drink became even more difficult and I didn't want to mess up my exercise plan. At least that's how it started. In the past month or so, I have been out with friends more frequently and I have also started back bowling with my team. I don't know about you, but I find it really difficult to bowl and not have a beer. They just go together.
But without the Chip, one beer usually leads to one more, and then before you know it I've closed down the bar and I'm headed off to find the nearest place with karaoke and asking strangers for a cigarette. Because that's what I need when I'm training for a marathon, A CIGARETTE!!!

So if you see me dancing around your neighborhood bowling alley singing 80's pop tunes and asking you for a light, please stop me and say 'Hey, I see that your missing a Chip and I would love to share mine with you. So why don't you put down the tiara and lets head home." I promise I'll thank you in the morning.