Day 21---Teenagers...Can't live with them...Can't send them to live with strangers

Day 21---Black leather heels by Carlos Santana. These shoes are made for kick'in...so watch out!----who ever thought Carlos Santana would make great shoes? Weird!

Every parent of a teenager knows there comes a time when normal communication seizes with your child. We apparently never understand anymore and are never right so we start picking our battles. My oldest son turned 13 last April. I think on that day my sweet baby boy that I raised for 13 years was replaced with an impostor. He was no longer able to control his mouth or his lanky body! Most days I no longer recognize the boy who used to play Hot Wheels and watched Spongebob and called his friends to "go outside and play". My 6"1' Man-Cub now wears ear-buds 24 hrs a day, needs to start shaving and refuses to talk to me about girls. Come on, it's not that weird! I never thought it would happen, but some days it hard to have normal conversations. Funny enough though we still have a common ground in shoes. He loves to shop for shoes! (He must get that from his Dad) His may be Jordan Basketball shoes (size 13 eek!) and mine are 4 inch heels, but it's still something! He loves to shop online and get my opinion. Sometimes we will go to the mall and he always wants me to go in the shoe stores with him to look. He values my opinion. Since most of the time I'm embarrassing, I'll take what ever I can get.... It's not easy raising a teenager. Most days I want to either wring his neck or send him off to military school. But sometimes, when he doesn't think anyone is watching, and I see him playing with his 3 yr old brother I see my little boy again. Or every once in a while he will surprise me with a big hug, with his arms around my neck, he tell me he loves me and I know he will be back. Until then we will have shoes....

Day 20---It's the gift..I mean the thought...that counts!

Day 20--Whew!! 20% of the way done!...and I haven't gotten to some of the really good shoes yet!...leopard print pony-hair mules by Liz Claiborne. I've had these shoes FOREVER!! and they look it, but I can't part with them :( I like to think Audrey Hepburn would have loved them!

Christmas shopping has officially begun. Although some of you sickos are already done! Unlike those people, I like to draw it out as long as I can. I'm one of those that shops all the way up 'til Christmas Eve. It's not because I've left it until the last minute it. I just like to savor it like a decadent dessert. It's like giving an over eater a gallon of Haagen Dazs and a spoon. Do you think they are just going to take one bite? Come on....I have a license to shop! I'm going to enjoy it as long as I can. Some make lists of all the people they are shopping for and have in mind what they want to get them. I have to sift through catalogs and meander through shops until I feel inspired. That's not to say I spend loads of money or my way is better than anyone elses. I, like many others this year, am definitely scaling back on Christmas spending. Budgets are tight everywhere and I think I've come to realize over the last few years that my kids don't need the excess. They don't even appreciate it. What do they remember? They remember the Christmas decorating, art projects, baking cookies and getting together with family. I want to create memories for my kids, not more boxes of stuff to take to Goodwill. One of my favorite pastimes is baking cookies. So my kids and I will be doing a lot of that this year, both for our family and for gifts. In the long run I hope to teach our kids better lessons on gift giving and receiving and responsible spending. I will still be doing a lot of shopping this year....just maybe not so much purchasing.

Day 19---For the Love of Sleep!

Day 19---Did I say all 99 were going to be knock-out gorgeous? Sorry kids...I'm heading out to take Gigi for a walk. Can't do that in heels! They are black patten Diamond FLX Nike's.

You know the saying " I'll have plenty of time to sleep when I'm dead"...I'm starting to really count on that! As I sit here typing at almost 6:00 in the evening drinking a 16 oz coffee, just trying to stay awake until my kids are in bed. I don't know about everyone else, but for me these days sleep seems to be both my worse enemy and my taunting lover, whose favorite game is to play hide and seek with me. I never thought I would be one of those people who woke up at 2:00 in the morning unable to get back to sleep, mind racing, invisible fears chasing me down like the boogey man my older brothers used to convince me lived in our basement when we were kids (weren't they sweet?). They even, of course, have a Facebook page dedicated to the cause, but then again why wouldn't they? It's Facebook! These days it seems my internal clock has decided that I should wake up at 5:00 in the morning regardless of what time I went to sleep. That helped a lot on Black Friday, but come on! I thought that wasn't suppose to happen until I was old and at least reaping some Senior Citizen discount. There are some wonderful quotes out there about sleep. One of my favorites is :
      " Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds. " ~JoJo Jensen, Dirt Farmer   Wisdom, 2002
Believe me, I'm almost there! But I keep trying...reading, pills, prayer, crossword puzzles and even a white noise machine. It plays all different sounds. It has the sound of a thunder storm, birds chirping, waves crashing and the gentle trickling of a brook. The last two worry me when I have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night! I trust that I will sleep again. Until then, as I told my husband last night, I just keep moving. Because just as a shark has to keep moving so they don't drown, if I stop moving I will fall asleep on my feet. How ironic is that! I leave with this last quote:
       "A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book."  ~Irish Proverb

Day 18---Fashion doesn't need to cost an arm or a leg...maybe only a big toe...

Day 18---Greenish gray suede boots bought from Target!! $39.99!!! For real suede...seriously?? Love'em! Goes to show, you don't need to spend big money on shoes/boots. Not all my shoes are expensive!! I think John would have a serious problem with that if they were.

We all have fashion staples that we rely on from day to day. I get into ruts where I like to wear certain shirts, sandals and jeans. Over Summer I always get a little crazy with flip flops (remember those being called thongs? Say that now and you'll get a strange look.) from Old Navy. Hello....You can get them in a gazillion different colors for like $3. Can't get any better than that! I'm always so sad to hang up my sandals for the Winter. They're so easy to slip on and off and seem to go with everything. I would say I have two "go-to" items these days. My first is the skinny bra tanks. I love to layer them under other tops. They add some extra coverage and help smooth out all the rough edges. The other thing I'm in love with right now are the T-shirts from Papaya. They are come in about 10 different colors, are longer to cover low-rise jeans (no one wants to see the crack of dawn when you bend over) and have a little cap sleeve. The best part is that they usually sell for 3 for $10! They go great with skirts and jeans, under jackets and layered with sweaters. I have about 5 different colors and have to keep myself from wearing a different color every day! What is your fashion staple?

Day 17---What can we do for someone else this Season?

Day 17---After 12 hrs of off and on shopping I am so tired!! Glad I wore my Converse though...Not feeling so glamorous today!!

My friend Vanessa and I went shopping today and we survived!! It was actually pretty fun. Everyone we came in contact with was nice. All the checkers were pleasant, no fights over parking spaces and every store that we went to had what we came there for. How often does that happen? We even had a complete stranger give Vanessa a 15% off coupon when we were standing in line, which I then used after her and then gave to another stranger in line. I am hoping that that lady turned around and gave it to someone else. I like the thought that it's still out there bringing unexpected happiness to someone. And to think, it started out with 1 person doing something nice for someone else. THAT is what the season of Christmas should bring out in each of us. I hope it does in me. The season has begun and I love every minute of it!

Day 16---Happy Thankful Heart Day!!

Day 16---Happy Thanksgiving!!! You didn't really think I had Turkey shoes, did you??...Bronze metallic pumps by Nine West. Super pointy toes, but unbelievably comfortable (but maybe I'm used to them!)

Just quickly I want to say that I am surprisingly thankful for this Blog. It has fulfilled a creative need that I didn't even know I lacked. Thank you for being patient and kind. I love it that some of you may find some humor and fun in it.....

As you know, today is Thanksgiving. The day to reflect on all the things and people in our lives that bring us comfort and joy and being thankful for them...I find it ironic that the day after this "soul-searching" day there is a day called Black Friday!! Everything about Black Friday is the anti-thesis of Thanksgiving. The racing around to find the "perfect" present at the "perfect" price for either someone else or THEMSELVES!...Dodging ladies who have made their lists, mapped out their stores and have obviously dressed for the athletic event in their running shoes (which I suspect may hide spikes in the soles). I've been there, done it and Lord help me, if the sales are good I will be out there again. I've been yelled at, flipped off, bumped and bruised. So I ask, why do we do this to ourselves?? Is it to save a few bucks? Tradition? Whatever the reason, I ask that you remember to be kind to yourself and others.....Oh, and while you're out shopping, remember my favorite color is green!! Thanks!

Day 15---Be Thankful For The Little Things

Day 15--Brown Knit Uggs....Not much for style, but dang! my feet are toasty!! I'm noticing that 3 out of 15 shoes so far are brown boots....I need to mix it up!!!

So, I am not much a superstitious person. I don't listen to psychics on the radio or tv. I don't read horoscopes. I do think some things happen for certain reasons that we may never know. My Dad and I took my kids to McDonald's today for Lunch. While we were sitting in the Playland eating (By the way, I think they should give adults McEar-plugs when you go in there!) a lady roughly in her 60's walked by us to dump her garbage. She looked familiar and we struck up a conversation. We figured out how we knew each other and she began to relate how she had lost her Mother in this last year and she was struggling to deal with the loss. She went on to say how in the last few months she has been finding pennies in the oddest places, like sitting on her car seat when she is getting in the car, or on a table when it didn't seem to be there before. She also said that a couple of times her three year old granddaughter has brought her pennies and told her they were from "Grandma". While she was telling the story her eyes were teary and my eyes were welling up along with her. I felt both the grief of losing her Mom and the hope she felt that her Mom was trying to console her. She went on her way and my Dad and I let the kids play another 20 minutes or so. We were the only other people there. While we were packing up to leave my 7 yr old daughter Emilia came to me and said, "remember the lady and the little girl that were talking to you?"...I said yes...She said, "I found this under their table."....And held up a penny....Crazy!!!

Day 14---Where are YOUR treasures stored?

 Day 14-- Another Day, another Boot....Brown Leather and Suede Riding Boots from B.O.C.....I hope everyone is keeping warm and safe out there today :)

Yeah!!! I've had major problems trying to post today. So I am happy that the bugs seem to have worked themselves out and here I am!! It's been a loooong day of wintery weather and 4 kids home from school on Thanksgiving Holiday. Therefore, it's nice to get away by myself for a few minutes.

Since starting this fun little blog I've had quite a few people wonder where I keep my shoes. Saturday night at a friend's house I had Mark Weinberg ask me "Where do you keep all those shoes?" The answer to that is not easy....I have them all over! I have several hanging shoe storage things that have shoes doubled up. I have shoes in bins under my bed. I have sandals in a box in my closet. I have shoes lined up on the floor of my closet and lined up on the shelf above. I have shoes in the garage, downstairs by the front door, in my car and some lined up next to my bed. I probably have shoes hiding under my bed that I haven't even found! It doesn't sound like much of a system, but it seems to work.

Sunday I got up early and got the three youngest kids and I to Church. Seth had a Basketball Tournament that day, so John and I were sent in different directions. The young, hip Pastor came up on stage and began preaching on "Where we have stored our treasures?"....This made me think. Not just a little, but a lot. It hit me like a ton of bricks! "Where am I storing my treasures (shoes)?"....At first it made me feel guilty...overindulgent...greedy...vain. But when I stopped and thought about it I don't think any of those things are true. At least I would hope not. My treasures are deeper than "things". These "things" are not what define me. Those who truly know me, know that this is just something that I enjoy. Something I have always enjoyed, even since childhood. It's not about the money spent, or feeling superior. I love a good garage sale, second hand store and I know many of you can attest that I probably frequent Fred Meyer without makeup too much! So I hope this silly blog doesn't come across as anything other than fun. I love it and I hope everyone that comes across it does too. On the same hand, if I do go too far I would hope that someone would tell me....But remember, always "Speak the truth in Love" (Eph. 4:15)

Forget singing in the rain!!

Day13--Black plaid Wellies. Just look out the window...do I really need to explain??

Let me just get this out before I explode...I HATE RAIN!!!... That doesn't make me feel much better, but at least I'm being honest. I know I am an Oregonian and I should be used to it. I guess I should wax poetically on how beautiful the changing of the seasons are and the renewing of the the spirit and how the flowers and fields love the the rain...but I hate it. It's okay if I am in the house for the night with nowhere to go, curled up on the couch with the fire going, a glass of Shiraz and a good book (in my dream the kids are quietly sleeping in their beds). But being a girl with curly hair (the frizzy kind, not cute!) I hate running through the rain knowing that the straightening job I did was for not. I don't like wearing coats. I don't even like wearing long sleeve shirts! I was definitely born in the wrong geographical region. But until I can convince John to move to Palm Springs I try to make the best of it. The one thing I do like about this weather is pulling out all of my hats. I've always loved hats. Today I'm wearing a red crocheted slouchy Beret. My favorite TV show of all time is I Love Lucy. I love how they would get dressed up for the most mundane outings. Going out to a movie was an epic night out. The ladies would get their nice dresses out, fanciest hats, leather gloves and mink stoles. Now I'm not saying we need to dress up every time we go out. Nor am I saying that I do. Although a daughter of a friend of mine has a joke of always asking me why I am dressed up every time I see her!! It's hilarious...Anyways, sometimes it's fun to go the extra mile....even when it's raining...

Stupid tags!!

Day 12--Pink leather Mules by Bandolino...I have a funny story to go along with these shoes to come later...

I've owned these shoes for about 5 years but truth be told I don't wear them very often. I like them because I have an affinity for mules, but they are a bit more uptight than my usual taste. They are very "sweet". I would expect to see them advertised the the Victorian magazine.

I'm always excited the first time I wear a new pair of shoes or try out a new piece of clothing. It's like you've given birth to a new look. So I was looking forward to wearing these shoes. I met my friend Sherry Van Blaricom at church one Sunday. John had stayed home that morning so Sherry and I sat down together. I was feeling good. Like the kind of excitement a child has when they are playing with a toy for the first time. The Pastor got up and explained that a family in the Church were struggling with some personal issues and placed an altar-call for those who felt led to come up to the front of the Church, kneel and pray silently for the family. This family was very near to my heart and I felt led to overcome my self consciousness, stand, walk up and kneel before the stage and pray for the family. Walking back to my seat I had such a feeling of pride that I had done something that I would have before felt too afraid of doing. I sat down and Sherry leaned over to me...I thought she was going to ask me about the family. Instead I heard......"Got new shoes, huh?"....With Sherry smiling and holding back a laugh I looked at my shoes and turned them over.... I had left the huge TJMaxx price tag on the bottom of the shoe and when I had been kneeling down to pray it was on display for all to see. Nice!!! I now ALWAYS remember to immediately take the tags off shoes before I wear them!!

Hold on...It may be a bumpy ride!!

Day 11--Wow!!...Black Leather Clog Sandals by Dansko. I could go on to say how much I love these, but I'm beginning to sound redundant. Clogs are a hit right now. So go buy some TODAY!...jk...2 Basketball practices and 3 BB games today...These shoes + jean skirt = comfy!!

I was standing in the shower this morning kind of thinking about what I was going to blog about today but mostly thinking about all that we have going on today with shuffling four kids all over in the pouring rain. The shower happens to be my favorite place to think and have a few minutes of peace and quiet (as long as I have remembered to lock the door). As I placed my hand under the hair conditioner pump and pressed down and I had conditioner dispense not into my hand as expected, but about two feet up the wall. Somehow the pump had gotten clogged and it shot out like a rocket! Weirdly it made me think about when I was a girl playing with Barbies. My favorite thing in the world!! How are our life plans change...My Barbie was always an actress or a dancer or a singer. That is how I saw myself. Never mind that I can't dance or can barely carry a tune and have only ever dipped my toe in acting. I always imagined myself living some creative career, getting married in my early thirties and having 2 kids by the time I was 40....God has a sense of humor I've found...Married at 19 and my first baby at 24 and 4 kids by 35. Funny thing is that I wouldn't trade it for the world! My kids are my most creative inventions I could ever imagine. They are constantly challenging me to be better, stronger and wiser. Life is a challenge, and I get knocked on my ass every once in a while but I know that God has a "Future and a Hope" (Jer. 29:11) for me. I'm just trying to enjoy the ride!

Day 10--Are we getting sick of this yet??

Day 10--Purplish(?) Suede Boots by Restricted...they are a half size too small, but who said fashion was comfortable? Hmmm...That's probably why I can't feel my big toes anymore....

I've had several women contact me recently and relate that they only have a few pairs of shoes. I don't know if they are shocked that I have so many or embarrassed thinking that they should have more. "To Each His Own!" I think. To be perfectly honest, I am a bit embarrassed that I have so many! But this is not a new development in my life. I have always had this obsession. I had well over 100 pairs of shoes in High School. My cousin remarked to me last night that "shoes always fit". That is so true!! Most women, including me, struggle with weight at least one time in their life. It is a burden that society has placed on us or that we place on ourselves. It's nice to know that you can go to your closet and find that your favorite shoes have not betrayed you even though your skinny jeans packed up and moved out a long time ago. So I say splurge on those shoes that seem so extravagant or impractical. They may be the small thing that help you feel like yourself!

No shave November???

Day 9--This is only the beginning of a huge boot obsession....Black Leather Boots by Sofft. Makes me a little bit more sassy just putting them on! I literally had to readjust my mirrors in the car this morning because they make me walk a little bit taller! lol....I usually stick to the rule of only pointy toed shoes because I think they make your legs look longer and slimmer, but I love these boots.

If I remember right I was shopping with a friend not too long ago. I was talking about how I was in a skirt-wearing faze right now and she said that she wouldn't be wearing any skirts anytime soon since it was "No Shave November"....She must have realized by the gapping hole that my mouth had formed that I wasn't aware of what she was talking about. She was shocked that I had never heard about it before. I was pretty sure I would remember that one. It probably would have been included in the embarrassing conversation my Mom and I had regarding how my body was changing and the pros and cons between pads and tampons...But nope! I hadn't heard that before and I'm kind of glad I hadn't. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a stickler on shaving every day.... Hello, I've been married 17 years. I thought that was one of the perks!... But to not shave for a whole month seems a bit extreme. I know we live in Oregon, The Green State, but lets keep up on the personal hygiene...I'm going to be watching you ladies!!

Better than Prozac!

Day 8--Zebra print pony hair sling backs by Sudini...Pure shoe Love!! I have to admit I don't wear these a lot. Not good for rain. I also remember to also stick with all black when I wear them so I don't look like I'm in animal print overload. Admit it, you've seen women dressed like that!

I guess it could be said that you know a lot about a person by how they dress. And I guess that is true to a point. I would be hard pressed to put a label on how I like to dress. I love it all! I go through fazes where I wear a lot of different styles. I like that you can change people's perception of you by the way you present yourself... I have always suffered from low self-confindence and I think that the clothes/shoes that I wear help me express myself. Isn't that a great thing?! So while some people drink, use drugs or engage in self-destructive behavior, I change my look! Putting on a 4 inch heel can give me the boost that I need some days to feel like I can stand up to anything. It's more than shopping or vanity or greed. It's self-expression!

Pretty sad when I had 2 followers yesterday...even sader when I only have 1 today!

Day 7--Light pink short Uggs...I know they're not glamorous, but neither am I after a long day with 80 5th graders!...blog to come :)

You know what they say..."Another day, another...shoe". Here I am after a very long day herding 80ish 5th grade boys and girls through another reason to get out of school...I mean educational field trip. I agonized over what to wear this morning. I knew someone would have a comment on whatever I chose to wear so I figured I needed to be able to support my shoe of choice. I decided on comfort over fashion, which is a choice I rarely choose. Maybe that's a sign of maturity. I also believe in appropriateness. But tomorrow is another day filled with 92 options of my choosing. Some you make like, some you may not like. I read a quote the other day from a football coach "Success is a journey, not a destination". I love that quote. It reminds me that I can't judge something from day to day. It's the overall journey that counts and I am having fun on my 99 day journey.

Day 6...I'm going to need a pedicure!

Day 6--Black suede Ballet Flats with nickel studs by Ruby & Bloom. I LOVE these shoes!! I think about Madonna's "Borderline" every time I put them on :)

I was remembering back to when John and I first got married and a conversation we had. I don't know how we got onto the subject, but he was talking about how he would like to see me dressed. His description sounded like an Eddie Bauer ad. He liked plain clothes like khaki pants and plain shirts. He also saw me staying home and homeschooling our "6" imaginary kids, but that's another story! Nothing flashy or noticeable was his ideal look. At the time I was wondering if he knew me at all! Don't get me wrong. I tried to indulge his fantasy for a while, but who was I kidding? I LOVE clothes! All type of clothes...But after 17 years he puts up with me dressing a little crazier than he's comfortable with, coming home with more shoes and I think he's ok with it. I think he's even grown to like it.

Day 5...My Husband shouldn't let me "run errands".

Day 5--Black leather 5 inch platform heels by Nine West. Talk about walking tall!...they are surprisingly comfortable. I love them with my favorite pair of black Paige jeans since the legs are long.

Now I have to clarify. I am NOT a label snob. Most of my clothes/shoes are not high label brands. I happen to LOVE Paige jeans because they seem to fit my body type very well and as most women know jeans are horrible to fit just right. Paige jeans run small in the waist and have plenty of "trunk" space. They are more expensive, but I am a thrifty shopper and rarely pay full price for anything. So if you can get better quality go for it. They will last longer, look better on you resulting in getting more use out of them.

My husband asked me today to run our two oldest sons to their basketball Academies so that he could stay home and have some down time watching football. He enticed me with the question "You have errands to run, right?" He knows full well that "errands" means shopping. I bit like fish to bait. What does he get for that?...I came home with two new pairs of boots. I figure he only has himself to blame.

Days 1 through 4

Day 1...Black Marc Jacobs with a kitten heel. Paired with a pencil skirt of course!! --Loved your monologue Liz. I wish I had your creative mind!

Day 2....Black Vans with pink dice. Perfect for Bunko night tonight!

Day 3--Red sandal wedges by Enzo Angiolini. Nice to brighten this gray day. I feel 6 feet tall when I wear them too!!

Day 4--Brown Leather Cowboy boots by Steve Madden. Very comfy paired with knee highs :) Bring on the rain!!! Got lots of compliments on the Red shoes yesterday. Sometimes it's nice to step away (pun intended) from black shoes all the time and brighten things up!

New Blog....New Adventure

This adventure began a week ago when I decided it was about time I clean out my closet. I started that task with the intent on getting rid of clothes that I no longer wear and weeding through shoes that are clogging up room. When it was all said and done I got rid of nothing and ended up counting my shoes they way I used to in High School. I thought I was done when I got to #93. Then I remembered I had shoes under my bed, in the garage and even in the car!...When the complete count come in I was at 99 and feeling proud and a bit embarressed. I was silly enough to post these findings on my Facebook page and during a talk with a friend she encouraged (or threatened) me to wear a different pair of shoes for 99 days. I thought about it for a couple of days wondering if my friends would think I was horribly obnoxious and vain or I had finally lost it. I decided to risk my family and friends thinking either of those things and do something completely silly for once.

I started this on day 1 on my FB page and a couple of days ago my friend Tina told me I should Blog it. This is all new to me. I am not a master story teller and I pray to God that there is a spell checker somewhere on here. Anyways, here we go!!