Squish
Shoes have been a bit of a problem lately. My feet have swelled so that hardly any of my shoes fit. Over the summer I was okay just wearing sandals — they were adjustable so they fit no matter how hot the weather and balloony the feet. But now that it’s getting cooler out, and my old shoes still don’t fit, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do without spending a fortune. They say my feet might go back to their original size after delivery. But also, they say, they might not. So I’ve been on a hunt for comfortable shoes that can grow or shrink with me. I got a new pair of Birkenstocks, since the sandals are getting quite worn out after all the wear they’ve had this summer (and for the past oh-so-many years). They’re good but they still need some breaking in, can’t wear them every day. I tried ordering some nifty J-41 climbing shoes, but I messed up and ordered the wrong size. Luckily they were very easy to return (yay Zappos!). I might order them again after I know what size my feet are going to be.
Here’s the excellent part: last week I went to Goodwill, thinking of checking out their maternity selection. It turned out to be extremely tiny and sad. I ended up getting a bunch of neckties — don’t know why I can’t resist those — and a pair of shoes! Docs even! I’d been wanting a pair of Docs! They’re neat. They’re kind of like these, but they have three buckles. And they’re in good shape, and they’re a little too big, which is quite refreshing after trying to cope with all those too-small ones in my closet. And they were $4.00! Woo hoo!
First time I wore them, with thin socks, I got a blister and noticed that the soles aren’t exactly cushy. Since then I’ve been wearing them with thicker socks, and planning to get some insoles or pads of some kind. Finally made it to a drugstore today and picked out a couple different kinds of insoles. I’ve got a pair on now! They’re clear and soft and rubbery, and pretty comfy, or at least they were at first. By the time I’d walked around in them for half an hour, they’d migrated around so much that now it feels like I’ve got scrambled squids in my shoes. It reminds me of the Steve Martin bit from “Let’s Get Small:”
You know, a lot of people come to me and they say, “Steve, how can you be so fucking funny?” and I tell them, “first you got to feel funny, so before I go on stage, I put bologna in my shoes – so I feel funny.
…it’s funnier when he says it.
October 13th, 2006 at 8:43 am
i think it’s still pretty funny when you say it.
Congratulations on your goodwill score. I heart goodwill. What size are you wearing now? You know that I am an absolute shoe whore, and have bigger feet than you, generally. I am also going to see you a week from Sunday, and am planning on going to vvillage this weekend, so…..
try some sticky tape all under the pads. Unfortunately, they are probably reacting to being too big, and with your feet sliding back and forth in their newly found spacious environment you, my dear, have a problematic situation. K always gets reeeallly snarky when her socks fall down, i would imagine that squids aren’t much better for your mood.
October 13th, 2006 at 10:42 am
I’m trying the other pair out today and so far they’re staying put, but there’s not much cush going on near the front, so I may try some full-size ones next.
…I have no idea what my shoe size is now. A few weeks ago I was in a large department store — one well-known for its shoe department — to try on some dress shoes for a wedding, since none of my dress shoes fit anymore. When I was asked my shoe size, I said I didn’t know, and so I was measured. The measurement came out at seven and a half. Which is quite silly, and I said so, and I also said I couldn’t fit into an eight. But what did she bring? A bunch of seven and a halfs, and a few eights. Couldn’t get any of them on. Good grief!
So, I dunno, maybe a nine? If you have shoes you’re not wearing, bring ’em on! Yay!
October 13th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
ALWAYS get the full foot cushions. take it from me and my reedickuluss platform wearing feet. the bigger and squishier the better. i will see what i can do in the actual shoe dept.
October 13th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
[Now she tells me!]
Okay YAY for shoeses!