I stumbled across my next idea for this blog when chatting with a colleague a few days ago. While we all have addictions of sorts – some more or worse than others – a fun topic to consider are “shoe-aholics”. My mother – for one – is a “shoe-aholic”. She has multiple closets just to accommodate her lifetime collection of shoes. Now, this addiction is popular among many ladies in our society and can be expected to pass one’s approval without discernment. I, on the other hand, do not consider designer shoes to be a top priority when my preferred addictions trump a new pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. The following may be some reasons I tend to overlook a new pair of shoes in lui of one my other addictions:
I have a substance abuse problem – called ANIMALS. While rescue animals provide me with more than the instant gratification of a new pair of LV stilettos, they also require ongoing care, food and maintenance of accommodations. My addiction tends to eat a hole in my pocket and leaves me little change to spend on retail therapy.
“It is not about the shoes but what you do in them”. I am just as likely to go to church in a pair of muck boots as I would my “Sunday Best” shoes. All that is required is to brush them off a little with your horse’s grooming brush…and Viola. I can worship as easily in my muck boots as I can to seek forgiveness for spending my last dollar on a new pair of shoes.
Then, there’s “shoepidity”...the stupidity of wearing shoe art, despite extreme discomfort. Granted, I have a few pair of shoes that prove to be uncomfortable after wearing them for an hour so. Those are saved for the wedding or funeral, while I keep a back-up of more comfortable shoes in my vehicle for the receptions. However, I am all about comfort and personally feel that choosing to wear a 7″ pair of heels out for a night of dancing on the town is simply ludicrous only to win a compliment or two on the fact that you spent your entire paycheck on a foot compress.
“Shoes speak louder than words”. Don’t get me wrong, everyone has a certain affinity for varying material objects. But, I would rather engage in a meaningful conversation with someone than to feel they are distracted by the shoes I am wearing.
“One will have big shoes to fill”. While this may be true in some cases, I would prefer to earn my own different BIG shoes to fill. For an example, in a job setting, you may follow a successful employee. Instead of dwelling on the pressure to achieve the same success as your predecessor…why not consider bringing your own fresh, creative ideas to the table. This will enable you to create your own success story…not someone else’s.
I once witnessed a statement made by someone seeking socialite status some years ago…“you can tell a lot about someone by the shoes they wear”. Although, I did not take the time to ask her exactly what she meant by this statement, I would have to disagree with this remark. I have known people on the edge of poverty wearing mismatched shoes with holes in them and separated soles that were the nicest people I have ever meant. I have, on the other hand, met some people wearing top designer shoes that were the most shallow, superficial people I have ever met. It goes without saying that this world can coexist in harmony and without judgement, whether you are a single parent living from paycheck to paycheck, living in a homeless shelter, at the top of your career game, the elite and wealthy, etc. It is simply a matter of living your life with meaning and purpose, love, kindness, peace, passion, compassion, humbleness, treating others like you would want to be treated and most importantly, realizing that no one is above or better than anyone else. There will be situations you may not agree with or resonate with but it is how you handle those circumstances that will reveal who you really are.
Long traveled roads are always better than shortcuts in the long run. Additionally, having the biggest house, the best vehicles, being members of the most elite clubs, and trying to achieve this status with material gains and/or property assets does not warrant unfounded entitlement. In fact, the status seeker will never be happy because they are not living a life of purpose or meaning but instead, seeking misguided symbolism of happiness.
I have been known to mend my riding boots and barn boots with duct tape until I could afford to purchase another pair.
I am terribly rough on my shoes and have been known to wear shoes until they completely disintegrate. In my line of work, there may be quite a few consecutive days of site visits. On one visit, you may walk the entire property, showcasing the product you are selling. This could take anywhere from 1 hour to 8 hours, depending on whether or not off-site outlets are on the agenda.
One time, while I was on business travel, the strap on my slingback dress shoes (accessorizing my business attire) broke while walking midway thru Kennesaw State University campus. While contemplating the frustration of not only having to walk barefoot all the way back to the vehicle, but driving all the way back to the hotel to retrieve another pair of shoes, I fell behind on my appointment calls by 2 hours. It was this crucial outing that made me vow to always carry a spare pair of shoes.
Before learning the above lesson, if I had a shoe to give out on me at at the office, Scarlett would always come to my rescue. Scarlett has been one of our long term wedding coordinators and she is known to store 8-10 pairs of shoes under her desk. While we wear a different size shoe, she would always have something I could get by with wearing until I could take a break and run home to fetch another pair of shoes. On more minor occasions, Laurie always keeps shipping tape in the storage closet…or you can hobble over to the maintenance shop for more durable duct tape.
I have long, narrow, flat feet and while a height of 5’10” has it’s advantages disadvantages, I always opted for flats or kitten heels for obvious reasons. While you can always find a beautiful pair of stilettos or attractive shoes in smaller sizes, finding a good quality pair of the aforementioned in a size 9 1/2 is not not quite as easy.
Flip flops are the main staple in my closet…lol! Living on a coastal island, flip flops are a common “go to” and widely accepted in every outlet…except perhaps a professional corporate place of business. Any shoe that does not enclose my awkward feet or cause any unnecessary discomfort or compression is my best friend! Comfort before style has always been my motto.
Shoes and handbags make the outfit. I cannot recount the number of times my mother would throw this lecture at me. I, in turn, would say ” why can’t the outfit make the shoes and handbag”? This may be a good time to add that my mother has as many handbags as she does shoes. Me? I have a comfortable assortment of handbags…some with price tags on them. My problem is that I never take the time to switch my purses out. I have been known to go a whole year carrying the same handbag.
Re-purposing shoes. My mother and daughters have been guilty of trying to throw out shoes of mine that they considered unfit to wear outside of the house, let alone in public. I would always correct the err of their ways, exclaiming that duct tape, super glue or zip ties would give them refurbished life. By this time, my poor mother would deny that I was her daughter…lol!
The one exception to this rule were the shoes I wore when I was pregnant. In each pregnancy, my feet were not only swollen most of the time but they would sweat profusely inside of my shoes. Now, by the time you wore the few pair purchased in a size 10 or 11 to accommodate your pregnant feet for a few months, you had a recipe for the worst smelling dragon breath on the planet.
On one occasion, I removed my shoes while driving the girls home after school/work. A few moments later, one of my unsuspecting daughters quickly exclaimed for me to pull over…that it smelled like my vehicle was on fire. This still remains to be a favorite joke with my girls to this day!
On an earlier occasion, I removed my shoes, as I reclined on the sofa one night. The girls father (who had been reading the newspaper and therefore unsuspecting of my prior move) quickly jumped to his feet to notify me that a dog or cat must have just had an accident nearby and went to search for the evidence. When he realized that the smell kept bringing him back to the sofa where I was reclined, he realized the smell was coming from my shoes. With this less than pleasant discovery, he snatched the shoes up while pinching his nose and threw them outside! He then quickly retreated to other areas of the house until the odor dissipated. FOOTNOTE: the dogs would not even go near the shoes (in the back yard) the next morning…LOL!
Regardless of the shoes I deem fit for the occasion, I do, at least, have enough pride to make sure my toenails are groomed appropriately. If I have neglected to find time for a pedicure, it goes without saying that I will not wear flip flops or open toe shoes in public. The barn may be the only exception, if I am not riding. After all, my horses are only concerned about the hands that feed them…not the feet that carry those hands.
“If the shoe fits”…A wise mentor once told me that the one thing we own in our lifetime is our opinion…and that no one could take that away from us. I was young at the time and did not take the time to consider these true words until later in life. You never really own a car, house, boat, furnishings, club memberships, etc., as you cannot take these with you to the afterlife. You, can however, take your opinions – good or bad – with you. Not everyone is going to see eye to eye on certain matters…it is our responsibility to coexist with varying personalities, opinions, egos, etc. If we do not resonate with a certain character, politely step aside…one shoe does not fit everyone.
NOTE: This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is not a testament to demean those that share a passion for shoes, the biggest house, the largest assets, the elite club house membership, etc… In fact, I will be the first to say: “if you have it, baby, flaunt it while you can…more power to you”!
Just be forewarned, though, if I should accept your invitation to an event, do not be offended if I arrive in my run down pick up truck, wearing rain boots, muck boots, tennis shoes or flip flops. Additionally, you may catch a glimpse of shavings or hay in my hand bag…but rest assured my savings on treatments for bunions, corns, calluses and membership fees will buy me a lifetime supply of duct tape!
Homestead Memoirs 