Tit for Tat

Posted on April 30, 2012 by

Linda, http://www.retirementdaze.com/ says “stay strong” when it comes to downsizing.  Okay, here is my effort for today:  I went to the Mall and bought a new pair of walking shoes.  (Dianne, this doesn’t sound like you are clearing out anything).

I haven’t shopped for shoes in ages.  After I retired, I developed tender tendons which dried out from the meds I take. I underwent physical therapy for many months and gradually they improved. However, my tendons hurt so much in the meantime, I gave all my old “new” shoes to my daughter for her new job and gave most of my other shoes to Goodwill. In the meantime, I wore Birkenstocks clogs which don’t rub my Achilles tendons the wrong way, but aren’t the best shoe for walking around the block.   

Today, I decided to buy a pair of “real” walking shoes and get them broken in before I travel to California.  David drove me around for a while, searching for a good shoe store, but most of the stores I once used have disappeared, so we ended up at the Pentagon City Mall where I located the section with shoe stores. I entered a Lady Footlocker and I asked for “walking shoes,” but the sales gal told me they only sold shoes for running, “but you can walk in them too, she said helpfully.  “I don’t run,” I told her.   I have severe back problems, and fall down a lot so I don’t need something that will trip me up either. 

Gamely, I tried on several pairs of gosh-awful looking running shoes, then asked her if the store ever got any old ladies who wanted plain walking shoes. She said yes,  many older women customers came into the store, but the buyers always selected  the latest fashions (code for the shoes which appeal to younger people). 

“Sorry,” I told her, “the neon pink and blue just don’t do it for me.  I  need something more comfortable and conservative. Do you have plain grey? grey and white? plain white?”  She pointed to a pair of bright teal blue and yellow high top sneakers (do they still call them  sneakers?).  Apparently, the kids think teal blue and yellow are drab, because she thought they were conservative enough for me.  Somehow, I could not picture myself, a fat old crippled lady in bright blue and gold high top sneakers. Leaving the store, I told her I might be back for a solid black pair of Nikes, but if I didn’t return in one hour to put them away.

We tried a few more stores which all seemed to specialize in the most garish and ridiculous shoes (did I ever wear things like that??). David had to use the toilet, so we headed for Nordstom.  While he was busy, I wandered down to the shoe department on the first floor, where David found me about a half hour later.  There I found the perfect shoes, Mephisto brand just like those I once wore.  

Oh yes, when I got home, I tossed the old shoes which still had a “bit of wear” left in them.  Even the poor wouldn’t want those shoes…chewed by the dog and one innersole stained with grease where a piece of steak flew off my plate and landed inside my shoe which I had off at the time. 

My new shoes 

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This entry was posted in Elder Blogger, Fashion, Health/Medical Stuff, Retirement Living, Shopping. Bookmark the permalink.

12 Responses to Tit for Tat

  1. Tom Sightings says:
    May 2, 2012 at 15:51

    I too drive past the gym at least twice a week, and have resolved to make myself actually walk in the door a little more often. (I went Sat. and Tues. and will go again tomorrow.) I’m beginning to think the only way to do it is to SCHEDULE the gym time. So far, in my semi-retirement, I’ve been avoiding making scehdules, because I had a schedule for 40 years — but I’m afraid that’s the only way to get anything done.

    Reply
  2. joared says:
    May 2, 2012 at 07:47

    Shoes look comfortable. I frequent our SAS store. Lots of styles including comfy slipons, walking, running, etc. with good support and can get new support liners as needed. Am considering checking out another new store (to me) called Foot Solutions.

    Reply
  3. Kay's Musings says:
    May 2, 2012 at 02:45

    Every nice, Dianne. Those look like very comfortable shoes.

    Reply
  4. LC says:
    May 1, 2012 at 12:13

    Dianne, thanks for the mention and for the comments your posts always draw. Gigi’s comment alerted me that I have to allow for the airport shoe thing on an upcoming solo trip. I can retie my new athletic shoes with one hand, but it is slow and requires total concentration. And it takes longer if I become flustered. Got to think on that!

    Reply
  5. LC says:
    May 1, 2012 at 12:08

    Bravo! I just bought a pair of New Balance, all white. I didn’t have your bold spirit, though. I called ahead, explained my situation and asked if they had any narrow widths in my size. The young woman had two pair, different brands waiting when we arrived, and she graciously helped my hubby and me personally. Who knew such service existed today!

    Enjoy your comfy new footwear!

    And Gigi, I used to wear sandals everywhere, even climbing around on boulders when traveling. Now it has to be shoes with support

    Reply
  6. Aspergers Girls says:
    April 30, 2012 at 23:21

    Hello to you New Shoes. Treat your master well. You are just as pretty as those high-fashion flashy ones. :)

    Reply
  7. gigihawaii says:
    April 30, 2012 at 22:28

    I sometimes have a hard time walking in my jogging shoes, because my big toenails point upwards and rub against the fabric. So, I prefer to wear my open toe sandals. They are the SAS brand and I purchased them at Macy’s. I love them so much I bought 2 pairs, which I use on trips. When one pair gets wet in the rain, I switch to the other pair. Easier to remove at the airport than jogging shoes.

    Reply
  8. Al says:
    April 30, 2012 at 21:21

    Nice shoes, Dianne. But now you have to “walk the walk”.

    Reply

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