My Aching Feet

I have always loved shoes.  Always.  They say shoes are popular with many women because you don't have to enter a dressing room to try them on.  And that usually you wear the same size for years.  And that really you can not be discriminated against by the size of your shoes.

You know what I mean.

For years I wore an 8.5.  As long as it was 8.5 I could wear any heel height, any toe shape, and style, any color, any anything.  And I did.  I had shoes from Payless to Macys to Goudchaux's.   Hey - that was all before the internet shopping days.

Last year I turned the big 50.  I didn't feel older anywhere in my body except for my feet.  It's crazy.  Suddenly my foot is wider.  What is up with that?  Also, I can no longer fit into an 8.5.  I must have a 9.5W.  Yes, WIDE!  Shoes of that size suffer in availability and the all important stylishness.

Thanks go online shopping the search has become a little bit easier.  But because my feet ache most of the time I find it hard to buy a brand with no track record.   I need to try them on first.  Take a test walk.  Have one of my teenage girls give me her opinion as to the matron-ness of the style.  We don't do matronly.

Is there a secret to buying shoes online?

Dots and Spots

Ironman hit his head.  He refused to go for medical care.  So a bandaid will have to do.  (we did get the bleeding to stop)

I.T. girl got a migraine during the school day.  She managed to stay and finish the day.  She said, "I couldn't see out of my left eye"  That is the worst part of a migraine - the aura, the blind spots, the nausea.  It's almost a relief when those symptoms disappear and the vice grips your head.  I said ALMOST because migraine pain affects you from your head to your toes.

I took Dancer Girl to the dermatologist.  We have been going once a month since May.  Hold on to your hats if you are queasy.  She had warts.  Yes, warts.  I guess she had been playing with frogs.  She started with a dozen spread out on both hands.  Today it is down to 3.  The doctor told us he was sure they'd be gone within the next 5 weeks.  So we did not schedule another follow up appointment.  I put the date 5 weeks from now in my smart phone.  On that day we will look at her fingers and decide if they need to be subjected to continued treatment.  

Speaking of Dancer Girl, at her last orthodontist appointment, Dr C. was not happy at all with her gums.  He said they were irritated, swollen and her teeth were in danger of being affected by her poor brushing skills.  I wondered secretly if she was a caveman.  In fact, when we got in the car I asked her just that.  ARE YOU A CAVEMAN?   She has an appointment with the hygenist tomorrow after school.   Her next ortho appointment is in November and I'm going to be sure her teeth and gums will be healthy.

That leaves The Engineer - he is working on a Senior Design Project.  And (drum roll) he got a job offer from Halliburton!!  He told us that he is not interested in working in the oil and gas industry.  Hey, it's a J.O.B.!  Does the boy know there are few jobs in this economy?    He doesn't have to decide right now.  He doesn't graduate until May.  But it sure was exciting when he told me about the phone call.

Then here I am.  Sitting in front of the computer.  Listening to the presidential debate.  
The kitchen is clean.
The dog is fed and happy and fat
The laundry is finished for now.
The rug in the keeping room needs vacuuming.

So is life.

:)

I"ve asked before but I'm asking again....

Are you a listener or a "teller".

I am definitely a listener.  Maybe I should not say I'm a listener.  I should probably say I'm a quiet sitter.  I sit and enable you to talk on and on and on about yourself.
And your family.

And your dinner plans.  

And your pets.

I sit and pretend to listen.  Of course I can't help BUT listen since you are talking right at my face.

The few times I've mentioned something about myself I'm interrupted and immediately regret even trying to join the conversation.

It's torture to me.  I am bored.  And frustrated.  And, in a way, I feel used.

I run thoughts through my head before I say them aloud.  Usually that prevents me from blurting out some boring comment.  My comments, although unsaid, are just as boring or provocative as yours.  I just decide in the privacy of my thoughts to keep them inside.  I don't have the energy to compete.

Gosh I wish you would SHUT YOUR MOUTH!  I wish you would show the same courtesy toward me as I force myself to show you.

I have one colleague that would score a big fat ZERO if given a questionnaire about me.  Well, she might get 1 point for knowing my name.  But other than that she knows nothing about me.  She is too busy discussing her life.  And I listen.  Like always.

What can I do?

I can walk away.  Done that.
I can pretend to be distracted.  Done that, too.
I can just not open the door and invite a conversation.  Yep.  Done that.

I'm tired.

I miss having a back and forth conversation.

I miss having a best friend.

I miss having things in common with  another adult whom I'm not related to.

I miss being included.

I miss being noticed and considered.

I will find my place one day soon.  For now I will bloom where I'm planted.

Hugs and Kisses for today.

Things that bug me

It's Saturday morning and the house is quiet.  Finally.  Still, I'm a little cranky for some reason.

Here are a few things that are bugging me.  

My rash is back.  Yes, the doctor told me it probably will return and so he put a few refills on my medicine.  Well, unfortunately he was correct.  Nothing like chronic itching to make you cranky.

One of my brothers in law has not followed through on his end of the bargain.  It's a long complicated story, but basically he needs to make a few phone calls, pay one or two debts (which total less than $250) and the deal will be complete.  It's not the money that is involved, it's the fact that his lack of motivation is causing so much stress in the family.  And in my opinion, it's needless stress.  Why let it happen? He told Ironman that there are taxes to pay.  Ironman called and found out the taxes due are $200.  And that will be split 5 ways!  I mean, come on............... crazy stuff.

Work is frustrating.  I know it happens every October.  In October we all hit the wall.  We are tired.  The teachers are tired, the children are tired.  It's not stop go go go from Labor Day until Thanksgiving.
Many days I feel under utilized.  This is my 19th year to be a primary teacher.  But it's only my 2nd year at this school.  I"m ready for more responsibility.   I offered yesterday to do more and my offer was  - let's just say - not embraced.  It wasn't exactly shot down.  Just more like "let's just wait"  Well, how long do you want to wait to take down the summer decor and replace with some fall mums and pumpkins?  Crazy stuff.

8th grade science fair.  Oh how the word science fair sends a shiver up my spine.  We have until Friday to submit our topic.  Dancer Girl told her science teacher she had an idea to experiment which brand of potato chip had the most oil.  Science teacher's response?  "Alison!  You are in the 8th grade.  Choose something harder"  So she said, "I can measure the vividness of sunset and compare to the humidity present"  (My middle daughter won district with that project when she was in the 8th grade)  Science teacher's response, "Uh................ that sounds a little confusing and uninteresting and you have one more week.  You'll come up with something"  Ugh.

Laundry.  It never ends.

Dust.  Where does it come from?

Soap Scum.  How in the WORLD do you get if off shower doors?  I bought another product the other day.  Going to try it today with a Magic Eraser.  Maybe sand paper would work.  :)

People who do not email me back. 

 What is up with you?  That is RUDE.

I'll feel better when I clean the kitchen, knock out a few loads of laundry, have another cup of coffee.  Load photos onto this blog.  Take a nap.

Hugs and Kisses