Society Girl

I just discovered I am now a "Society Girl". After our practice tonight (yes, I am still skating on Tuesday nights) we had our first "General Meeting" of the season (at Boston Pizza with nachos and refreshments). Our club is in the process of becoming a "society" which will help us out immensely -- especially with respect to our eligibility for grants and government funding. This is a very good thing because it turns out that this is actually quite an expensive sport when you factor in the ice time, skating dresses, coaching fees, association dues (regional and national), travel to competitions and hotels, competition entry fees etc........

So, tonight we elected our new board - President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Naturally, I'm breaking into a cold sweat and thinking to myself that I can't possibly take one more thing on without cracking up completely. So, I was extremely relieved when four people volunteered almost immediately. We will have several fund-raising events throughout the year - the first being a garage sale this Saturday. This society girl (member at large only) has donated a few items and hopes to help out - if it works out with our baseball tournament and wrap-up.

At any rate, it sounds like it's going to be fun - and rumor has it that next year we might be competing in France! France!!!!! I already have stars in my eyes!!!! Hopefully I'm past the novice level by then - tonight my fancy footwork (NOT) tripped the woman next to me and we practically all went down like dominos..... And, J's teacher is still sporting a nice (large) green bruise from my grip on her shoulder (holding on for dear life really). Anyway, I am secretly happy that I actually took those skates off the wall, dusted them off, and tried this sport again - it's definitely been a challenge but it's going to be a lot of fun (as long as I remain off of the board of directors!).

Scars on Ice

Although I neglected to mention it yesterday (too busy ranting about road rage), I laced up those figure skates once again last night. And although I'm feeling a tad more "balanced" this week, my feet were just killing me. Throbbing, in fact. Maybe my feet haven't grown, but the bunions sure have! The session went longer and I was thrilled to find out an old friend of mine is on the team. I'm still very shaky, but they were all still very encouraging. Hopefully this attribute will not wane in several weeks - I think it's going to take a while... After our session we headed to Boston Pizza for some refreshments - and DH treated us to some awesome "cow chips" and nachos. It was fun to be out with a group of women and I enjoyed catching up with my friend RW. So, I signed up to be a full-fledged team member! It's my personal challenge - to relearn some of the moves that came so naturally to me 30 some years ago.

Unfortunately though, I woke up this morning only to discover several nasty looking large blisters and scabs on my feet and ankles. Even on the tops of my toes and feet. I should probably look at having those skates stretched - maybe they could do the same for my summer clothes.

By the way, I have not yet managed to read even one more page of that book I started back in January. I tried, but fell asleep two nights in a row - and had to re-read the page I'd already previously started. Twice. But Lo and Behold, my friend MP gave me a book this morning. HER book! A short story written by her! And, signed by her too - with a very thoughtful note! I was thrilled.

Tonight I took J and his friend BP for our Wednesday night swim - we've been going on a pretty regular basis lately. I opted not to join them in the pool tonight - I wasn't sure if the chlorine would bother my feet and ankles - as they're pretty torn and shredded up from my new sport. I really didn't want to flaunt two legs that looked like they'd stepped into a garbarator. And, I was anxious to start my new book! I managed to read it all while they swam - it was very moving and in a few places it actually brought me to tears (which I blamed on the heavy chlorine smell of course). I really enjoyed it - it was a short story called "Love's Blessings" about a couple struggling with the challenges of infertility. I do hope she writes more - she really identifies with some of the feelings a couple going through this has. And, it was way more interesting than that book still sitting on my bed - bookmarked for weeks at page 152. Thanks MP! (aka MG Braden)

No "Blades of Glory"

Tonight I really stepped out of my cozy little comfort zone and attempted something I hadn't done in 32 years. I went out to practice with a local Synchronized (precision) skating team. I had never done this type of skating before, but I did figure skate until I was 15. And, from 1979 - 1981 (while attending University), I actually taught a Can-Skate type program through a local municipality. But even that was well over 25 years ago. So, don't ever let anyone tell you that skating's like riding a bicycle - it's not! I could barely stop, let alone do a 3-turn, mohawk (or skate backwards!). Keep in mind, the emphasis here is supposed to be on team work, correct formations, style, and performing very dangerous manoevres (ie: cross-overs) with complete accuracy in unison with a dozen other well-practiced skaters. I don't know if grasping on to another human body on both sides was a good thing or bad thing - maybe they were holding me up, but if I went down, we were all going down! I was very impressed with how encouraging and patient they all were with me though - my son would have thought it was pretty humorous, to say the least (let's just say we won't need to rent the new Will Ferrell comedy flick). Anyway, it was fun, and I can only improve (if I don't break my neck or leg in the process). And, judging by how my legs feel, I may not have to give up much chocolate after all!