Feng Shoe

C, a good friend of mine had emailed me saying she put something in the mail.  I'm not the patient type so I wanted to know what it was.  She didn't say.  She just told me to wait.  And that's what I did.  I waited.

After a long day at work, I came home and the hubby had placed a package for me on the kitchen counter.  It wasn't a huge package, so I knew it wasn't any kind of attire.  Was it processed food from CA?  A chicken leg, stone cold ice cream, spinach bagel with cream cheese?  Money?  I don't think she loves me that much to send me money.  But maybe after reading this, C might send some my way ^_^

So opening up the package I see pages of a book.  Crap!  She bought me a book to read.  Doesn't she know I don't read?  I'm more of "book-made-into-a-movie" type of gal.  But let's see what great writing I get to feast my eyes on.

Ahhhhh, C know's me very well.  It is the cutest, cleverest, prettiest, sweeties, funniest book ever.  And to put the cherry on the icing, it's about SHOES!

The tiny book is called "Feng Shoe" by Lao Shu.

"The Shoe that is on sale at a bargain price

has no more or less ch'i than the shoe at a regular price. 

But buying two for one is an excellent thing."

Extract from "Feng Shoe" written by Foot philosopher to the Empress, Lao Shu;

"THE FOUR ELEMENTS"

Fire Energy, residing in shoes that are dressy or the latest thing in fashion, enhances sexiness and creativity.  Fire energy reigns supreme in shoes made of satin or peau he soie.  Consider wearing such shoes when you have an important business meeting.  Do not (and Lao Shu could not have been more explicit on this point) wear them on a first date or when meeting your Internet lover for the first time...you might just be too hot to handle".

Bring on the Summer!

It's May 22nd, and the End of the World didn't happen at 6:00pm.  And now, I have signed on, and noticed that I've been slacking in the blogging department.  Shame on me! 

Note *this blog isn't about bragging.  I enjoy shoes immensely and people have asked how many shoes I have, and this is just a fun way to explain my madness.  Madness I tell you!*

Summer is here.  Well not exactly.  Apparently summer is officially here on Tuesday, June 21st.  But the weather has been wonderfully hot and sunny.  Wake up to the sun rising.  Drive to work with the sun blaring it's rays in my eyes.  Spend the day with the bright sun shining through my office window.  Drive home with the sun tanning my left arm.  Yes, my left arm is darker than the right.  Last year my loving Sister C had mailed me "driving sleeves" which are gray with white polka dots.  Love them!  They even have little thumb holes where my fat thumbs peek through ^_^.  Anyhooo....Summer is here in GA!!!

My Vienna sausage looking toe are painted and have been shared to the world with my open toe shoes.  My wedges are now apart of my "what shall my feet wear today".  Being a measly 4" 8.25" tall, they give me much needed height.

I've collected these over the years.  And as you can see, I do tend to wear some more than others.  My recent purchase is the blue pair (bottom right).  When I wear them with shorts, it makes me look like I have looooong and not stubbly legs.  Love them!

Socks

This blog was an inspiration from my adorable son L and the McClures.  Yes M.Mc and C.MC, I know you're reading this :)

One school morning, like many days, we were hurrying out the door.  Before I could even step one foot out, I glanced down at L and to my shock he had put on BLACK DRESS SOCKS and white sneakers.  Is it wrong to wear that combination?  Is it appropriate to address this sock-shoe issue with a 7 year old?  Do I risk being late at dropping L to school so that he can change his feet attire?

Clock is ticking....

"L.  Why did you put those socks on?"

"I like the black socks.  They feel nice"

"But L, you've got Strong for Life today, and you'll be running around"

"I want to wear these socks and I just tied my shoelaces"

Tying his own shoelaces is something we taught L to do before he went into 1st Grade.  No more Velcro and slip on sneakers.  L was going to be a big boy and tie his own shoes.  So the thought of him untying his sneakers, running up the stairs to get white socks, re-tying laces....that would make us at least 10+ minutes late.

So it happened.  L went to school with his Black Dress Socks and White Sneakers. Let's just hope in the future he doesn't want to wear socks with sandals!!!!




Okay, my confession.  I love socks too.  I even wear them mix-matched ^_^

 

Flip Flops? I think not!

I love the times when I am not in heels but wearing flats.  I keep a pair of bright blue Old Navy flip flops by my desk so I can wear when going to get our mail for work.  Yup, I was spoiled in CA when the mail carrier would bring the mail to the office.  But here, the mail is set inside the mail box a loooong loooong (okay, not so far) distance at the office driveway.  Why bother change shoes?  Like in my previous post, our company doesn't have the luxury of a paved driveway/parking lot.  Instead we have to endure with a graveled floor.  A big pain for my heels.

Anyways....yes, I do wear flats.  Mostly during the warmer/hot days and two weeks ago, it seemed like I wore flats everyday.

Surprisingly, some people were shocked by my height.  Haven't I worn flats before?  I think so.  I guess from 3.5 inch heels to flats is quite funny.  Especially as it brings my height down to 4 feet and 9.5 inches.  I could say 4' 10" but that would be lying, and I kinda like saying "point 5".

So one sunny day, dressed to impress with a cute pair of flat sandals, a none fashionista decided to let me know that he didn't think it would be appropriate to wear "flip flops".  I looked down at my feet walked over to a friend and laughed.  "Are you serious?  Are any of my shoes, other than my "walk to mail box flip flops", actual flip flops?"

Drama continues....They can say all they want, but I will wear what I want on my feet.  You don't pay for them and you don't wear them!

Bottom right are the "flip flops" in question!

Walking....

What is the purpose of being nice?  Being walked all over? Being disrespected?

I can’t stand it when people seem to think they know more about you, who you are, what's going on and not letting your own insight into a situation. These people don't think outside the box and believe that the world revolves around them and the people in the same vicinity is nothing but a pawn in their game of deceit.

I have come to believe that people have this trait so that they feel more powerful. In the case of them not getting what they wanted or not hearing what they wanted to hear and it made them feel better to talk down to someone whether it’s their fault or not.

Common courtesy is hard to find sometimes. I found some groups of friends, even entire communities can be very courteous towards each other and total strangers, yet some people seem to feel it is their moral and civil duty (and human right) to put someone else down and walk all over them.

As an admin, I have endured such ridiculous things for years just because "they" believe they are better than me.  I have learnt to speak up immediately if I’m not happy with my treatment or other peoples adverse attitudes toward me.

There has been a couple of days in the past month or so, where "people walking all over me" has gone way beyond it's bounderies.  So, now, some people have seen the not-so-nice person I am. 

I dislike people who walk around with the need to feel powerful at the expense of others. I really really do.

Karma is a bitch and she will STOMP all over you!!!

Save Your Kisses For Me!

Isn't it amazing going through your personal belongings, you find things that you forgot about.  Well, I'm an idiot!  I found two pairs of shoes which I haven't worn.  The first still has it's price tag on it and the second has been worn once and then put back into it's box.

This weekend, I put them on and they just didn't feel right.  Did my feet lose weight?  Did I try them in the morning when your feet are less plump?  (Best way to ensure shoes fit, is after a few hours on your feet.  This will give you the correct width of your foot).  I added insoles, heel grips, but still no use. 

So there you have it.  Two Shoes.  Two Feet.  Too Big.  Now what?

Got to do it.  Have to let them go.  This is one of the hardest things I have done.  Perhaps not, but if you're a shoe lover, it's like having one of your heels break and your heart stops.  And yes, that has happened to me.  That story will be some other time.

Now, where do these two lovely beautiful shoes go?  Goodwill?  Consignment Store?  Neither.  My dearest older sister Mng. M will be the lucky recipient.  She's 1/2 a size bigger than me, so it's a perfect fit.

Enjoy Mng. M.  Treat them well....

Below is a song which my sister will remember dearly.  When she was a younger, my godmother who was also my mommy's sister, would play this song and my sister would dance. 

(CLASSIC EUROVISION SONG,UK WINNER 1976 - Brotherhood of Man)
Though it hurts to go away
It's impossible to stay
But there's one thing I must say before I go
I love You --you know
I'll be thinking of You in most everything I do
Now the time is moving on
And I really should be gone
But You keep me hanging on for one more smile
I love You --all the while
With your cute little way
Will You promise that you'll save your

Kisses for me
Save all your kisses for me
Bye bye baby
bye bye
Don't cry honey don't cry
Gonna walk out the door
But I'll soon be back for more

My godmother/my aunt, was a tough lady, sometimes unbearable and very outspoken.  But she knew us very well and loved us deeply.  I sometimes see her traits in me.  She taught me well, and I never knew.  It's been almost 6 years since her life was taken away.

I miss you "Auntie Esther".

A good friend is someone who you will help you move, a really good friend will help you move a dead body. ~ Unknown Wise Person

I thought that title would open up your eyes hahah. But no, this blog isn't about moving bodies. It is actually how I store my shoes.

My BFF “T” has been by my side through every chapter of my life, from change of work, drunken nights, drives all over the Bay Area in one night, my relationships, the birth of my son, and the numerous moves I made.

One thing for sure is when it has been time for me to move, “T”, has always been there and what we pack the most is my collection of shoes. It must have drove her nuts, cause it wasn’t just one box or one bag….it would be boxes or bags. During my packing frenzy for the moves, shoes would be thrown into boxes and bags. All not shoe friendly.

Where do I store my shoes? They used to be in the hallway linen closet, but that didn’t work. Not enough space. They now hold my hubby’s shoes, his collection of baseball hats, and our supply of toiletries. Then I moved my shoes to our walk in closet. Yikes, the thought of shoes next to our clothes….OUT PLEASE! I eventually moved the pile to an open wall in our bedroom.

I used to have my shoes stored in their original shoe boxes, but after this particular move to the South, I noticed the shoes boxes were beginning to get tattered. And a tattered box means un-kept shoes. A big no-no in my books.

How about shoe racks? Well, racks work for awhile, but eventually the unprotected shoes that are not worn on a daily/weekly basis will end up with a thin layer of unwanted dust.


On another boring day walking along the aisles of Target or was it Wal-Mart, there….there they were. Storage boxes. Sturdy storage boxes just for shoes. And better yet, less than $1 each.
  

I have found the ultimate storage but I had no more closet space. So now they are stacked against the wall lined up all pretty and dust free.


My boots on the other hand, I’ll find a better home for my boots. But for now….I have them in a big storage tub, the ones where you would store your Christmas decorations.