Roller World

I remember the first time I ever went roller skating. We lived in Colorado, I have no idea what the name of the rink was, and I stayed on the "kiddie rink" the whole night. And, although it looked nothing like the movie Zanadu, I remember watching the other people (other people meaning my VERY cool sisters) and wanting to go that fast, and look that good, but still trying to manuever my first grade body to not fall.

Well, as I got older (and we moved back to MA), I still continued to go roller skating at Roller World in Saugus. I would go for Girl Scout and school parties. The place would be packed with kids, the snack bar would be filled with smoke and adults (back then nobody was EVER worried about second hand smoke) and it would the event of the school year. I even graduated to Saturday nights when all the really fly people went...oh ya, I was that cool! I can remember at one point taking lessons with my BFF at the time every Monday afternoon. I got so good that I could skate backwards, do the crossover as I turned the corner, and I mastered "shoot the duck". I would always come home with blisters on my feet, but I loved it so much. I loved the music, the lights, and all that went along with it.

Well, about 11 years ago (when I was staying in a place called Project Cope) we got to go roller skating one sunday night, and once again I had a blast. I felt like I was a kid all over again. The surprising thing was that I could get right back up on those bad boys and skate that I had just done it the day before. It truley was just like riding a bike....you never forget!

Well, last night the kids had a school party at a local roller rink and since I had the night off, I told them we could go. Now they had gone a few times before with their old after school program so they were so excited. I wasn't sure if I would skate or not, depending on my foot, but I knew the kids would have a blast. Well, before we got there I decided my foot was feeling good I would give it a try, I mean how hard can it be (just like riding a bike, remember?)

So, we showed at promptly 6:00 and we were the first ones there, but we didn't care, we went in, got our skates laced up and the kids were ready. I have to admit, I was a little nervous standing up, but I faced my fears and just did it, and you know what, IT IS NOT LIKE RIDING A BIKE!! Sure, I got up and remembered how to move, but I had no recolection what so ever on how to stop, skate backwards, and I could forget about shooting the duck. But the most important thing was that in all the times I skated, I had no idea how many leg muscles were used! I was so sore, I thought I was going to die. And to top it off, the good ol' blisters are back.

All in all, we had a great time. There wern't many people there, only about 30, but that was problably for the best because the kids each fell about 26 times and there was no fear of anyone running over fingers or causing a 7 kid pile-up. The kids were so impressed by my skills, but Maddie was annoyed by my dancing (per usual) and we decided that we are going to go to these whenever they come up!

-Meg

I know my body...i think!

My body always lets me know when I need to slow down. About 5 years ago, I was working 35+ hours a week, taking 4 classes and trying to take care of the kids. Well, one day I woke up and it looked like I had swallowed golf balls. I went to the doctor and she gave me an antibiotic (sp?) and that was that. I took it for a week, and literally the day after I finished the medicine, the golf balls came back. I went back to the doctor and she told me that I was running my self ragged and my body was trying to tell me to slow down. Great...like I have the time to slow down. But, out of fear of being completely out of commission, I started getting more sleep, eating more soups ( it builds antibodies), and took advantage of my off time. I eventually got better, and I figured I had learned my lesson.

Well, a few days ago, my right foot started hurting, ALOT!! Now, I have gotten this thing called plantersefeciatiaus (no clue how to spell), which is usually something that happens when I wear flip flops too long (sound crazy) and the bottom of my foot hurts and it goes away after a day or two. Well, this time my toes are hurting, and it has been 4 days. Not normal AT ALL!

So this morning I went to the hospital to see what is going on. Well, after xrays and talking to about 20 medical people, I figured out the diognoses...an infection in my foot, the follow-up plan....stay off my foot for at least 24 hours!! WHAT!! Like I have the time!

So, the good news is that I don't have to work until tomorrow, so at least I didn't have to call in sick and be a jerk! The bad news is that, once again, I didn't listen to my body so it told me in an extreme way to SLOW DOWN! Which is what I am going to have to do. I don't know how, but I have to work on something.

So, now I am stuck home today, and lets just hope I am better tomorrow!

-meg