Making it Lovely

Tag: roller skates

  • Roller Skating with Eleanor

    Roller Skating with Eleanor

    I recently took part in a record-breaking attempt to be the longest line of roller skaters, and I dragged my family along. I wanted to skate with Eleanor! August is too young still, and so is Eleanor really. Details, details.

    Eleanor, in Roller Skates

    She already has a pair of adjustable Fisher-Price skates with wheels that lock, so when the guy at the skate rental counter recommended them, I balked. The real deal, I demanded! We were given the cutest pair of ancient skates — toddler size 8. E hated them (“too slippery!”). So we swapped them out for the plastic Fisher-Price skates that she knew and loved, locked the wheels, and took one (long) lap around the rink as E held on to the wall. We both loved it.

    p.s. I think the world record attempt was successful too, but I haven’t heard any official word on that yet.

  • Trying for a World Record

    Trying for a World Record

    (And Why You Should Have a Life List)

    Orbit Skate Center in Palatine is trying to break the world record for the longest line of roller skaters. I found out about it from my Derby Lite ladies, and since breaking a world record is on my Lovely Life List, I figure I ought to go be a part of this one. If you’re in the Chicago area, you should come out too! There’s open skate beforehand, but you have to register in advance to be a part of the record.

    I know a lot of you have life lists already but if you don’t yet, I want to convince you to make one. It’s not about coming up with an arbitrary list of “things to do before you die” and crossing them off; it’s about figuring out what would make you happy and then opening yourself up to those experiences. I probably would have heard about this world record attempt and thought, ‘oh, that’s nice, I hope they make it.’ Having it on my list made me consider it more carefully, and it proved to be the difference between wishing them well versus being a part of it. Now I hope we make it.

    The weekend after the world record attempt, I’ll be in the Color Run. Running in a 5k is also on my list and that seemed like the most fun way to do it, so I somewhat impulsively signed up even though I’m new to running. Sometimes accomplishing items on my list happens naturally or even accidentally, sometimes I have to really work at them, and sometimes I have to take a leap and do something that I’m a little afraid of. Either way, I’m always a little happier after. Life Lists are awesome like that.

  • Eleanor’s First Skates

    Eleanor’s First Skates

    Eleanor has been asking for a pair of skates for the past year, since she’s fascinated with mine.

    The wheels on her skates are plastic and terrible, but they’re adjustable (locked, rolling forward only, and freewheeling) and they fit shoe sizes 6-12. I figure they’ll be good for getting used to being on eight wheels, and eventually we could get her a real pair. Three is a little young for full-fledged skates anyway, right? I chose the green “boy” version so they could be handed down, but Eleanor says we should get August a pink pair.

    Here’s my girl on her inaugural run.

    (Looks like Elle DeGore is working on a kids’ issue.)

  • Elle DeGore

    Elle DeGore


    DTKindler Photography

    I never know how to pose for pictures, let alone pictures of me in my roller derby gear. Angry face? Tried it. I’m not tough! So a wink it is. *Wink!*

    I’m such a dork.

  • This is My Tough Face

    This is My Tough Face

    Grrrr. (I’m so intimidating when I’m on my roller skates at Derby Lite.)


    Outer Focus Photos

    May 20, 2011
  • Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’

    Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’

    On skates! I had my first Derby Lite session on Saturday. I’m pretty bad, but I’m confident that I’ll get better with practice. Now I just need a roller derby name…

    (And yes, I had to watch this after writing that title.)