Tuesday, April 10, 2012

"Shoes = Friends"

I love shoes!
Have you ever experienced a "Shoe High"?  This past weekend, Todd and I went shoe shopping to replace a pair of my sandals that are broken in the heel and have a horrible stench!  I bought a sporty pair of blue ones (my favorite color) and proceeded to float around the house in a jolly mood and chant phrases like, "I'm sooo rich in shoes!"  A few weeks ago my sixth grade friend Eleanor wrote in her blog about some adorable boots that she had recently acquired and as I read her blog, I felt a bond with her - a bond of "girldome" as we reveled in our new shoes!  Check out her blog at:  http://elliefarmgirl.blogspot.com/2012/02/boots.html.  Her blog post inspired this blog post.  You see, shoes are like accessories, so what you wear on your feet can make or break your outfit!  Allow me to introduce you to some of my shoes.  They're like dear friends, they are fun and supportive!  Enjoy!
My first Dansko shoes
  Look how cute the embroidery is on my Danskos!!!!  These shoes help me stand up straighter and I feel European when I wear them (I'm a hip gal wearin' clogs that are stinkin' cute!).  I floated around the house the day Todd and I bought these together.  I've been to the Mall of America maybe a dozen times in my life and I've bought something there maybe twice.  But, when I saw these shoes, I simply had to delight my feet with them!
    My Danskos quickly became
friends with the other shoes I always
wear to teach in.  Standard black ones by Naturalizers
that I could wear for hours on end and
never have sore feet.  Navy blue ones 
from Cabella's to match more of my "casual" work
Teaching shoes
clothes.  Classic brown Redwings that
are perfectly cute without squishing my toes!  All these shoes work great during the majority of the school year.  But, then there are those few weeks in the fall and spring when a teacher needs to enjoy breezy sandals to accompany colorful skirts and flowing dresses.  Hence the sandals collection you are about to meet.  For 
many years I had one pair of sandals a
year.  I wore them like crazy and they
slowly deteriorated until the next year
when I got a new pair.  Now that I am
older and am learning how to
The sandals collection
indulge in my feminine ways, I have
splurged and gotten myself a variety to wear for years at a time!  Starting from the upper left you will see a pair of black Naturalizer sandals that are extremely comfortable and adorable.  Next to them are my newest pair of blue Croft&Barrow sports sandals that I can hardly wait to wear in Colorado on our vacation this summer!!!!  Under those are fun red Naturalizers that I bought for my cousin Kia's wedding.  You would not believe how many outfits look great with red sandals.  Everyone should have a pair of red sandals.  And, being Naturalizers, they are comfy bumfy!  The brown ones are also Naturalizers that I got while shopping with a friend.  Have you noticed a theme yet?  I love Naturalizers!!!  No, this is not a paid advertisement, just one happy customer!  The next pair of Naturalizers are sleek, shiny black ones that I wore for my friend Amy's wedding.  They are adorable but not as comfortable as the first pair of black sandals I wrote about.  I wear these shiny sandals for special events and church.  The last shoes you see like to hang out with the sandals even though they are merely Wal-Mart silver slip-ons.  I thought I would include these shoes because I slip them on to my feet every time I dress up as the Poetry Princess for school.  These shoes are famous (and were originally bought for my sister Kim's wedding).  They are a bit big and fall off my feet ALL the time, but they have served a great purpose
Flip Flops and Crocs need their own category
and match my silver dress perfectly!
     Part of what is so special about shoes is that they are sentimental.  I've already mentioned shopping for shoes with my husband and friends.  I've mentioned wearing certain shoes for weddings or special events.  I love to tell the story of my shoes to anyone who will listen.  For example, the white flip-flops you see in the next picture have the flag of Brazil on them.  They are the most comfortable flip-flops I have ever worn in my life.  And, they were a gift from my good friend Angie who was a missionary in Brazil.  I love to wear them and I think of Angie when I do.  I feel European in my Danskos and I feel Brazilian in my flip-flops!  The blue flip-flops are from Angie, from Brazil too.  See, I'm shoe rich!!!  Aren't they adorable?  It's almost a shame to put them on my feet and cover up their cuteness!  Now the pair in the middle are Crocs.  I was skeptical about Crocs.... until I tried them myself.  I just couldn't believe that they would be that supportive or comfortable.  Boy, was I wrong!  My mom's doctor suggested she wear them around the house to help her feet and ankles that give her trouble.  I wear mine around the house too.  I love the combo of blue and yellow, so my Crocs make me happy..... while helping me not stub my toe around the house!
My running/walking shoes and my hiking boots
  You have met all my friends that help me teach, make my outfits cute, and make me happy, but now you need to meet two very important pairs of TOOLS.  Yes, these are tools helping me to have a good outdoor sporting experience.  My Nikes keep me active and fit as I walk, run, and grocery shop!  My hiking boots keep my twist-prone ankles safe and my back strong and my feet protected.  I believe strongly in both.  I bawk at the people who hike up mountains in flip flops!  Flip flops have their place, but give me my hiking boots!  These boots have been to beautiful Banff in Alberta, Canada and to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming.  They have hiked the trails of Gooseberry Falls State Park and walked miles and miles of muddy tractor show grounds.  They have been faithful and strong when I needed them most.  See how shoes are like friends?  Fun, supportive, faithful and strong!  I hope I can be the kind of friend to others that my shoes have been to me.  The End!  Now, go, and love your shoes!