The Secret Life of Shoes

Uniforms Don't Have to Be UNIFORM!

2011-09-17T10:02:00.001-04:00

When I look back over my school and career, I did have to wear a uniform on more than once occasion. I attended Catholic schools so the plaid uniform was a staple for four years. Once I got out of high school, I literally had no clothes at all for college. I had to get an entire new wardrobe and that was way fun to buy. Finally some originality. One of my early work positions was with Estee Lauder cosmetics and we always had to wear the signature blue Lauder uniform. They cut and style at times was not quite right but we had to wear them. I remember standing around the counter and wishing that we could talk to the person at home office who designed those informs. They needed more style and better fitting.

When I think of workers in hospitals growing up they all looked the same. Uniforms were standard with no colors that really varied at all. Nurses wore white and the scrubs were the standard hospital blue. But now more! Today there is style and fashion in the world of uniforms. Check out this link! http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/ . You will not be disappointed if you work in the medical field and want a little variety or individuality in your uniform. Just think, if you are in a career and have to wear scrubs for your entire career that could be 5-10 years or even more, wearing a blue scrub for 10 years would be so monotonous.

Blue sky scrubs was born out of the need to have variety and a scrub hat the fit. Since the company began the line has expanded to include scrubs of all colors and even different styles. the boring blue scrub is no more. If you want the original blue scrub is is there but there are offering scrubs options that include more color options, a better fit and a design from quality fabrics. They have several lines available, one of which is the Grey Label Scrubs that include 16 colors to choose from. Other scrubs for women include the Urban scrubs that have a more casual look. Still very professional but with flair. In addition there scrubs can be custom designed to fit your needs.

Blue Sky Scrubs does have a 90 day return policy of there is any issue that needs to be resolved. They have a team of professionals committed to providing the best quality product to the public and to be sure that we are satisfied. Buying on line via the website can be done from the comfort of your own home with just a few clicks of the mouse. If you are in the medical field and looking for a little variety, be sure to check out Blue Sky Scrubs. you will not be disappointed.

Death of a Sperry

2011-09-16T09:28:00.004-04:00

I have a favorite pair of sperry top siders that have seen better days. They are green and made of suede. The style was slipon. They have served me well in all sorts of weather and occasions. They were super comfortable but now are totally uncomfortable. So it is time for them to go to the great shoe graveyard in the sky. I will miss them because they went with so many things I had to wear as far as casual wear. They were a staple with jeans. I do not think I will replace them. I have three other pairs of sperry top siders to wear and they are no where near being worn out.

Still doing good. Still not buying anymore shoes before I wear out all that I have. At this rate, I may not need to ever by another pair of shoes in a very long time. Well, except for a pair of black dress pumps for special occasions. I need those now.

So long my favorite pair of sperry's. Enjoy you rest in the afterlife of shoes.

Rat Shoe. REALLY!!

2011-09-14T10:44:00.002-04:00

Who came up with this for fall?

Definitively what I will not be wearing!

Night Out On the Town!

2011-09-14T09:51:00.003-04:00

This past July my church choir had the unique opportunity to sing Rutter's Requiem at Carnegie Hall. We spent the entire 6 months before rehearsing and rehearsing and rehearsing some more! With Rutter it has to be perfect. He is the man! Before going to NYC, we had the opportunity to join with another church choir and sing it for local performances in my home with and at the home town of the visiting church. It was spectacular! We were wonderful.

With the trip to NYC to sing the Requiem at Carnegie Hall, not all of us choir members could go because the total cost of the trip was great during these economic times. I think it was about $3000 per person to go for the week so about 1/3 of my choir went. The actual performance was on Memorial Day. I was not lucky enough to afford the NYC trip to actually work with Rutter, but I was able to perform in both local concerts. It was joyous either way. I did wish at the time I live in NYC so that I could be there.

I had no idea what the cost of the Carnegie Hall tickets would have been to see the show. I imagine that it may have been pricey. There are sorts of shows going on there as well as sporting events and concerts. Tickets for some of these are hard to get. Cheapseat.com has tickets available for just about any event you could want to attend. They are a privately owned company that buys and resells tickets on the secondary market. They offer premium seats that may be hard to get or even sold out without anyone having to stand in line or wait on hold. Now you may pay a pretty penny for them but they are premium seats!

The site itself is easy to use. For example, if you wanted Harlem Globetrotters Tickets or

Jersey Boy Tickets, simply go to the event and click view tickets on the day and time you prefer. A page will come up giving you the seat location and number of tickets available. After that select buy tickets and with your credit card, your tickets are yours in minutes. It could not be any easier. There are tickets available for every budget.

Fenway Park Tickets may be hard to come by for the average person calling or hoping to get tickets to a sporting event on line. Sometimes sporting events sell out in minutes as soon as they become available online. I have experienced this. By using Cheapseats or the link, you can get great tickets to your sporting events at Fenway Park. Sometimes the only way for the general public to get tickets to "BIG" sporting events is via a ticket broker. Yankee Stadium Tickets are available now and it looks like some tickets for the very elusive World Series tickets are still there! Wow! That would be exciting to see!

Searching by vendor, event or city is easy. With three basic steps your ticket order can be completed. All sales are final because they are one of a kind items. If there is a cancellation, refunds will be honored if done within 10 days. Professional customer service agents are also available to assist you as needed.

So, the need to sweat getting quality tickets at great performances is over! Whether it be comedy, drama, the ballet, sporting events or concerts, check out Cheapseats for all your ticket needs. The holidays are soon to be coming and lots of special seasonal events will be coming up. Get ready for that! Tickets are already available and ready to purchase.

Taylor Swift Tickets are available now for all of her performances in all venues. Shop ahead and get the best seats now for those performances. I do think that using Cheapseats will take the headache out of holiday performances that occur at holiday time. That is one less thing to worry about with the crush of the holiday rush!

Heels and the Love of Shoes

2011-09-14T09:10:00.003-04:00

Heels! I have always been in love with them. I remember some of my very first pair of shoes that I bought with my own money were a pair of high heels by an Italian designer whose name I cannot recall right now. They were the best shoes ever! They cost $80 and that was a huge sum back in 1977 for a pair of black, strappy heels. They had the best fit of any shoes I had at the time. I could do anything in them and they were comfortable.

Disco was in back then and I was able to dance the night away in those shoes. I could dance for hours and they never hurt my feet. They were perfect. I remember when the soles began to wear out, I would take them to the cobbler and have them resoled. That worked for about a year until I was finally ready to let them go.

I will never forget those shoes. They made anything I wore look instantly better, more sexy and they made my legs look good. My legs were my best feature! I wore heels all the time and I was sleek and walking tall in my heels. No one could tell me a thing.

I think a girl always remembers her first pair of high heels just like she remembers her very first boyfriend. You look back and feel that bittersweet feeling of good times long gone. And wondering if those time will come again. Will a pair of shoes ever fit that well again? Will another pair fit your feet like a pair of gloves? Will you have a love like that again.

I have pleasant memories of various past shoes! Probably more memories of shoes than old boyfriends. Shoes are definitively more reliable and dependable than some of those old boyfriends were.

I do not think my love affair of shoes will ever end. If I am having a bad day, I can go to my closet and try on a pair of my many shoes, strut around the house and feel all better. Heels are the best shoe for that. The average running shoe or sandal will not have the same effect. Heels. Heels are the best balm for anything that makes your day left of center.

Just A Thought!

2011-09-12T09:49:00.001-04:00

"If anything terrifies me, I must try to conquer it." - Francis Chichester

The Birthday Shoes

2011-09-12T09:27:00.005-04:00

My daughter has been wanting a particular pair of Converse for quite a while. I got them for her for her birthday last month. She was a happy camper. They were an exclusive pair made by Journeys and they were not longer available in our local store. Not to worry! All I had to do was go in and order them in the store and within 2 days they here.

It was a seamless purchase and delivery with no problems at all. My daughter takes after her mother. But with a little more reason. She loves shoes too. Here are a picture of the Vans she just had to have.

Shoes. They do a body good.

The birthday shoes!

Intervention Working

2011-09-12T09:19:00.002-04:00

My intervention has been working. I have been wearing out shoes more and buying a lot less. I am wearing them to the point of wearing out. That took a great while to make that transition. I was a shoe-aholic. I think I still am but I do have the buying under control. I have not take a count recently as to how many pairs I have left. When I last counted my shoes I was up to 69 pairs. This was about 3. 5 years ago. I am glad to say that I have more money to spend on other things.

I can now say that I am in need of a new pair of black pumps. I wore out my last pair. It is so good to get that shoe obsession under control. I will always loves shoes. Wearing them and even more....buying them. They are so pretty. The economy has helped. The need to hold onto all available funds will put things into perspective.

The "New" Espadrille

2011-04-02T10:22:00.005-04:00

Spring is here and summer is coming! When I was in college espadrilles were the shoe to wear but that was in the 80's and the style was just a little different. Not so high and not so fashionable Preppy was in and all the preppy girls wore them. Today's espadrilles are totally new and fresh. High too! At least 4 inches. I love these by Nine West. They have a complete line and they are all fab! They seem to be all in the $99.00 range. Check them out! I want about 2 pairs for the summer!

Shoe Deaths

2011-04-02T10:04:00.002-04:00

It has not been a good six months for me and my shoes. I have had quite a few die from old age. It was just time. I have many shoes that are just worn out and have loved a very long life. Sad to see some of them go! I have lost about 6 pairs in the past 6 months with 2 more failing now. I guess that is a good thing. The bad thing is that they decide to kick the bucket at odd times. Last weekend I was at church and all of a sudden I tripped as I walked. I did not fall down but as it turned out, the front sole of my left shoe decided to separate from the shoe itself. It began to flap down as I walked. Not good. Luckily I did not have much walking to do. I was able to get home and examine them. There was no hope. In the garbage they went. They were my favorite pair of black dress shoes! Now I need a new pair. In reality, I need several new pairs! That is good. I get to go shoe shopping!

A Retirement Trip

2011-03-08T11:52:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Judy Kitson

On the way to the Hearing Test Center, my husband and I noticed a travel agent center along the way. We took a quick peek in the window and we decided to take a step inside. We've been very interested in going on a fun retirement trip, and we thought it might be best to find a few ideas. While we didn't put anything on the books right then and there, our visit gave us some ideas for when we went home. We got on the computer and started looking about trips up north.

We've wanted to go to an area with a little more snow because we've always wanted to rent a cabin and do a little cross country skiing in the open air. After searching for an hour or so, we came across the perfect place. We read that there were plenty of recreational areas nearby and it sounded like there was a lot of land. We went ahead and booked a trip. We're really looking forward to getting some fresh air and getting some exercise with the cross country skiing. This is really going to be great!

Footin' It

2010-11-27T12:22:00.005-05:00

Right now I am footin' in. Really. And it is no fun at all. About 3 weeks ago my car began to make funny sounds and then one day when I was at work it would not start. I was stranded in the middle of a median on the highway. I thank god the median was there because it was a very busy road. I had to have 3 men stop and help push me off the highway. I called my mechanic and later found out that a part in the motor has worn out and basically the engine is gone. Without an engine you have no car.

Right now I am not in a position to buy a new car or take on a car payment so my first option now is to get a new or used engine. My mechanic is now in the process of finding a good used engine to put in the car. He is looking and while he is looking I am waiting and I have no car. Bad way to be these days.

I have actually begun to look now at cars because my car is old. I bought it used and it only has a few good years left before I would have to get a new car anyway. I have always bought sedans in the past and they have been both domestic and foreign models. There are all sorts of places to look for cars but there is an option on line called the Car Connection. Take a look at this Audi S6 . It is a beauty! I would not mind a car like this! Use the photo gallery to get a look at it from all angles. There is even a link to get a price on what it would cost in my area. Put in your zip code, phone and how you expect to pay and a quote will be delivered to you on the spot. There is even a way to compare prices as well. There is even a away to get a "true price quote" and find out what others really paid for the car.

I have never considered a truck before but maybe an SUV...a small one. The only time I drove a truck was years ago when a rental agency ran out of cars and they only had a truck to rent to me. I do not remember the type but this GMC Canyon looks similar. This is available in both 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive. On the site it even gives a side by side comparison of city verses highway driving. That is a big thing given the price of gas these days. Another tool the site offers are reviews by users and experts so you can get a feel of what people think of the truck and how it handles. You can even get pricing broken down by trim.

The Toyota Avalon is up next. This is the car my brother drives. In fact, Toyotas are the only cars he has ever driven. He loves them and it is a very nice ride! The car connection also offers comparisons of this car to others like it. Buying a new car is not a fast thing to do. It takes time to look and research all options and to find the best deals out there.

The car connection brings all the information together so that the consumer can make an informed decision. It has tips, reviews, pricing and news all in one place. The people behind the scenes are well informed. They are a team of car experts with over 50 years of automotive journalism experience. Those experts want to hear from us...the consumer... so they encourage our reviews and questions.

I am still waiting to hear the fate of my little car and whether it will make it. I am glad to know that there are sites like this one that make it easy to research cars all in one place on the web. I know I will have to get a new car in about 3 years, (if this one makes it with a used engine) and it is good to know there is a valuable resource on the web to aid me in my car search in the future. Be sure to check it out and even here for more info .

Vans! : aN uPDATE

2010-11-13T19:55:00.001-05:00

FUNNY THING! My daughter told me Friday that since she has gotten her Vans everyone she sees has the exact same pair that she has. Other girls in her classes and she says she had them first and they are copying her! I could only tell her that imitation is the best compliment!

Statement Shoes - Discover More Fall and Resort Accessories on ELLE.com

2010-11-05T07:32:00.003-04:00

Statement Shoes - Discover More Fall and Resort Accessories on ELLE.com

Wow! Check out all these shoes! Way Cool!

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.~~Unknown~~

Easy Walk Down the Math Path

2010-10-31T17:42:00.007-04:00

Third grade was the undoing of my math career. I had a horrible teacher. I know she was bad as my mother was a school teacher. My third grade teacher did nothing except sit at her desk and read novels. She did not teach us math at all that year, so when I got to fourth grade I was at a great disadvantage.

I changed schools and ended up having to learn basic things like the multiplication tables that I should have learned in the third grade. I ended up having another student who was really good in math sit with me and she acted as my math tutor. I thank god for her. She helped me make it and as you can guess, math was never my best subject. It was always a struggle. I believe that
if you do not have access to what you need then the next best thing would be a tutor. There are now tutors for every subject out there. My own child needed help in middle school and I sent her to the after school tutors at her school.

With our wave of technology there is even help on line now. Take Algebra 2 for example. There
is free online help with TutorVista. If your child is stuck doing that homework they can get help with algebra 2 in such a way that they will understand it and not just be given the answers. Understanding how the answer is derived is the whole thing. Understanding is power. The tutors will provide one on one help and are experts who will work at your child's level and speed to be sure they comprehend the math they are having difficulty with.

There is even help with 4th grade math as well as 5th grade math. Math topics pertenant to each grade level will be addressed. In 4th grade math a few of the subjects that can be accessed are fractions, decimals and geometry. In 5th grade math some of the subjects include fractions and mixed numbers, word problems and graphs. In 4th grade math learning begins with a subject area, then doing simple then more complex problems and ends with a math test to see where you stand. With the 5th grade tutoring, study is customized to the student with thousands of study questions to practice on. Those along with math worksheets will surely improve comprehension. Regardless of the time this help is available 24 hours a day! So late night study is not a problem.

When I was in middle and high school the one thing I recall that I could do well was adding fractions. I loved to do them. In addition to the help with manually adding fractions you can even add fractions on line and get an answer on the spot! That was not around when I was in school! Formula for volume and figuring that out for different shapes was something I had a hard time with. I will never forget that. I had help and once I understood I had no problem after that . Looking at it now it looks like greek and I am so glad I do not have to deal with that anymore! (Volume of a shape is given by computing area of a cross section and spinning it over 360 degrees--did I say greek!)My child is working with that now and she must be smarter that me because she is having no problem with it! If she did I would refer her to the online tutoring that is available!

My child is in high school now and is doing work with graph of lineal equations. She came to me with this about 3 weeks ago and I told her I could not help her. I knew I had had it before but remembered nothing! I guess my mind was a blank slate-a tabula rasa! At that time I referred her to school tutors and she has no problem now. I did not know about this website and the wonderful assistant it can provide. We know now. Both of us for the remainder of this school year will be referring to it if she has any math issues.

Having use of chat and a whiteboard to work out problems with a live tutor is just like working face to face. Students and parents are happy with this service. Check out the testimonials!

Vans!

2010-10-31T17:09:00.006-04:00

This school year was a little different in that the only pair of shoes my child wanted was a pair of Vans. I had no clue what they were. I had not heard of that brand....as it turned out she wanted to go to Journeys in the mall and get a pair. She took me there and I learned all I ever needed to know about Vans. I was thinking they are more for the grunge look/type and as it turns out it is a skate shoe. I guess roller and skateboard skating. She wanted the purple plaid/checkerboard.

I was thinking that a more modest style or color would go with many more things. Then I began to think with Vans I guess it is not about matching but with just having a pair. So the purple checkboard pair was bought for her and she was happy as a clam! These are them and believe me when I say she loves them. Once I pretended that I was going to try them on and my feet are bigger than hers. Well...I was in fear that I would loose a toe! Hands off her VANS! She loves them and the more I look they are very interesting shoes. Good to wear with jeans. I may even get a pair and I will not be getting a solid color either! Vans! If they are good enought for my child, they are good enough for me!

The price was not too bad. I paid about $45 dollars for them. There seems to be a whole lifestyle of skating surrounding the Van name. I mean really...they gave bmx riders a camera and sent them on a trip. Okay. I can do that! Send me on a trip with a camera. It would be Vans from an older generation perspective!

What I do is kick them in the pants with a diamond buckled shoe!

~~Aileen Mehle~~

Sorting Shoes

2010-10-30T17:28:00.004-04:00

My shoes feel confused today. They are out of sorts and feel just like two left feet. I think they will be staying in the closet until they can get turned around and even buffed and polished! I guess every shoe needs a day of rest. Today I will get mine! Shoes going the bed in about 30 minutes. Silence and seclusion can be golden!

2010-10-29T22:03:00.002-04:00

The medicine profiles the line.

Bali Holidays

2010-10-29T21:10:00.003-04:00

My first exposure to Bali was in the movie Bali Hai and I fell in love! It seemed like such a romantic, beautiful place that I dreamed of going there some day! Now I have done some traveling of the world but I have not made it to that side of the globe yet! I still have an active bucket list and bali holidays are still on it! To help plan that wonderful vacation there is a wonderful link you can go to book that romantic Bali cruise: P & O Cruises! This line has been around since 1837 when European tourists took excursions to the Mediterranean. Today P&O is the premiere cruise line from Australia and New Zealand to the South Pacific. With super liners that offer balcony rooms, wonderful entertainment and diverse eating establishments, you can book a Bali holiday and travel in style!

P & O has a wonderful cruisefinder page on its' website that will easily let you put in your departure and destination cities, dates of travel, ship and let you find out availability and pricing. There is even a button to click to find out about special deals!

What is there to do in Bali, Indonesia? Plenty! It is an old place with ancient temples and palaces. There are active volcanoes to explore and plenty of shopping in markets and art stores.
That is the Bali that I want to see. I want to see the local culture like the Barong dancers and try some of the local food as well as some of the find dining restaurants!

The culture there is very different that our western culture and women must be covered when entering temples. Luckily sashes and wraps are readily available if needed. Booking bali holidays is easy. The cruise website and/or your travel agent is all you need to book that Bali tour! Safety, security and customer satisfaction are a focus and policies are updated as needed to keep everyone safe to that a wonderful cruise experience is had by all.

Books About Shoes!

2010-10-26T14:06:00.003-04:00

Check out! A great collection of shoe books!

My Home Improvement Shoes

2010-10-25T18:43:00.002-04:00

On the weekends I tend to wear some of my most comfortable shoes. Sometimes I even feel industrious so I will put on my work books. Timberlands. When I put those on I feel like doing home improvements. Can shoes actually help you do housework? I think my shoes can! This past weekend I did take a good look at the living room as well as the bathrooms. I want to redo both those rooms. Paint, pictures..the whole nine yards.

In the bathroom I want to put some decorative tile up. I had thought of this about 3 years ago and spent about 4 hours in my local Home Depot. I did not get anything because I could not decide exactly what I wanted to do. Plus some of the tile, just like the ceiling borders for the living room, were limited. So, I still have just plain white walls.

I have discovered a place which seems to have unlimited choices on tiles for the bathroom and lots of other places as well! Glass Tile Store.com has literaly hundreds of tiles to choose from. From glass to marble to shells and cobblestone tiles. There is even free shipping on all orders. In order to keep prices competitive, they will match competitors regular final prices. All you have to do is email the link showing the lower price and it will be matched! Who can argue with that?

Bathroom tiles are not the only style they have on the site. They have tiles for kitchen, pool and backsplash projects. There are even online coupons available to help lower the price even more. Once an order is placed, there is ease in tracking your order and seeing the status. For some reason if an order needs to be returned, there is a 365 day guarantee. There is a 15% restocking fee and customers are responsible for return shipping. Just be sure to repack well in the original containers. Tile is delicate. In the same vain, if we are shipped a tile that is broken, the company will replace it on their dime.

I am thinking that I need to spend some time on investigating and creating exactly what sort of design I want. The tiles range from small to some that are like large tile panels. I guess that sort of large tile could be used as subway tiles. I have seen some tiles in some subways. Tile is durable and lasts forever once installed. That is why I was so indecisive at first some years ago. You have to live a long time with that tile once you get it installed. Whatever the choice, be sure to check out Glass Tile Store.com. They can handle all your tile needs and will leave you a satisfied customer. 40,000 happy customers since 2005 can't possible be wrong!

Time For Latin Shoes: Zumba!

2010-10-23T11:40:00.001-04:00

I recently saw an infomercial on tv about Zumba! I had not really explored it before and I must say that I think I need to be putting on my Latin shoes and getting with it! It looks like fun and I guess if you are moving around that much, you are sure to loose a few pounds!

Sperry Shoe Strings

2010-10-22T15:41:00.002-04:00

The only thing that is worrysome about Sperry's are the shoe strings. That tough leather does not like to stay tied. We are forever tying and retying our shoes! My daughter has 2 pairs of Sperry's and she is forever trying to get me to tie them for her. She is a teen and can do it herself but she says my tie is tigher than hers and they stay tied a little longer. That is the truth because when I am feeling lazy and ask her to tie mine..what was I thinking. I should have done it myself. Two minutes later and I am tripping about to fall down!

Do Sperry's Ever Wear Out?

2010-10-22T15:35:00.003-04:00

I have come to realize that Sperry's never wear out! I am waiting for mine to become tattered and wear out, but they will not. I have three pairs and i vowed never to get another until the ones I have become unwearable. They are lasting forever. I have 2 pairs made of leather and one sueded pair and another that is made of the soft buckskin leather. I did buy the white cleaning eraser and have been using that and it keeps them looking like new.

The only ones that have just begun to show any signs of wear are the green suede pair and I love them. I wear them so much that they have become a little smelly and the inside is wearing out just a little! Oh joy! Or not. It has been 4 years and they are just beginning to show signs of wear. I think that if every man, woman and child got about 4 pairs of Sperry's they could almost last a life time and there would not me a need for any other kind of shoe! What a thought!

I love my Sperry's and my other shoes. I just wish that some of my other shoes had the longevity of my Sperry's!

Choices

2010-10-22T15:22:00.002-04:00

I have plans for this evening but I feel like I need to make another choice. I can go to happy hour at a friends house from 5-8. Then I actually have theatre tickets to a play that begins at 8pm. I had planned to do both these things tonight. In addition I was invited to a tailgate party and a football game. What to do?

What I really want to do is go home and stay in. I am very tired today and just want to be still with a glass of wine and maybe begin to clean my house prior to the weekend actually beginning. The later it gets, the choice seems to be leaning in that direction!

Travel for All!

2010-10-22T14:41:00.003-04:00

For a few years I had the wonderful opportunity to work in the hotel industry with Disney and I guess that was when I was first made aware of the gay community really trying to carve out a market for places to vacation and go. I guess it was with Gay Day at the park...not promoted by Disney at all, but originated by the gay community to go in numbers to vacation spots. Nothing wrong with that. Prior to that I had never thought of that and this was about 10 years ago. Since then there are all sorts of travel spots, cruises, places that cater to all and that includes the gay community.

Take the San Diego Hillcrest Area for example. Most of the gay bars and restaurants are in Hillcrest. Some of the lively places to hit are Urban Mo's, Fiesta Cantina and the Brass Rail. These establishments have large bar areas, lively and diverse activities and great food! After dinner you can even dance the night away at Number's or Rich's. (I digress now but I remember in the 80's when disco was King, the gay bars in my town were the best places to go. They had the best music and the actual "fun" there could not compare to any other local place in town. Disco was a fun era!)

If you ever travel to the Las Vegas Area, the situation there is kind of dicey! Las Vegas is apparently not that gay friendly but you know Las Vegas. Glamor and glitz is everywhere of course and things stay open around the clock. There are bars there that stay over 24 hours a day. And I guess the saying "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" is true for the gay community as well. There is only one gay hotel there called the Blue Moon Resort and it is clothing optional! Wowee!

If you are ever in the San Francisco, Casto Area, the you have indeed come to the mecca of the gay world. Nicknamed the "gay hotspot of the world," it has excellent shopping, clubs, restaurants and bars. There is quite a long list of eating establishments but be sure to check out Trigger, Twin Peaks or Harveys. Everything you could possible want can be found there. The only thing to be wary of is the parking. Correct parking and meter times are strickly enforced and those tickets will not go away. So park correctly and be very careful! If you choose not to drive you are in luck because San Francisco has great public transportation.

Travel to the Big Apple will not be a disappointment! New York City has alot to offer. Chelsea has a lot to offer with bars and restaurants like XES, G Lounge, Grumpy Coffee and Splash NYC. The option for rooms is to stay in Time's Square since most of the hotels are concentrated there. There is where you will also find the shows on and off broadway.

There is a market for businesses that cater to the gay community. I know there is lots of money that is spent on establishements that cater to that community as well. It is good to know that the travel world is becoming more diverse and encompassing of all people.

A Cup of Crazy!

2010-10-14T21:34:00.003-04:00

A man came to our office to day and he had drank a cup of crazy! I thought he was an alcoholic but maybe a recovering one with the rambling and very loud speech. He kept asking me questions and I would answer and he would ask me again! Finally I told him to leave and that I could not talk to him anymore. I locked the door after him. He had dropped someone off at our building and the person was taking longer than usual and he had to go to work. At one point he began yelling and shaking the doors and telling me to go get that person. Since he was acting a fool I did. No telling what people will do these days. I did have to tell him to leave again. The person he was waiting for came out and he got loud in the lobby when he saw here. Oooohwee! He had taken a big swig from the cup of crazy before he left the house this morning!

Golf Shoes

2010-10-14T21:14:00.002-04:00

What kind of shoes would I wear if I were to go golfing? Well....I guess I would have to find the perfect golf shoe. Just looking at some, here are some stylish ones for women. Clearly it is a man's sport because the shoes for men are far more numerous than the few I have found for women! These look stylish and practical too!

A New Journey

2010-10-14T20:12:00.006-04:00

When I think of Myrtle Beach I have several distinct memories. I say memories because I have not been there in awhile. When I graduated from college my boyfriend and I planned to go just for the weekend. We did. We planned ahead and made a reservation at a hotel. I remember the traffic on 17 was just ridiculous heading that way and when we arrived at the hotel we arrived late. Later than the check in time. But I thought I had prepared for that as well. I called ahead and told the hotel we were arriving late.

When we arrived we were dissapointed. It was kind of like a house made into a hotel/inn which was okay...but they had given our room away anyway. We had nowhere to stay and it was about 9pm. What to do! What to do! Luckily we did find another place to stay. It was a much nicer place with an ocean view and I think we were very lucky to find it. It was the 2nd place after we left the original place we reserved!

That experience was about 20 years ago now and today if I were looking for a great Myrtle Beach Hotel I would quickly go on line to a site like Expedia and fine a nice resort. I have used them before for past travel arrangements and I have faith that my room would not be given away before I got there! My brother and sister-in-law travel to Myrtle Beach in the early fall and I am now considering the same thing. This is the perfect time when it is not too hot and not too cold. With the improvements that have been made to that area like the new rides, pavilion, shopping and shows, I know that my child and I would have a grand time.

Check out the Horizon Resort for example. This is definely a place I could stay. (For more in formation check out the link: http://www.horizonmyrtlebeach.com ) It is lovely with ocean views from most of the rooms. Who would not be happy with that? The rooms are actually condos so to me that would be like a home away from home! It is only a few feet away from the ocean but there is also a lazy river that I know my child would love. She swims like a fish! Another great feature that appeals to me in the wireless internet. These days the computer rules my life and having access at all times in important.

There is of course golf. I have only had the opportunity to place once or twice before in my life with my ex-husband but I would like to really learn how to play. There is a plethora of courses in the area so I would have no problem at all finding a course and an instructor to help me get a handle on the game. After the game I would easily find my way to the pool or the spa for a bit of relaxation. But you do not have to take my word on it. Just take the words of others. It is ranked as one of Myrtle Beach best hotels. Guests who have stayed there before have had quality down time in a beautiful setting. With the holidays coming up the resort even has some holiday specials.

In the future 20 years will not pass before another trip to Myrtle Beach will be planned. With places like the Horizon Resort, having a weekend away can happen anytime I feel the stress of the world and want to get away!

Shoe Thoughts!

2010-10-12T13:41:00.000-04:00

I had the blues because I had no shoes

until upon the street,

I met a man

who had no feet.

*Ancient Persian Saying

Me...Today!

2010-10-09T11:30:00.002-04:00

Today I am wearing my most comfortable pair of running shoes....I love my Asics Gels!

What I do is kick them in the pants with a diamond buckled shoe! ~~Aileen Mehle~~

As The Shoe Turns

2010-10-09T11:12:00.003-04:00

As the shoe turns....

I reflect on what a week this has been. It started off well and then the shoes all got a little nutty. Par for the course! It all began early in the week when several of the other shoes in the closet of various types...canvas, leather, cloth, dressy , casual began to leave and never to return. This made the ferragamo shoes really antsy. The ferragamos already have a host of personality issues ranging from being obsessive to high strung. So the ferragamos were in full gear panic mode by the time I got in on Monday. Luckily I have seen it all before. My motto is never take the crazy on! If someone is over the top...let that stay with them. Don't take it on. You cannot. They will only drag you down to their level and then beat you over the head and beat you down with their experience.

There was a lot of misplaced blame directed toward me for things that had nothing to do with me. I just looked and took no responsiblity for it! The first thing was the bad behavior of one of the various others who were leaving. Somehow that was my fault. Nuts! The next was the water vendor.

With the water vendor, I am just a small pair of shoes in the office..small but nice..Gucci! The ferragamos contracts with a water vendor to come and fill the coolers every 2 weeks or so. The water vendor came in on his day....I do not know the schedule but I was the only pair of shoes in the office. I am not privy to the contract or conditions. I assume he is showing up based on whatever the ferragamos and the company have agreed to . Normally the water vendor comes and looks for empty plastic containers, takes them and replaces them with full. Not a word to me is ever said.

Ferragamos is now mad because the water guy came and he did not want water this week. Who knew? Not me. How would I know? Why did he not call the company and cancel the order or change a schedule? So it is now my fault he has more water than he needs. He implied if it happened again I would be paying for water.

Yes! Insane! I do work with insane shoes! More to come later as the shoe turns!

New Shoes

2010-10-05T18:51:00.002-04:00

It really is time for me to get new shoes. I have been very good the last 2-3 years and have been trying not to buy any and just wear out the ones I have. All 69 pairs. I have worn out quite a few. Still quite a few are left. Now all the basic colors like black and brown need to be replaced. I have literally been throwing worn out shoes in the trash. I now need to do a new inventory and see how many I have now. My intervention has been working!

2010-05-18T20:43:00.001-04:00

Hi!

Shoe Getaway!

2008-11-30T10:11:00.002-05:00

I have really been good the last half of this year. I have not bought a single pair of shoes for myself since before July. I have taken an oath to try to wear out some of the shoes I have. BE-fore I buy more. I have gone to the places I buy shoes and have looked but that can be a pitfall. So I have purposely NOT looked at any shoes either. Now the purses I still do look at. I do not buy as I have about 40 of those. Maybe more. To go with all the shoes. They have to match.

The Office Shoe Roundup

2008-09-26T12:46:00.003-04:00

Well...this week has been a social awakening for me. I feel like the odd shoe out. Mainly because the others here are so uncultured. Really. I am not kidding. Ghettofab is not really speaking after I told her that popping her pimples at her desk was not appropriate. She feels my telling her that was not right. Please. The big boss has been crazy...yelling at people. He better not come to me with that. I yell back! My immediate supervisor is a puzzle. You can't quite figure her out. The only thing I know is that she wears the same pair of shoes just about daily...winter or summer. A pair of black low heeled mules. Toes out. I am tired of looking at those thing.

Today ghettofab came in socks with her flip flops. A little while ago I saw her in cheap high heels. For most of the day she has been slip sliding around in socks. The nerve of some! Cannot they wear proper clothes to the office! They are slack and tacky shoes!

Quick Trips

2008-09-22T00:06:00.002-04:00

The church we belong to is planning a three week trip to Australia next year to sing at the music hall. Corporate funding is what the director is looking for, but even so, dirty fila and I will not be able to go. Right now so much money was needed upfront and the fees to go are at least $3400 a person. So multiply that by 2 for both of us. I could send her alone but what mother wants to send her child who is a minor all the way around the world without her. I simply do not feel safe with that. She would be in the care of others who may n ot be looking out for her the way I would expect. Plus a minor child along in a foreign trouble might be a serious heartbreaking disaster.

So I am hoping that somehow, some way that we will have the funds as we get closer to the trip. I have always wanted to go to Australia. It is on my bucket list! If we can go we will be faced with making some last minute accomodations. We will most likely have to look into some last minute flights. Luckily there is a siote out there to help us do just that! At lastminute.com I can compare over 70 international and australian flights. I can do it with ease with a few clicks of the mouse. By simply putting in my travel dates and departure and arrival cities, I can get an overview of what is available when I make my travel plans. Gone are the days of calling all around. There should be no problem finding a last minute flight with over 70 flights to review.

They don't just have flights. They can help with all your accomodations for hotels, package deals and even last minutes accomdations for holiday get aways. Everything is all in one place for ease and convenience. If you are making a quick trip and need last minute accomdations be sure to check out lastminute.com.au. They even have something called secret hotels where you can get 75% off on hotels at some of the best hotels around. It is worth a chance, so check it out. I know I will be if I can come up with the funds for the two of us to go. It will be the trip of a lifetime!

Dior for Fall 2008

2008-09-21T23:03:00.003-04:00

I just love all these shoes. I would wear most of them. For a formal affair of course...like the ballet or the symphony. Where I am I find that people really don't like to "dress" anymore. I have seen blue jeans at the ballet. What is up with that? I went to see Lord of the Dance a few months ago for the 4th time and I must say there were very few as dressed up as I was. The art gallery, a new performance of Vivaldi? Pull out the formal clothes! Dress up. We normally have very little opportunity to dress to the nines in our every day schedules.

I live to dress up. These shoes would go quite well with several evening gowns and tea length dresses that I have.

Dior giraffe printed pony

Dior gold platform sandal

Dior plateform salome pump

Dior embroidered canvas pump

Dior cutout wedge sandal

Anne Klein Strutting Shoes

2008-09-20T07:08:00.002-04:00

I wore these shoes to work on Thursday. I have had them for about 6 months and have only worn them twice, so they are not broken in. They are more like party shoes because they are so sparkly and metallic. I love them. They go well with my blacvk skirt and silver glittery top I wear them with.

When I feel like I have no motivation to work that day...this is when these shoes come out. They generate comments from the other flip flop wearing co-workers in the office who come to work looking ANY kind of way! They are Anne Klein and are only $244 dollars. Every girl needs a pair of these!

Anne Klein New York Beloved

No White After Labor Day

2008-09-20T06:34:00.003-04:00

When I was younger there was a rule. No White After Labor Day.....not just shoes. Nothing white. The office manager came in on yesterday in a white skirt. I had to look. She wears black and lots of black all the time. She wore a lot of black the entire summer. She has never worn this white skirt before. Now it is after Labor day and she breaks out the white?

What was she thinking? No white after labor day. I told her it was September and that she is only allowed to wear white between Easter and Labor Day. 2 other heffers in the office jumped in saying it was SHOES only. I told them NO!.....not SHOES only and before you know it, the four of us were yelling and screaming about no white after Labor Day. It got crazy. 2 were saying that I always had to say something about peoples clothes or shoes . No...I said that I only mention things that are a sure sign of little to no home training or etiquette. Well. It only gets better. Or things that should only be done in the privacy of your bathroom at home...like popping pimples.

Everyone was grossed out then. They got quiet. I yelled, "don't make me mention all the gross things that you all do at work!" No white after labor day.... look it up people! We could hear the BIG boss coming in the door and those three girls left my desk area. Most likely to scratch their armpips and dig in their noses! The nerve of some people. I AM the fashion police in the office. LIVE with it PEOPLE!

Gross Office Shoes

2008-09-18T06:25:00.004-04:00

Today I woke up and it feels like fall. It is actually 68 degrees! It feels great. No AC will be needed in the house or the car! I wonder what Ghettofab will be wearing in the way of shoes today. She of course is a co-worker who is very obese and her shoes are a problem. She wears an actual size ten shoe but her feet are so very wide due to fat that she buys a size 11 just to get her feet to fit into any shoe. Then there is a big gap because they are too long. She wears heels...no....she brings heels to work to put on for about 2 minutes if she needs to go in front of the public. Normally she wears cheap flipflops everyday.

She shuffles along literally and I am always telling her to pick up her feet as she shuffles by my desk. Her gait is always very slow because of her size. She cannot move fast at all. Sometimes she gets on my last nerve as her hygiene and etiquette are something to be desired. Popping pimples at her desk, using dental floss at her desk, burping, farting in public. Makes me queasy to be around her too long. And you know what? She does not care..not one lick about what anyone thinks about her poor body habits. She has no intention of changing anything either. I have tried to tell her about correctness and what is and not appropriate in public situations. She likes being gross! That is all I can think.

The Odd Shoe

2008-09-17T06:54:00.002-04:00

I began a new position about a year and a half ago and when I look at my co-workers, they see me as the odd shoe. Why I am not sure. They seem like all odd shoes to me. I believe the problem stems from exposure to the world. The people I work with have none...literally. They think the foods I eat are strange. Some have never even heard of seen things like hearts of palm, or artichokes that are fresh, or blood orange juice, or sushi or asian pears or acai or even a different type of pasta. I took left over tortellini for lunch one day and it was an amazement to them. They must have been living under rocks their WHOLE lives. They think I am the odd one, eating or drinking odd and foreign things for lunch each day.

I go into work and often ask if anyone heard about"whatever" on the news last night. They do not watch the news. They do not know what is happening locally or globally. Having a conversation is like teaching school. You have to do a lot of explaining just to have a conversation. It gets old. It has gotten old. These odd shoes might just have to get walking. Being around very unsophisticated people gets old. In some cases it is just plain ignorance. and they are happy to stay right where they are.

My New Closet

2008-09-17T06:15:00.006-04:00

I have just moved and am so excited about my closet. It is a large walk-in closet with lots of shelves and lots of space. My shoes are so happy. I still do not have enough space for all of them to sit comfotably, but it works. See! Look at the new happy place for my shoes!

I thinkit is now time for a new inventory once I get all settled in. I got rid of many shoes that I had simply worn to death. Some have been replaced but not all.

ENZO ANGIOLINI BOOTS

2008-09-17T06:07:00.002-04:00

I was in the mall last Saturday and saw these on sale for only $26.00. Mine are brown. Well of course I had to get them. Are they not great! Did I need them? Hell no, but they were cute, so what else could I do? I had to buy them. I cannot wait for winter and cooler weather so I can put them on!

Home Away

2008-09-15T23:59:00.002-04:00

Sunmer time is just about over. We are in what I was told was called "Indian Summer." the last few hot and sunny days of September. But just because it is late in the season does not mean it is not time to have fun. The fun is not over just because school is back in session. For me, everyday is a great beach day. A great day to get away. I love getting away in the fall of the year. For that fall get-a-way consider using Home Away.

They have great vacation home rentals everywhere! The prices are great! I have stayed at high priced hotels that I booked myself. When I took a look at the Home Away site, I was excited about the great prices and variety of places to stay. From cabins to beach houses to condos, they have all that you would need to have a gret fall getaway! To find a great place to stay, just use the maps and select a site...could be in the states or in Europe or Carribean islands. Once you select your location, all the available cities and number of rooms available will pop up and you can select your accomodations.

You are even able to refine your search to the travel dates to be absolutely sure of availability. With 118,000 places to stay all over the world, finding a place to stay will be easy as pie! They have sites in 118 countries. There are even travel deals out there as well that start as low as $30 a night in sunny Florida. To bring us comfort and luxury without using hotels, the staff there works directly with property owners and managers. They want us to be completely satisfied, so there is even a guarantee that will ensure a great experience. So, just off the shades and get out the swimsuit. There IS time to squeeze in a other vacation before the winter is upon us. Use Home Away because it really will be your home "away," when staying on one of their properties.

Funny and Soulful Shoes Lost

2008-08-13T01:55:00.004-04:00

This past week has been not so good for several icons of the music and comedy worlds. We lost Bernie Mack and Isaac Hayes within days of each other. They will sorely be missed. In the loss of Bernie Mack, it seems to me he went too soon. He was in the prime of his career. I loved his
show.

When I think of Isaac Hayes the only thing that comes to my mind is Shaft. He did lots of tv and music in between, but for me Shaft is it! He was the bomb...like tic..tic!

Rest in Peace, Bernie and Isaac. Job well done. You both will be sorely missed.

Valencia Hoteles

2008-08-13T01:24:00.004-04:00

Tenía recientemente la ocasión de ir en un viaje de la misión a Guatemala. Por el primer tiempo tenía una ocasión de utilizar mi grado en " Spanglish." Puesto que era un viaje de la misión no era un de lujo dispara definitivamente de clase. Permanecíamos en lugares sin la agua corriente o la electricidad. Los hoteles acaban de tener ocasionalmente ventanas que eran apenas un agujero grande en los bloques de escoria. ¡Era una experiencia!

Ahora qué quiero ahora hacer es visita otra vez o ir a otro país de habla hispana y permanecer en estilo. Amaría ir a Valencia, España para una. Es una ciudad hermosa en la costa de España. Los turistas se reúnen allí para la playa, la pesca y todos los sitios hermosos para ver en la ciudad como los museos y el mercado del quintal. Encontrar un lugar para permanecer es tan fácil que hay un montón de Valencia Hoteles a permanecer adentro. La reservación de una habitación es fácil, pero usted debe reservar rápidamente, dado el renombre de la ciudad. Dentro de la ciudad usted tiene una gama completa de cuartos del lujo a la economía en los grandes precios de descuento. Algunos son incluso los 80% descontados ahora.

" Fácil a Book" le permite a los cuartos de libro en línea simplemente poniendo en las fechas que usted quiere visitar, que selecciona el tipo de comodidades usted prefiere y entonces golpeando un botón para buscar. Dentro de segundos su lista de lugares a permanecer le será presentada. ¿Cómo usted sabe lo que su están consiguiendo? Bien, los hoteles han sido visitados por el personal en fácil reservar y no se agrega ninguÌn hotel a menos que tenga su estampilla de la aprobación que sea un poner de la calidad a permanecer. No hay honorario de la reservación y se garantizan para ser los precios bajos disponibles.

No tenemos que limitarnos a Valencia cualquiera. Puede ser que quiera a un cierto día voy a Roma. ¡Encontrar Roma Hoteles será fácil tan bien como hay sobre 20.000 hoteles mundiales elegir de! Consiga tan en él. El mundo está esperando y con la ayuda de las relaciones calificadas del edificio del personal con los varios hoteles y su mangement, seremos siempre confiados de una estancia de la calidad en los hoteles uces de los en su red. ¡Si sea hoteles en Roma, Valencia, Dublín o aún Praga (Praga Hoteles) fácil reservar en la línea reservaciones podrán cubrir todas nuestras necesidades del recorrido!

Jessica Simpson Shoes!

2008-08-13T00:50:00.004-04:00

I was in the mall last weekend and eveywhere I went there were Jessica Simpson shoes everywhere! Almost too many stores had her shoes. I just want to know who is buying them? No one I know even has a pair. I love heels but some of hers are just soooo high! I have begun to look and ask my friends if they have a pair. No one does. The market here is saturated with her shoes. Some are cute, I must say...like these.

Who IS buying her shoes? I would like to know! Now Jessica Simpson.....she is going country!

Oprah's Shoes Gone Wrong!

2008-07-21T12:44:00.004-04:00

What is wrong with this picture? Can we say everything!? I heard all the rumors that Oprah and Tyler are dating and from what I have read, it may not be a rumor anymore. Barf! When I see these two together, the only thing that comes to mind is the song from Sesame Street...one of these things is not like the other...one of these things does not belong.

This seems to be a match that is most odd. I do not know what really happened with her and Steadman. They seemed like a great couple together....until I heard she paid him $350 million not to talk about the relationship. With all that time invested, it seems he would be more honorable than that...to take $350 million to go away. But I guess he got used to Oprah's life. He wanted to live in the life he got used to.

Oprah and Tyler Perry? Not a match made in heaven.

What I do is kick them in the pants with a diamond buckled shoe!
~~Aileen Mehle~~

Footus Acheius!

2008-07-21T10:48:00.004-04:00

These are what I have on today. They are comfortable, but somehow are not quite so comfortable after the 2nd hour. They are very high. The back wooden wedge REALLY elevates your heels to a new level. They look good and are great summer shoes. The 2nd hour comes in after 2 hours of steady walking. Then they are not so comfortable. My legs feel like they have really had a work out when I wear them. Would I buy them again.
I would...they are the Tahari Norwich. They are on sale now. I think I got them for about $32.00.

The Stripper Shoe Look?

2008-04-10T22:39:00.004-04:00

I got these because I am all about the look of snake skin. I loved them! They looked good on inteh store and when I got then home, dirty Fila said she was not too keen on them because they look like stripper shoes. What do you think? Do they? Now these are black and red poka dot. Imagine these in snake skin. That is what mine are. Do they look like stripper shoes?

They are Madden Girl shoes. I have yet to wear them. I am waiting for just the right outfit to jump out of my closet and say, "they go with me!" I am not going to be discouraged. I love these shoes and I plan to wear them. I guess I will have to wear something conservative to tone them down. Then, you know what! I do not care. I love these shoes. I will wear them when and I want. Stripper like or not!

Pinched to Death!

2008-04-10T21:56:00.002-04:00

I wore these for the first time on Monday. My toes were pinched to death all day. They were on sale for only $6.00 at TJ Maxx. They were a steal. Anne Klein. Suede. Beautiful. They felt fine when I tried them in the store. They felt good for the first two hours I had them on. They pressure began to set in as I sat at my desk. Well, I did not have my trusty crocs with me to switch out, so I was in shoe hell for the afternoon. With each step I took to the fax or the copier, they seemed to shrink even more around my toes. I just hope that this is just the pain of breaking them in.

Suede is supposed to give, or so I thought. Maybe after 3 or 4 more wearings they will fit like a glove. I sure hope so. They are lovely shoes and will go with so many winter things.

Scattered Shoes

2008-04-03T13:39:00.002-04:00

Like rats on a sinking ship, people are resignign left and right at work. Today another will resign that the bosses do not know about yet. He told me. Work is a very different place. The shoes here are just crazy. I have been here as a new pair of heels for about 6 months now. The big shoes are rubbing heels the wrong way. Now there are all sorts of strategy meetings being held in the morning to figure out what is wrong. If anyone would ask me I could tell them. They do not know how to treat a shoes with kid gloves. Whether old or new, if you want people to stay in a job, treat them well.

My Inner Valley Girl

2008-03-16T22:44:00.003-04:00

When I was in college, the whole valley girl thing was in. I was enamored with California and wanting to go there. It was a totaly different head...totally! Like I really could see me living on the beach in a totally rad place. Not some place that was grody to the max! Maybe live there for the summer in a like san diego beach house. WAY cool! How to choose? I would have to check out San Diego Vacation Rentals and Realty Consultants.

They were established in 1985 and specialize just in waterfront property near Mission Bay. Nice! Living on the coast myself, I really do have an appreciation for the water. The homes and rentals they manage rest on 5000 acres and 27 miles of shoreline. It seems that the general population do not really know they are there, but they are gaining in popularity each year. Mission Beach is the area that is key. Their are mission beach luxury homes that are perfect for vacations at any time of the year. You are never far from the beach or the bay and you can walk just about anywhere.

It does not rain in California (as the song says) so there is always lots to see and do. There are theme parks all around and in the Mission Bay area are The Wild Animal Park and Lego Land. In addition there are lots of community events that take place all year long. So if you are in the market for san diego vacation rentals, be sure to visit this site. They have pictures so that you can take a sort of virtual tour. It is good to be able to see what your are getting ahead of time. They also have a team of real estate porfessionals waiting to work with you in regards to your rental needs. So...embrace your inner valley girl. Get to California and stay in a great place in San Diego. The San Diego Realty Consultants will be able to handle all your needs to ensure a pleasurable stay.

Bringing Furry Back

2008-02-28T00:52:00.002-05:00

I was shopping at Phillips Shoes recently..just looking really when I saw these. I fell in love and just had to get them. The only bad thing about them was that they were not on sale. They were the full $79.00. Now, just a week later, they are on sale everywhere for $39.00. I love them. The pony fur feels smooth. It is not real, but it lools like it is. These are the Aerosoles: Spantastic. Comfy!

Embracing My Inner Cowgirl!

2008-02-04T23:57:00.000-05:00

It has been awhile since I visited my blogs. I have been consumed with family matters and work that left no time for anything like blogging. Boy how I have missed it. Slowly but surely I plan to get back into the swing of things. It is a new year and I have new shoes. It is good to be back. I hope I have the time to stay around a little more regularly.

Where am I now? A new job that I have been at for 6 months. New annoying co-workers who really do wear bad shoes. New shoes that I have yet to show you. But I will. Let's get the shoe on the road. Let me tell you about my shoe filled Christmas that I gave myself.

I went to visit dirty Filas godmother in Atlanta for christmas and I found the most wonderful pair of cowboy boots. Like I need another pair. I already have these that I love. I was in Lenox Mall and of course shopping for Christmas...you know...something for them, two things for me, something for her, two more things for me. Yeah that is how I roll! I saw these Frye boots and they screamed for me to get them. As soon as I saw them I was in love! I tried them on and of course my friend and dirty Fila were saying that they were hideous and that the store should be paying me to get them out of the place. They hated them. I bought them anyway. They could not believe it.

My friend said that I was not allowed to wear them around her, as I would look quite crazy in them. That was fine. I knew I would be wearing them when I got home for many years to come. Aren't they pretty? Pink sparkles? How can any girl pass them up? These are my new boots. Now don't hate...congratulate!

I have the light brown pair and they were a steal, on sale for only $132.00. Boooo-nanza!

Octoberfest

2007-10-29T06:57:00.000-04:00

Octoberfest is held in my city off and on. I do not recall it being held this year, but when I was in colledge it was held often. I went once and tried a lot of the darker ales. It was a big party for all the college kids. It actually was started long ago, back in 1810, when a royal wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen took place on Theresienwiese ("Theresa's fields"). As time passed by, Oktoberfest lost its original meaning, but preserved and even more acquired the spirit of overall joy and happiness. I wonder how it lost it's original meaning.

I wonder what it would be like to attend it in Germany. At times there are over 7 million people in attendence. I have never been to Germany but it too is a place I want to see some day. I have a good friend who was in the military and was stationed there for a few years. He loved Germany. I wonder if the hotels in germany are very expensive. With so many internet deals out there, I bet there are some very economical prices out there. I know there are some at Cheaper Than Hotels. They have a full range of accomodations from hostels to 5 star hotels at great prices.

They are able to do that because they have established a working network with various hotels and hotel chains around the world. Thus they are able to provide accomodations at very competitive prices. There are even special deals to be had, like last minute deals and some of the hotels in berlin even have free extras like internet access, faxing services and a gym. These free extras can be found at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Berlikn City Centre. It is located in the heart of the city just minutes away from the zoo and Kurfürstendamm boulevard. It is within 20 minutes of all the airports so, it makes it a convenient place to stay. Check out those prices. They are very reasonable.

You will find the same sorts of discounts at the hotels in munich. I noticed that today there is a special for only EUR 75. There are even some places that are on sale all year. Travel to Europe does not mean that you have to give up your life savings just to go. CheaperThanHotels.co.uk makes sure that is not the case. Their great deals make it possible for them to operate in 130 countries worldwide and they have even assisted over 100 million travelers with their accomodations.

My Newest Acquisitions!

2007-10-29T06:56:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I found a great sale at The Shoe Department. Designer shoes were on sale for as low as $6.95. I had some control. I only got one pair of white leather pumps that will be great for next spring and summer. They are by Bellini. Bellini shoes and footwear is one of New Zealand's foremost fashion brands. Created from the European catwalks and adapted to the New Zealand lifestyle, Bellini shoes are manufactured in imported Italian leathers, offering affordable, quality shoes for every occasion. Their range includes the basic classics though to more directional fashion styles. Low, medium to high heels ensure all tastes are catered for. I could only find them in red but mine are white. They were only $12.00. Wonderful smooth leather shoes! I can;t wait till next year to wear them.

Not Made for Walking

2007-10-09T22:44:00.001-04:00

These are what I wore to work today. They were comfortable and well broken in. They were great all day. Then. PTA meeting at dirty Fila's school. It was open house and so the parents had to attend all the classes. We had to spend about 5 minutes in in each class meeting the teacher. To do all the class it took 2 hours. The school is huge and I had to walk up and down stairs and walk long halls. By the time it was all over, I could hardly walk. My toes hurt now, even as I have my sperry's on. Those shoes are not made for excersize. Next time I will know. Change into my crocs!

Traveling Shoes

2007-10-08T23:26:00.001-04:00

Whenever I have gone anywhere, I have always had my traveling shoes in order. I have always scoped out where I was going and have always done lots of research to find out all I could about going. Whenever I am on a trip I always take lots of pictures. In the past it has always been about putting together a photo album. Now it is all about putting together a travel log. I just started a travel blog on word press. I did not know about the free travel log and travel guide available on Real Travel.

If I had know about this before, I might have started writing my travel blog there. I might have more visitors to come by that way. The good thing about the site is that is is all information gathered by real travelers...people who actually went to those places. Real people who know all the ins and outs and who can offer real tips and advice that can make the trip a success.

It is also a resource for people thinking about going to a place. They have the chance to get some first hand information. Once they decide where they want to go, there is a free trip planner that will allow you to do research and even plan your itinerary. There is even a "things to do page" that will allow you to check by subject what is available to do and where. Now that is a REAL travel guide! IF you want to network with other travelers, you can do that in the forums and you can even get prices and deals on your travel. It helps to have a point of reference on travel.

Blogs have made a recanting of your visit in a particular place an on line travel guide. With narratives and pictures and often times links, you can just about find out all you want to know before picking the final destination. Be informed. Check out Real Travel. It is real travel by real places recanting their real travel experiences.

Strutting Shoes

2007-10-08T23:04:00.000-04:00

These shoes are neck breakers. They are platform....BUT...they are just about the highest platforms I have ever seen. They are the highest pair of shoes I think I have. I got them at Parisians just as they were about to go out of business. They are brown leather, croc print. Just beautiful. I wore them for the first time about 2 months ago to church. They were not broken in. Within an hour I lived to regret not wearing them around the house first. I have not worn them since.

I have just looked at them. I need or plan to wear them around this weekend to break them in. They feel great. They just need to be stretched out a bit. The leather is so new. Once that happens, I know I could wear them all day.

Flights of Shoe Fancy

2007-10-08T22:31:00.000-04:00

When I look at this shoe, it makes me think of better times. Happier times. Times before I lost a parent. I long for the whimsical, content days of jazz on Sunday and dinners out and laughter not hidden. When all there is that is extended toward me is anger and ridicule, it gets old quick. I do get a reprieve at times. I escape with a cup of coffee at the Barnes and Noble. I escape with my IPOD to musical places I used to visit daily. Best of all there is the beach. All things are better there. The wind and the surf ebbing and flowing sooth my ruffled heels and aching toes. Right now, at this moment, life is a shoe tight in the toes. I am cramped and it hurts!

Flip Flopping Around

2007-10-04T06:42:00.000-04:00

I image that the only pair of shoes you would need in Hawaii are flip flops. That is what I see on TV generally. That is a very far away vacation spot. The thing that fascinates me the most are the volcanoes and the lore of now you can't take a lava rock or you will be cursed. I have heard those tales and have been intrigued. It has to be true because if you look that up on Snopes, the urban legend pages, it has the bad luck thing as true. It is not an urban legend.

I have not looked into staying in Hawaii at hotels or homes if I ever were to visit. In the event I do go there I at least have a place to research to find out about Hawaii real estate . Hawaii real estate has agents located on all the islands who can assist you in buying or selling property. For me moving there would be the retirement spot. The company which is American Dream Realty has partnerships with several mortgage companies to provide the best mortgage rates available. Free quotes are also available.

Oahu real estate is just one of the islands you may be interested in. Oahu is one of the bigger islands and is called the meeting place. Looking for property there is easy with the search tool on the site. To use it just enter your info, select the areas you are interested in and hit the search button. All properties then will pop up and you can contact an agent to get the lava rock rolling. (But just so long as it does not roll off the island--the curse)

Kauai real estate is just as easy to obtain or anywhere else for that matter. The company is worldwide and manages both rental and home owner properties. Even if you did not want to buy, you would be able to rent. When I think of any place on Hawaii I think of paradise...the beaches, the surfing, volcanoes and scenery. I do hope to visit there one day. I know that at least now, there is an easy way to find a place to live or rent while there, that is designed with me in mind. The best rental rates or mortgage rates that will save money for both me and the owners. So I had better gather up my flip flops for a possible future trip to the "big island". American Dream Realty can make the trip or retirement to Hawaii an American dream reality.

My New Sperry's

2007-10-04T06:36:00.000-04:00

I bought a pair of Sperry topsiders just like these in two different colors very early in the summer. I got a pair of green suede ones and a pair of cream leather ones. They are wonderful. The green sueded ones will go with many winter things I have. I have worn the cream pair and they go with just about everything. With the heavy leather on the bottom they are most durable.

I truly believe that a girl can never have enough Sperry's. I am up to five pairs now.

Sneaking In

2007-10-04T06:28:00.000-04:00

Recently I have taken to sneaking in new shoes whenever I buy them. These lovely shoes dirty Fila wanted for winter so I got them. The only difference is that hers are brown. So to get them into the house without any comments being said, I took them out of the bag and took all the stickers off and put them in the garage. You know, make them look like they have always been around and that they were taken off in the garage for some reason. Then..on to dirty Fila's closet, they will go. They are American Eagle clogs.

See. Don't even think that there is not a way for me to buy a new pair of shoes. I have ways!

Something Other than Uggs

2007-09-29T01:45:00.000-04:00

My main reason to go to Australia would be for the country side. I want to go there badly. It is on my list of places to see before I go to the great shoe store in the sky. I would of course be wearing Uggs or Blundstones. What else would I be wearing? They tend to be kind of expensive but then again they are all real leather. I would be okay with that because it is all about the shoes. I would be even more happy because of the wonderful deals I would get on Sydney Hotels. Can you believe there are specials that run only $79.00 per day? That is at the Metro Inn Edgecliff. That is most economical, so I could spend a little more on shoes. Sydney can accommodate the traveler looking for a five star hotel to the student who is looking to stay at a hostel.

It is nice to know that affordable hotels are available in Sydney and in other cities all over Australia. Take the Darling Harbour Hotels. This area is one of the main tourist hangouts with lots of restaurants, exhibits and nightlife. There are bargains that start as low as Fr. AUD 130. There are lots of attactions all within walking distance of the area hotels. Some of the hotels there also offer free inclusions during your stay with them. There are even last minute deals to be had and special offers with 21 days of arrival.

North Sydney Hotels are located with the business district. There is train and bus service that can take you to the city or to and from the airport. If you choose to walk, you can be back in the city in twenty minutes and five minutes by cab. So even staying there, a little furthur out is not an inconvenience. You still have easy access to all the attractions of the city. In North Sydney the accomodations are guest houses, apartment, flats and some hostels. When staying there ask about free inclusions like parking, internet access, breakfasts and gyms. You might not even want to leave the hotel at all if the services at the lodging are very nice.

With all these deals and freebies, ther is not reason not to have a grand time in Australia. Economical and quality accomodations are just a few clicks away.

School Shoe Drama

2007-09-29T01:22:00.000-04:00

Im mid August my nephew was visiting and my mother too him out on a $600 shopping spree like he did not have any parents to buy him school clothes. No problem with that. But, if you do for one grandchild like that you have to do the same for the other and that was not done. When we were all out together, I suggested that she go ahead and get dirty Fila her school shoes. That request was refused. My mother said that she would get them later. Well, there is no time like the present in my book. You have the purse strings open for one grandchild, they need to be open for the other.

Well, of course later never came. She never did get her anythign for school at all and never suggested we go out to get anything for her. School is now in session. I knew that my mother would do that as my nephew is her favorite and she shows him all sorts of extra attention that she never turns to my child's way. dirty Fila felt bad. I spoke to her and told her not to worry. I would be able to get all of her school things and all the shoes she wanted as well. To begin the school year she wanted two pairs of Sperry Topsiders. I got her both. These are the ones.

She got these and all was right in the world again for her. Me? I still believe it was wrong for my mother not to do for one grandchild as she has for another.

Nikes for the American Indian

2007-09-29T00:55:00.000-04:00

Nike unveiled Tuesday what it said is the first shoe designed specifically for American Indians, an effort aiming at promoting physical fitness in a population with high obesity rates.

The Beaverton-based company says the Air Native N7 is designed with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of American Indians, and has a culturally specific look. It will be distributed solely to American Indians; tribal wellness programs and tribal schools nationwide will be able to purchase the shoe at wholesale price and then pass it along to individuals, often at no cost.

"Nike is aware of the growing health issues facing Native Americans," said Sam McCracken, manager of Nike's Native American Business program. "We are stepping up our commitment ... to elevate the issue of Native American health and wellness."

Nike designers and researchers looked at the feet of more than 200 people from more than 70 tribes nationwide and found that in general, American Indians have a much wider and taller foot than the average shoe accommodates. The average shoe width of men and women measured was three width sizes larger than the standard Nike shoe.

As a result, the Air Native is wider with a larger toe box. The shoe has fewer seams for irritation and a thicker sock liner for comfort.

Hoteles en Spain!

2007-09-08T23:56:00.000-04:00

Last year dirty Fila's middle school class tried to get a group to go to Spain. It did not get off the ground because it cost too much and the money was needed right at the start of the school year. It sounded fantastic but I had to say no to that one. Now in the future, I plan to let her go and me too. I want to go to Spain. I just want to travel period! Barcelona and Madrid are definitely two places I want to go.

Where would I stay once I got there? What are the prices like? Well wonder no more. Hoteles en Barcelona run the fill gamut from one star hotels that cost 18 eur to five star places that cost a lot more. There is something in a price range to fit every budget. There are even special free incentives and even great deals on last minute bookings. Spain has alot to offer from the beaches to the city. It seems that it is the place to go with many ways to get there whether it be by plane, car or train.

Hotels in Madrid can be so economical because Cheaper than Hotels offers year round pricing due to the fact that they have formed excellent working relationships with leading hotel chains and thousands of hotels across the globe. That allows them to bring the best competitive prices to their guests. You can even get last minute deals that come with freebees like free parking and even some meals. If it is within 20 days of your arrival, last mintue bookings are available with full payment due once you arrive. You just need to reserve the accomodations on line with a booking fee or deposit.

Lines are manned 24 hours a day and there are even bilingual staff there to help with any language barriers. Hotels in Barcelona are just as economical. It is very easy to book. Just fill in the dates of your arrival and departure and where you want to go. Once you hit the search button, it will bring you all the results of hotels and other things available during the time you want to go. That is ease in travel. With the web that trip to Spain will be a breeze. So eb sure to check out cheaper than hotels.

Spanish Shoes

2007-09-08T23:43:00.000-04:00

I have begun to take up Spanish again. I took it for 8 very long years and got very good at it. In the past 8 years I have not really used it and it is now leaving me. I want to become very conversational again. Especially with dirty Fila taking it now in high school--the advanced class. She has had it for the last 3 years in middle school.

I want to be fluent because I think she has a school trip to Costa Rica this summer. I want to go as a chaperone and I want to be able to speak the language just as well as she does. I found a great book that comes with a CD.. Spanish Now. So far so good. I will be soon be wearing my flamingo shoes!

It's Me Again

2007-09-07T07:10:00.000-04:00

It has been awhile. I have been very busy with all sorts of non-blog like things. I have missed being here. And guess what? In the interim I have bought some new shoes and have finally worn some I have been saving until the fall. New but have never been worn. I want to get back to comign more frequently. I plan to do so. This had been a fun place to come to when things were stressful. Shoes can take my stress away.

I have also had some odd shoe encounters. Very odd. More to come.

Downunder

2007-07-31T08:30:00.000-04:00

Cheap hotels in Sydney are as plentiful as the many styles of Ugg boots that I would be wearing when I was there. Sydney is one of my dream places that I want to see on a vacation. Once Survivor was filmed on location in the outback, I was hooked. Australia was one of the places that was on my list. Whatever your accomodation needs are, whether it be a 5 star hotel or just a place to sleep, you will be able to find it at a reasonable price. There are even special deals for travel on short notice available. While my trip will be planned it is nice to know that if you were to hit a windfall and decide to take off, you would have no problem with accomodations.

Some of the best values in Sydney Hotels can be found in Darling Harbour because of all the attactions there. It would be great to be so close to the Sydney Aquarium. I hear that is a spectacular place. In addition, there are water activities, the threater and museums to choose from as well. Today there is even a special on accomodations that begin at $99.00 at the Vulcan Hotel. Be sure to check that out.

Sydney Accommodations at such good values are available only via Cheaper than Hotels. They have put together a team of professonal staff that have created good working relationships with various hotels around the world in order to provide their customers with such good prices. They provide competive rates with many free perks! If you are on the move to go downunder or back of beyond , then check out the values on the hotels in Sydney. You will not be disappointed! You might just be happy as larry! G'day.

Wellie Hater!

2007-07-31T08:16:00.000-04:00

My mother is a wellie hater. I was talking about boots that I really like and the fact that it hasd just begun to drizzle outside. My mother informed me that she absolutely hates my rain boots. She hates the cowboy boots as well, but she REALLY hates my rainboots. I informed her that regardless, I loved them or I would not have bought them and that I would be wearing them regardless of what she thought! Can we say FIGHT! Hating my shoes is fighting words.

Now I could see if I were wearing rain boots on sunny days.....now that is an idea...on sunny days and looking crazy! Say something then. But not just because y9ou don't like them and I have been wearing them for two years. The nerve. Some peopel just don't have good taste. I will be earing my rain boots and cowboy boots for many years to come! She had better watch out! She might get a pair of rain boots for her birthday! See how she likes those wellies..I mean apples!

Here are my offensive shoes!

Thoughts About Learning

2007-07-26T21:13:00.000-04:00

I was talking with a friend of mine whose child is now in college and she said that one of the things she did that really made a difference in her child's education and college choice was listening to books on tape. Instead of listening to the radio whenever they were in the car, she was listening to classic books like Wuthering Heights, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies and Shakespeare. She did this and she said it helped alot with her childs comprehension and vocabulary. I thought that was a great idea. I went to my local library on yesterday and checked out Animal Farm and Pompeii, The History of the Roman Empire for dirty Fila. Can we say she was not pleased.

We had a long talk about why I was doing this and how it could help her future and that she needed to look to the future for high school and college. She reluctantly finally did listen to what I had to say. It is only to help her. I also explained that no matter how old you are, learning never stops. It does not stop when school is out during the summer or after you complete college. Learning continues forever. I explained to her that I might be going back to graduate school and that I might do that the e-learning way. Nowadays with the age of technology people can get graduate and undergraduate degrees in the conveniece of their own homes via computer. Capella University is one establishment that provides that for its students.

With e-learning you can access your classes and tests at any time. You also can participate in class discussions and interact with the professor as needed. Grades and homework are posted online. It is so easy it is almost like using an email system. Using the computer to study is interactive with a good deal of your course work being done offline. Capella is an accredited university with some of the best teachers in their field of academics. There are also enrollment counselors that will help with your course selection to be sure that you reach your educational as well as professsional goals.

Enrollment is open now, so consider enrolling. It is never too late to get an education or furthur the one you already have. Capella has eight new graduate and undergraduate programs in information technology, education, criminal justice, psychology and business. They also have a new program in public safety making them among the first on-line schools to offer that to their students. Capella is an institution that is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence !

Almost Time for School Shoes

2007-07-26T20:56:00.000-04:00

dirty Fila informed me today what shoes she wants for school. She wants a new pair of Sperry topsiders and a pair of some special sort of Adidas shoes. I can't recall the type, but she can. What I do recall about them is the price...about $70. The Sperry's will be about $60. I have already priced those. This is the shoe she wants but I noticed some other new styles that were just as nice or nicer for fall. She may not end up with these.

Bride Attacks Groom with Stiletto Shoe

2007-07-11T10:10:00.000-04:00

This is not the best way to start off the perfect marriage!

(AP) LONDON Scottish bride Teresa Brown's dream of a perfect wedding day probably did not include attacking the groom with her stiletto shoe and spending the weekend in a cell.

Police arrested the 33-year-old in the couple's hotel room in April while her wedding reception continued downstairs, prosecutor Alan Townsend said Tuesday at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. She spent the rest of her wedding weekend in a cell.

The distraught groom, Mark Allerton, 40, staggered to the front desk, clutching a bloody towel to his head, Townsend said.

"He indicated that his wife had struck him over the head with a stiletto heel," the prosecutor said.

Police found Brown, a real estate agent's assistant, sitting on the hotel room bed, surrounded by broken glass.

Brown told police she and her husband had "been accusing each other of different things," the prosecutor said, without going into details. Brown said she hit him on the head because he had taken a hold of her, he added.

Brown's lawyer Stuart Beveridge said the newlyweds began throwing things at each other after an argument in their room turned physical. He said Brown had been on antidepressants at the time and had been drinking.

"She and her husband are still together although this incident has not helped," he said, adding she is receiving counseling.

Sheriff James Tierney let Brown off on the assault charge with a warning and fined her 250 pounds ($505) for damaging the hotel room and ordered her to pay the hotel 500 pounds ($1,150) in compensation.

Hilton Treetops said in a statement that they were happy the case has closed.

"This has been a very unusual case," the hotel said.

Happy Fourth of July!

2007-07-03T22:04:00.001-04:00

Celebrate in the "right attire!" Can't have a dress like this without the correct shoes!

Reform School Shoes

2007-06-27T01:39:00.000-04:00

Enough already. Poor rich little Paris. Is she now going to be wearing reform shoes? According to what I had read she "says" she is. One article said that God has given her another chance. With all the antics I have seen it is very hard for me to take that with any seriousness. All I can see is her saying, "God. He's hot!" That sounds like the REAL Paris. There have been too many of these types of pictures. Who really takes her serious? She is almost a walking vagina, she shows it so much!

EWWWWWH! Does she have a rash in that photo? So after a pink cake and hair extensions she is a new woman who has found God. I will have to wait and see if she is really wearing reformed shoes and for exactly how long.

Keen Footwear-Hybrid Life

2007-06-26T17:36:00.000-04:00

I have just bought a pair of Keens. Why? Just because they are a little different. They are all about standing: up, out and for something. Shoes with a vision. I will be doing some ruigged walking and hiking when I go on vacation in a few weeks so some different shoes than what I already have were needed. My Keen Footwear is the Hood River II shoe. These shoes are a cross of water shoe, part sandal and part Crock.

The traction on them is great! They are made with a wet traction technology called Aqua Stop that gives the Keen Hood River II has serious grip even on slick surfaces. Because of the open air design drainage when in or near water is no problem. The webbing under the strap also helps with drainage. It is a very comfortable shoe that I can wear just about all day. Here they are.

As soon as I can get my camera I will post me in them. I have started wearing them today to break them in before the trip. Nothing is worst than a bad pair of shoes on a trip. Trust me I know first hand....I will never forget those horrible pair of Nine West Bad Bad Shoes that ripped up my heels. Going on a trip? Break the shoes in first!

You can get a pair like mine/these here. It has been 6 hours now and they are the most comfortable shoe I have ever had on. They are fantastic! Several styles to choose from.

These are some men styles!

London Travel

2007-06-26T16:54:00.000-04:00

One of these days in the very near future I would love to go to Europe. I really just want to hit all the highlights on the first time. I would have to go to London. The Royals and Buckingham Palace are there. That is one place I would have to see. I mean they have lived there since 1837 and the Queen allows parts to be visited by the public. It would be one of the first places to see and soon after would be Big Ben. There are lots of places to stay from the very nice to the very cheap. I think I would be somewhere in the middle. Cheap hotels in London are everywhere. That is why it is the hot spot of so many students to go to after graduation. I remember when I graduated from high school eons ago, quite a few of my classmates were given that by their parents as a gift.

I am not sure if those who were going were going to stay in hostels or not. I just know that accomodations are quite affordable there for as little as gbp 10.00. Who can beat that? Now that is a hostel but if all you are looking for is a place to sleep it is worth it. For that cost it is a 1 star accomodation. Due to all of the beautiful, historic landmarks, cheap accomodations can be found everywhere in just about every suburb. Take the cheap hotels in Piccadilly for example. If you are backpacking the prices start at GBP 20 and go on up to GBP 168 for a 5 star hotel for those who want just a little more comfort. These prices are good all the time, whether your trip is one that has been planned for a year or whether you decided to make a last minute jaunt. Lots of the accomodations are within walking distance of famous landmarks like Trafalgar Square or Hyde Park.

CheaperThanHotels is far reaching with accomodations in other places as well. One of my dream places is Down Under and sure enough there are cheap hotels in Australia . Australia has such a varied landscape with beaches and tropics to very dry areas. There are budget accomodations and luxury resorts in all of those areas that range from serviced apartments, hotels and backpacker hostels. CheaperThanHotels has last minute deals that are available only on line and extras that come with some of your travel selections. How can they do this? Well they have established networks with leading hotel chains worldwide to bring affordable travel arrangements to the public at competetive prices.

Sleek Golden Shoes

2007-06-24T19:31:00.000-04:00

The shoes are said to be made of up-to-680g pure gold by an Italian designer in Wuhu, Anhui Province under the invitation from World Gold Council. Price? Most likely priceless. I would not think it would be very comfortable. Does gold give like leather? No. They make a showy statement!

Golden Glitteries

2007-06-24T19:25:00.000-04:00

While the gold shoe to come is off limits to almost all except the rich, famous and eccentric, we all have the opportunity to buy gold and reap the benefits in investing in gold. Since the ancient civilizations man has known the benefits of gold investment. It can increase your economic worth and your buying power. While I would not want a pair of golden shoes, I would like coins or the bullion. Based on your financial situation, there are several ways to invest. You can just invest or buy coins outright with cash and have them delivered to you. The other option is to finance a purchase with a 20% down payment.

It is relatively simple to do. Decide the form of gold you want and how you want to buy/invest then call Monex. There are investment specialist who will guide you through the process. Your price and purchase rates will be confirmed, you will then get a written confirmation of the transaction. Payment is due the day you call and once the holding period for money transfer is completed, your gold will be on the way to you. You can have it shipped to your bank and walla! gold is yours! In the future if you wanted to change your investment and sell, that is easy to do to. Just call Monex again and a sale can be transacted.

Gold shoes? Not so good an investment. Nice novelty. Gold coins or ingots? Now that is what I want to have for keeps.

My Summer Sandals Continued

2007-06-24T18:04:00.000-04:00

Well, an update to this post. I forgot about this pair. After I saw how lovely the off white flip flops went with so many things I decided that I should break down and get a pair of shoes that really were nice enough for dressing. I got these by Nine West. They are white patent leather and very nice. They too dress up everything and can go anywhere. I can't even remember the last time or year that I had a pair of white shoes. I had decided that white shoes were taboo long ago. Now, this year for me, the white shoe is in!

My Summer Sandals

2007-06-24T17:45:00.000-04:00

I took a look around in my closet and realized that the only shoes I owned for 2 inches and higher and heeled. I have no flats at all of any kind. I had a pair of old flip flops that I had about 4 years ago. I threw them out and decided to go shopping over the past 2 weeks for flat shoes. Not so much nice flats for summer dressing but really casual. All my shoes are dress heels. All my sandals are dress sandals with 2-3 in heels. Heels do not work for long distance walking. I have had to walk far distances lately and those heels are not working.

I have even taken to walking in the flats and then changing into the heels once I arrive at my destination. My flats fit into a large purse or my briefcase and noone knows the wiser. I still strut in with the best, highest shoes on! Bam! Heels are in the house!

So what have I purchased? Well, I guess I will start with the Uggs. These I love and they are my very first pair of Uggs. I have seen several pairs of the boots around in the winter but they are pink or purple. Can't buy those. These are very comfortable and they go just about with anything casual.

The next pair of shoes I got were on a whim. I was at Target with my child dirty Fila and she wanted a pair of flip flops. I am not to keen on flip flops for anyone but I did get her a pair. As we were leaving the aisle I spotted these and was struck by the "flip flop cuteness" of them. Well they screamed buy me. The rhinestone dressed them up so much that they make casual things almost dressy! I have worn them quite a bit now and they are a bit dingy. I think I will be getting another pair. This is really a fashion must have for summer. A big "yeeeessss" for the embellished glam flip flop!

These Shoes are $300

2007-06-18T00:08:00.000-04:00

I have seen this before but it has been a very long time ago. Fun ny, but it has a few cuss words. Enjoy!

Shoes Again!

2007-05-28T00:48:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the shoe gods who raise all heels and keepme supplied in leather and snake skin shoes! I can wear them again. Heels, that is. I sprained my ankle awhile ago and was doomed to break down and get a pair of crocks. I am finally able to wear my high heels again. My ankle is no longer wobbly!

Today for church I was able to wear my black Anne Kleins. Here are my pretties!

Slow Cooked Macaroni and Cheese

2007-05-11T16:30:00.000-04:00

Slow Cooked Macaroni and Cheese
Carnival of Recipes

This is a recipe that I love to make in the winter time. It is down home comfort food. I plan to make some late this evening for dinner on tomorrow. One of my coworkers made this for a luncheon and it was the hit out of all the food there. He did not use the tomatoes. Just all the other ingredients. I have made it with and without the tomatoes. It is still yummy! As one of my friends likes to say, "It is slap your momma good!" Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked, drained, rinsed with hot water (about 3 cups cooked macaroni)
2 tablespoons real bacon bits
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 can (14.5 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery

PREPARATION:

In a slow cooker, combine macaroni, bacon bits, onion, undrained stewed tomatoes, and Cheddar cheese. Pour mushroom soup over top. Mix well to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 - 8 hours. Mix well before serving.

Ease in Forms

2007-05-11T08:24:00.003-04:00

Web Forms can be made very easy these days with the help of Forms4free. It literally can be done in about 5 minutes and you do not know need to be en expert in HTML code. For a modest cost of $19.95 you will get a formmail file that you actually download to your website to create webforms for your site. The benefit of this is that it is not being done remotely and then sent to you. Using the wizard within the program will allow you to process the HTML form yourself. This also cuts down on spam by preventing the email address from being removed.

A working form is guaranteed so after you do purchase the program you are not left with problems. There is a staff there ready to help and to address any concerns that you may have. With no remote processing, your forms will look more professional as well. Check out Forms4free, you might just have to make that switch!

Violin Wars

2007-05-11T08:24:00.001-04:00

dirty Fila has been playing the violin since the 4th grade. Now she wants to stop playing. She goes to high school next year and she has informed me that she no longer wants to play a stringed instrument. Can we say violin war? Can we say Hell No! I think that it is very important for kids to have some extra curricular activities. It looks good on college resumes and it helps them to be more well rounded.

I reviewed her sign up sheet for next year and she had drama down as her special area. We had a long discussion and I changed it back to strings. She was not happy but she turned it in. Later about a week ago, she let it slip that she had changed it back to drama before turning it in. Now parents had to sign that. I will be looking into that for this fall. She needs to be taking strings. She has come to far to stop now. When she gets to college if she does not want to play, then make that change.

She needs to wear her violin shoes for just a little longer!

The Right Equipment

2007-05-10T22:23:00.000-04:00

Well, as you know I love hiking boots and I do love my Sperry topsiders. If you read in a prior post this week I wore a pair to the beach and they got soaked. Shoes are not the only thing you need when dealing with the sea or the ocean or the beach. If you are doing any sort of activity, you also need to have the right equipment. While Sperry's are the perfect shoe for boating or fishing as they are made to get wet, they are not the only equipment needed for a perfect day of fishing.

For fishing, after purchasing those topsiders, you need to get the correct equipment for fighing, hiking or boating. That place would be Raymarine . They have all the top quality brands of fishing equipment to help make fishing a breeze. Brands like Astron, Garmin and Standard Horizon are some of the most trusted in the marine electronic industry.

Now it does not matter if you fish for a living or just sometimes for leisure. They will have all you need from radars, sonars, GPS systems and fish locators. To top it all of, they even had equipment at discount prices. In addition, they carry the fishing fundaments like rodholders and pliers.

If you need assistance, dedicated professionals are available from 9-6 on weekdays and a half day on Saturday. The company strives to make fishing easy, so when you pull away from the deck you will be just thinking about catching the big one and not worrying about faulty equipment. So be sure to check our Raymarine for all your electronics. They have all that you will ever need for going out to sea.

Thursday Thirteen # 5

2007-05-09T21:23:00.000-04:00

Thirteen of my Favorite Scents!

The Ocean: There is nothing cleaner than the clear, fresh scent of an ocean breeze. I wish I could bottle the smell of the ocean and take it home with me when I leave! The air in the city is just not the same.
The fragrance Knowing by Estee Lauder. This is my first preference for a winter fragrance. It smells so good I can just about eat it with a spoon. I get lots of compliments when I wear it , so it must agree with my body chemistry.
The smell of my child, dirty Fila soon after she was born. You know that special smell that babies have. To me it was a heady perfume. I can remember that smell in my mind's eye.
The smell of Safari by Ralph Lauren. Something about that smell of sweet old leather drives me wild. I am currently out o f it. I need to buy some more.
I love the eucalyptus spearmint line of aromatherapy products by Bath and Body works. If I can't get to the ocean to de-stress, then I can use my bath salts, scrubs and creme
Flowers, but only certain ones. Not the really smelly ones like paper whites. I love the smell of petunias, peonies and hyacinths.
Pluff mudd: I grew up in the south near the ocean and that black icky mud of the marsh has a smell. It is decaying plants and marsh animals and methane gas. The mud actually "pluffs" when the gas is released. I love the smell of pluff mud. When I smell that I know I am home.
The smell of nice cologne on a well dressed man. The key here is well dressed. If you were to place a man in scrubby jeans and sneakers next to a man in a suit and let them wear the same cologne, the man in the suit would smell better to me. There is something about a man in suit with nice cologne that takes me away.
Rain: the smell of rain is just cool and refreshing
Irish Spring Soap: if anyone has noticed I have been away from blogging since last November and am just getting back to blogging.( My last "13" was back in October and I had just begun to participate.) My father was ill and he died on December 22, 2006. He always used that soap. When all the funeral arrangements were being made and I would pass near the bath that he used, and I would always catch whiffs of that soap coming out of the bathroom. He had an 8 pack of it that he had recently bought before he died. About a week after he passed away I took a bar home with me and opened it and set it out in my own bathroom. I wanted to keep the smell of my father around for just a little while longer. He always smelled clean. I will always love the smell of Irish Spring soap.
Christmas Trees: there is nothing like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree. I love it so much that I buy the candles and room spray from Bath and Body works that smell just like it. I can have that smell in March and July. dirty Fila is constantly hiding my can of room spray. I have been using it a lot this past month. She is always complaining,"Mom, it is not christmas, stop spraying that christmas tree spray !" She has even begun to hide my cans. Lucky for her, you can't hide much from a mom!
Chocolate: I am a chocolate-holic. I love the smell of it. Love to eat it and drink it. There is no intervention that will work for me.
I have saved the best for last. The smell of new shoes just out of the box. New leather shoes are intoxicating! The smell does not last long. The first time you open the box once you get a new pair home, take a sniff. Nothing like it! I bet most people never even relish that smell of new leather or even pay attention. Nothing smells as sweet as a new pair of shoes!

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College Shoes

2007-05-09T09:48:00.000-04:00

When I think back to college I do remember the sort of shoes I wore back then. This was in the early 1980's, so prep, punk rock and disco were in. When I was preppy I wore espadrilles, when I was doing out dancing under all those disco balls on the weekends I wore heals and when I was in school, I lived in those flat cloth chinese mary janes. I loved those shoes. I wore them day in and out. So did everyone else. They were less than $20 and so comfortable.

Comfort was key in those days to get us through all that studying. After 4 years I had a degree and was thinking about grad school. I did put that off after deciding to go to work. I wish now I had not. I should have gone right on and did it all at one time. They say hindsite is 20/20. Well, I still have the opportunity with an online degree program.

I have been reading about the masters program at Capella University. It is an established school that has been around for 15 years or more. They offer 82 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 16 certificate programs. So there will be many options to choose from. Instead of wearing my mary janes, I can wear my bathrooms slippers! With the program since it is e-learning I work from home when ever I want. The time is up to me.

As an adult learner, this program would be perfect as it would allow me to balance home, work and school. In addition, it will be changing my future as an advanced degree will open more financial doors and career opportunities than I have now. I would be able to download assignments, read notes and contribute to class discussions all by way of my computer or laptop. What could be easier than that? Don't wait! Make the move. Go on and get that degree. I really think that is the way I am headed for this fall. At least part time to begin on my masters. I have waited way too long to get started.

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Valentino Shoes 2007

2007-05-09T01:41:00.000-04:00

Valentino Metallic Bow d'Orsay

$650

The sexy, feminine peep toe is back! Again the metallic shines on!

Pierre Hardy Shoes

2007-05-09T00:06:00.000-04:00

Gold is always in, in my book. These shoes by Pierre Hardy have the midas touch! He has some great summer shoes in his collection! I would wear any of these! Love them! wel, mayeb I spoke to soon about the tennis shoes!

Virginity Lost

2007-05-08T23:32:00.000-04:00

I lost my virginity today. I have waited a very long time. I went to the beach and it happened. No more was I pristine or, new, as in factory condition. I stepped into the water, almost got over my head and what can I say. It happened. I was swept up in the moment. The wind, the ocean breezes, the water.

Water lapped all around me and I knew I had been christened! I only went 1/2 way at first, but decided to go all the way. In I went. I walked into the ocean and got totally soaked! I must say I have never felt that way before. It was quite an experience! It was my first nautical experience.

My name is Sperry Topsider and today, Tinker wore me to the beach and jumped into the water with me on! I have never been wet before!

What did you think I was talking about? I am talking about shoes!

Shoes! Only shoe-ese is spoken here!

If The Shoe Fits

2007-04-25T15:42:00.001-04:00

A Cinderella story it isn't. There is a mysterious shoe and a fitting to find its rightful owner. There's even a wedding. But, at least for the shoe's alleged owner, there is no happily ever after.

The story begins with a van plowing into the bathroom of a house in Holiday, a suburb of St. Petersburg. Residents Sandy McCombie and her fiance, Michael Toth, watched the van's driver flee across their front lawn — leaving a shoe behind.

The Florida Highway Patrol was investigating about an hour later when John Glen Aquista, 43, of Holiday walked up to the scene.

The man was bloody, wearing only boxer shorts and, most important, shoeless. His injuries looked as if his face had smashed into a steering wheel, investigators said. Aquista denied involvement in the crash, but the van was registered to his address, the patrol said.

When a trooper asked him to slip on the wayward shoe, "it was a perfect fit," the FHP said.

Aquista was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage and driving without a valid license. He was being held in the Pasco County jail in lieu of $1,250 bond Monday, jail records show. It was not clear whether he had an attorney.

McCombie, 46, and Toth, 39, plan to get married Friday.

Shoe Monsters

2007-04-25T15:37:00.000-04:00

Timberland Mistake

2007-04-25T15:25:00.000-04:00

I was doing spring cleaning in dirty Fila's closet and I tried to weed out shoe shoes that may have been too small. I bought her a pair of timberland boots the christmas before last. They were her pride and joy. Now this past winder she barelay wore them. I thought they were too small as she seems to be in btween shoe sizes suddenly. I put them in a box going to Good Will.

She asked me where her shoes where. Therein lies the rub. Those timerlands? I told her that the things that did not fit had already been given away. Can we say broken hearted child? Can we say distraught mother. That was her first pair of timberlands. She informed me that they still fit. It was just that she was wearing her other shoes this past winter. She had to have the high heeled Rocawear boots. Remember?

Well, I apologized for tossing them and told her I would buy her another pair just like or any other pair of Timberlands that she wanted. Well, she has already taken me up on the offer. We got her a pair of the new timberland, maryjane ballet shoes. She loves them. She decided to pass on another pair of boots.

Smile! You are on Wedding Camera

2007-04-25T14:34:00.001-04:00

When my brother got married, he and his wife did it themselves. It was pretty nice. One of the things they did do was have a lot of disposable wedding cameras at all the tables. Everyone at the table took turns taking pictures of things and people at the reception. They were to get them developed later. Well, some people thought that they were getting a free camera. Ghetto fab! Can we say that. No wedding manners, these people. My brother had to hunt some people down just to get the cameras back with the pictures.

I am not sure where he and my sister in law got their cameras, but they looked very similar to the cameras at shopforweddings.com. The cameras there are inexpensive and are in varying styles so that they can be coordinated to match the wedding theme. I recommend getting cameras and other wedding favors from them because they are cheap and many of them can be personalized for the groomsmen and the bridesmaids. Also available at this link are other items that can be used during the wedding service.

Have a look around. There is lots of variety and they even have a sale link. There is even jewelry that would be suitable for gifts as well for the wedding party. They even have a lot of the necessities for a fantastic reception. For the bride with a budget, this Internet wedding superstore can't be beat!

Worn Out Aerosoles

2007-04-25T14:34:00.000-04:00

My mother was in the garden today watering flowers when she suddenly buckled under on the right leg. It was her shoe. Those worn out, stretched out aerosoles that she loves but has had for a number of years. The right shoe turned sideways on her foot and she could not get it turned back.. she was about to fall down. I had to run catch her from falling.

It is the first time this has happened? Hell no! It has been happening for the past month and I have mentioned to her on several occasions that those shoes needed to go in the trash. They are tripping her up, of she is walking out of them. All sorts of not so normal shoe things. Today I demanded the sandals as I was going to throw them away. She would not give them to me. I told her to think about a broken hip as she is nearly 70. I told her that I was going to make those shoes disappear. What has she done today? She has never let them be in my site. I am going to find them and cut them up. She is going to get a new pair of reliable sandals that fit! Why is she being so stubborn? She has about 60 pairs of shoe herself.