Saturday, January 05, 2008

Rolling Back the Years


Tonight the family attended a birthday party for some friends - their daughters are turning 12 and 7 this month, and celebrated at the roller rink. The party had the whole place to ourselves - lots of kids were there, skating round and round to Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers music. Hardly anyone wears regular skates anymore - most are inline - and those kids can really zoom around the floor! Many went down - and went down hard - but they popped back up again and kept going. If I went down like that, that would be the end for me. They'd probably have to call an ambulance. I'm just not as young as I used to be. I watched in amusement from the sidelines.

But one by one, my friends - the mommies - decided to have a go at skating. "Come on!" they said. "It'll be fun!" I caved to the peer pressure and went to the counter for my skates - regular skates, not inline for me. Would I even remember how to do this?

But as I stepped onto that wooden floor it all came back to me, and suddenly I was 13 again - whizzing around the floor, the wind blowing my hair. The tunes of Air Supply and Chicago rang in my ears and I noticed the really cute guy sitting in the snack bar. Maybe later he would ask me to skate! After the Hokey Pokey and the Shoot the Duck competition. When they turn down the lights, turn on the disco ball, and call for Couples Only...... Oh, I was looking so cute with my feathered hair and designer jeans......Look! I can even spin around!

Huh? The Birthday Girls are leading us in a dance? What's the Cha Cha Slide? What's the Cuban Shuffle? How are these people doing this in SKATES?? What the heck is the Soldier Boy? Suddenly I'm not so young anymore. In fact, I'm feeling downright OLD. And my ankles hurt. I'm done.

It was a fun time, tho - Daughter and Little Son impressed me with their skating skills, and I think even tho they acted embarrassed, maybe I impressed them a little bit.

15 comments:

D... said...

Soulja Boy is Bear's latest craze. Bro. Adam told me that it's so last year but it's just now making it's way to elementary.

I'm sure you looked Fine out there.

Jillie Bean (AKA Bubba's Sis) said...

Well, last year was only a few days ago, so Bear's not too far behind the times! I think I can learn it - just not on skates, thankyouverymuch.

StaceyG said...

I love love love to skate! B-day parties are a convenient excuse...

Angie said...

Our school has skate night once a month. It's amazing to see all the kids our there on their blades (our skate rink allows rollerblades just as long as they haven't been used outside). They are so good!

Last year I did finally get up enough courage to put on a pair of "regular" skates. I wasn't very good but I never fell. The kids thought it was so funny that Mrs. R was skating. I'm so glad I did it. Every month the kids will come up to me and ask if I'm going to skate night again. I think they like it when the adults/supervisors/teachers skate too.

cjm said...

I was never good at skating. Even the old-fashioned kind. I wouldn't mind trying those tennis shoes that have wheels on them, though. I may have a chance at that...

Misty DawnS said...

LOL, I truly enjoyed reading this - you brought back some vivid memories for me!

Jenny86753oh9 said...

Roller skating...wow...it's been awhile for me too. I remember working for weeks on how to skate backwards with ease. Of course to impress a guy. (...then again he has to know I exist in order for that to work!)

david mcmahon said...

You really are a roll model!!

Stacey said...

fun fun fun fun!!!

I loved me my feathered hair. And if Jamee was being especially nice that night, I'd get her to french braid it. You had designer jeans? I'm kinda jealous. xo

Stacey said...

Thanks for puttin the pressure on Gi/Jenn to put up our photos--I think we can work something out there. ;)

Katie Lady said...

I'm with cjh, never have been too good at skating. But NEVER will I have tennis shoes with wheels on them! Blasphemy!!!

D... said...

Add me to the list of people who have never been good at skating (altho, I loved it). As a matter of fact, I broke my leg skating. How does that happen?

Stacey said...

B/S look what you've gone and started, you...you....you!!! Aww I love you even moreso now that you (and D and GiGi) are willing to put me in a jar and keep me! Pshh--sand art jars. SAND ARTTTT!

Patois42 said...

I love that you took up the challenge. I'd be afraid that I'd break a hip. Then, again, I never learned how to skate, so I probably would have.

Kim said...

Love to skate and had the chance not to long ago with Sam at a school skate. WOW...just like you those memories came flooding back. I too had the feathered hair but no designer jeans. Oh well...I thought I was pretty cool then. :)