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| Wow. These photographed way better than they actually look |
As in, he expects to walk into any shoe store and see THE EXACT SAME SHOE HE HAS BEEN WEARING FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS sitting there, waiting for him. In his size. So that he can merely stride purposefully over to it, procure it, and take it to the cashier, where he will pay pretty much what he paid for it the first time he bought it.
The. End.
I have no idea where this Fantasy originated. This has never, ever been his experience that I know of. As a matter of fact, I have accompanied him on his shoe shopping quests since before we were married, lo these past 45 years. His shoe shopping habits are so frustrating for the both of us that I often buy him shoes for gift-giving occasions.
Rick's requirements for The Perfect Tennis Shoe are: absolutely all white; no ostentatious logo; no cloth; if there are ventilation holes, they must not be too numerous; the sole cannot be too clunky or chunky; no Nikes (they do not accommodate his very high arch); he prefers K-Swiss, but they no longer make the ones he used to wear; no high-tops.
The last time I bought him The Perfect K-Swiss Shoes, I bought two pairs. It was, I must say, A Genius Move. Except for the fact that he got far too attached, obviously, and now here we are.
We went to four stores. I did not look at a single pair for myself (it must be said). I was Gentle, Kind, Patient, and Helpful. I did not roll my eyes one single time, even when he couldn't see me. I did not make any menacing movements behind his back or stick my tongue out at him when his head was turned. I didn't even show him really ugly shoes while pretending I thought they were nice. I was, in a word, Perfect.
Here are the shoes Rick finally chose. There was a lot of concern about that flashy air cushion thingy that's visible mid-sole. It is not optimal, and was--briefly--a sticking point. I sort of wandered away and let him decide while I did some deep breathing and thought about Theo being a cow for Halloween.
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| You can order this shoe here rather than wander all over two counties. |
Only when I saw him give the cashier his credit card did I walk up to the counter and witness the end of our quest. "Yay!" I said, smiling and cheery. "That's accomplished! How do you feel about it?"
"I'm just glad that's done and off my list," he said.
The Big Question now is when will he wear them? There is always a Transitional Phase wherein the new shoes are slowly phased in, worn only for certain things, and the old shoes continue to be the main shoes. Eventually, the new shoes are pressed into more service, and the old shoes are relegated to lawn mowing, basement work, or get taken to the lake for jobs around there. This could take months (and all of my Patience). It reminds me of this story about his wallet.
My sons are more like me when it comes to shoes. Sam is a sneakerhead; his collection of sneakers is vast and eclectic. Jared loves shoes, the more unusual the better; the shoes he chose for his wedding were fantastic (so were Sam's). I want very much to believe that this sort of thing is not exclusive to my husband. Tell me in Comments if any of the Men In Your Life have a Shopping/Fashion Quirk. Failing that, you can pat me on the back for my Patience.
Here's the pat on your back for your patience! After 30+ years of marriage my patience with my husband's quirks over things like this (and he has MANY quirks) has run dry.
ReplyDeleteGigi--Much appreciated. Isn't it odd how bothersome some of those idiosyncrasies have become now? I'm sure a few were endearing early on, and many were lost in the shuffle of raising children and establishing a career. Now that we're older and the pace of life has slowed down (and we are less willing to put up with things), those habits are downright grating.
DeleteEspecially to Perfect People like us, right?
You do deserve sainthood for you patience and acceptance of your husband's shoe shopping habits. I don't recall ever going shopping for shoes with my husband except once out west when he bought some cowboy boots which he practically lived in for a lot of years, had them resoled even, a couple of times. He wore tennis shoes, too, but was a pretty independent shopper for most things.
ReplyDeleteJean--Thank you.
DeleteOh, gosh, I remember going with my dad to what we called the shoemaker's shop when I was little. We got lots of shoes repaired there. He could resole, repair, level heels, etc. Remarkable. I suppose there's nothing like that around anymore. Another lost art.
Beyond relatable. Coach has very specific requirements for his workplace shoes. He's on his feet treating patients, so comfort is important. I'm incredibly grateful that 'his' pair has continued to be available online with only minor changes. Cole Haan, I believe. Looks like a loafer that ties, never EVER a slip on with a tassel and never shiny, heaven forbid, but feels like a sneaker. He's less picky about running shoes, but omg I could so see your situation play out in the store. You had me howling with laughter. Coach's old work shoes always linger for months and months. One never knows when the old pair might come in . . . handy? Oh - and, Tank wears a size 15 men's shoes. I have PTSD from trying to find him a pair of shoes (one foot is really more of a 14) that work. It's always online, HOURS of online shopping, and it always involves a million returns. Theo in his cow costume - the perfect diversion.
ReplyDeleteErnie--You really get me. Looks like a loafer, but has to tie. Feels like a sneaker, but cannot be one. No tassels. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT BEING SHINY, EVEN A LITTLE BIT. Can the sole be white, or must it always be the same colour as the shoe?
DeleteI don't think Rick has ever thrown out a pair of shoes. I always do it when I just cannot take it anymore. He still has one pair of canvas Converse All Star hi-tops that may or may not be as old as our marriage. They reside in a closet at the lakehouse, and I am playing a little game with myself--How Long Can I Live With Those Damn Shoes?--just to see if I am a martyr or a saint.
I cannot even fathom a size 15 shoe and how one goes about finding a pair that fits properly. Bless you for navigating that labyrinth. I'm sure Tank appreciates it. Perhaps you could use his old shoes as playpens for your daycare toddlers. LOL
Theo is huge--bigger than his dad was at 15 months, and he's not yet a year old. He may be wearing size 15 shoes when he's Tank's age, too.
Using Tank's shoes as a playpen - hilarious. Tank def does appreciate me. I'm always urging him, if you like both pairs KEEP THEM. Don't fuss so much about which one to keep. Sweet Lord, your shoes will last longer if you split the time between them. We cater to the big foot, by the way. Theo is a big 'un. I always love it when a tot is solid. They seem sturdy and less likely to break. I have a 14 month old in the daycare that is maybe 15 lbs. No exaggeration. She's a feather. Tank was over 10 lbs at birth, so I keep looking at her thinking my newborn was practically your size at birth (slight exaggeration)!
DeleteErnie--Dear heaven, over 10 lbs. at birth. Talk about solid! And yes, I do love a sturdy baby. Both my boys were just over 8 lbs. at birth and were good gainers. Now they're over 6 feet and tease me constantly about how little I am. But their feet are small compared to your guys and their big shoes!
DeleteYes. JG would buy the same, exact shoes over and over. He does have an excuse; his artificial leg requires an exact lift at the heel. Even so, to be honest, I let him go by himself to shoe stores. He is not a patient man, not with the stock, not with the clerks, not with anything else handy when the shoes he expects to find have been discontinued and he has to figure out what other shoe will work.
ReplyDeleteI buy what I need, not paying much attention except to how much toe room there is. But my elder daughter and her daughter are a riot. Ed likes high topped runners, one particular brand, and has many pairs of them so that she can match her clothes. One year the grandkid got a pair and painted cartoon fish all over them (ED is a fish physiologist) in many colours and with different expressions on each fish. They were a work of art for sure. The ED's earrings will also match her clothing. The other daughter is obsessive about what her house looks like and lives in jeans and a sweater and scarf.
Just in passing, I have NEWS. JG has hired a finish carpenter and the house I have inhabited for almost thirty years is going to get door frames and window frames and trim at the floor joints. Just when you think you know something or someone, you are jolted into realizing that you don't. But, I still will not go near a shoe store with him.
Mary G--If I don't go along, Rick will simply quit looking after the first store and come home, resigned to wearing his old shoes to literal shreds. I refuse to have that and to listen to him complain about needing new shoes.
DeleteWhen it comes to my walking shoes, I don't really care about the colour. I care about fit and comfort. My last pair was bright red, which I loved. My new pair is black. It sounds like you have a daughter who is a bit of a sneakerhead like my son. Sam recently had a pair customized by an artist, but not nearly as fun as with cartoon fish. That pair sounds delightful. Your granddaughter might offer to do that for a bit of cash. She'd probably have more than a few takers.
Great news about your woodwork! I love that for you. You win the Patience Award, my dear, hands down!
Cow costume? Yes. I can just see it. And you.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see a photo! I'll pass it on to you, dear friend.
DeleteOh, many pats on the back! Wow, that would push all my buttons. My mother's issue is that, after years volunteering at a thrift shop, she finds it appalling to consider paying more than $3 for just about anything. She needs new slippers, and just keeps trying different thrift shops to find them. Someone told her that she could just go to Walmart and get a pair for only $20, and she was horrified! Better to be without than spend that kind of money.
ReplyDeleteccr--Thank you.
DeleteWow, that's got to be exasperating. And I bet that even if you say, "Mom, you're worth a new (insert whatever it is)", she still resists. I don't know how you counter that without straight up lying about the price of stuff, especially when she still goes to stores by herself and can see it with her own eyes. My sympathies.
Hah! That is funny, and I wonder why he doesn't just buy them online?!? I used to work in the shoe department at Nordstrom and our most popular active shoe was the New Balance 800, which was leather and looked like a nursing or old lady/man shoe and came in three colors: solid white, solid black and solid....NUDE (or taupe? whatever). I just did a Google search and it appears that they have moved on from that style number and are now into the mid 800 range, but also it is hard to find ones without a logo. However, I did find one that looks eerily similar, that maybe Rick could try -- here it is: New Balance MW577
ReplyDeleteOh, Kyria. Dear, dear Kyria. First of all, thank you so much for your efforts. That went above and beyond, my friend. I appreciate you so much.
DeleteHOWEVER.
1. Buying a shoe online is fraught--FRAUGHT--with fail. What if they don't fit and he cannot just go ahead and try the next size up or down RIGHT THEN AND THERE? And who wants to bother with all that inconvenience in returns? It's a LOT OF WORK and TOO MUCH BULLSHIT.
2. Those are New Balance shoes. Years ago, that brand was declared The Official Shoes Of White People by the Neo-Nazis.
3. Besides the above, look at that gaudy and ostentatiously noticeable logo on the side of the shoe. It's way too much.
4. Zappos is out of size 10.5, which is what he wears (this is a picky technicality since he could get them at another outlet, but do see 1-3).
Sigh. I hope this gives you a clearer idea of What I Am Working With.
Hahah! I feel your pain, as I had to SELL shoes to people like him!! I am a quick shopper; I am in and out in a flash, so I never understood people who lingered over buying things!! Good luck Nance; you are a trooper.
DeleteAnd here is the final stroke of Irony--Rick used to sell shoes! It's all so ridiculous, isn't it?
DeleteYou certainly get a pat on the back, Nance. But you deserve so much more! The cheeriness! The restraint! The bonhomie!
ReplyDeleteI'm also charmed by Rick's very specific standards and the way this translates to such ethical and sustainable consumption.
Theo + Cow = Nance Zen
Deletemaya--Thank you. I honed the skills over many years that also included shopping for his blue jeans, a scenario that is frighteningly similar.
DeleteRick wears things to death, and since we bought the lakehouse ten years ago, he uses it as an excuse to further extend the lives of stained, holey, frayed, and awful things. "I'll wear it when I work on the boat/clean out the shed/do the yardwork/mow at the lake" is his new delight. He does, but I'm tired of him always looking like a ragamuffin when we're there.
We just got a few photos of Theo with his pumpkins. He was gnawing on string cheese and looking bewildered. LOL.
A quizzical Theo with pumpkins might save me on Election Day.
DeleteI fear that I may have a little bit of Rick in me when it comes to shoes (and wallets). My needs are pretty specific, though not as specific as his. My DREAM is to be able to just go buy another pair of shoes for the same price, 10 years apart. One thing I have learned, though, is that one year's Nike is not the next year's Nike, and thus I cannot buy walking shoes online. I have high arches and arthritis and need a LOT of support and cushion, which has made me a real pleasure to shop with. Like you, however, I do not really care what they look like. I'm out there walking in the morning, who cares what my feet look like? Also, I tend to keep my shoes and slippers (and jeans) for gardening and so on. I'm glad I do, I had a pair of slippers suddenly go bad on me (like, one minute they were fine, the next they were horrible*) and I found a pair of perfectly good slippers in my closet, where I had kept them when I got a new pair, 'just in case'. I know. I am not a hoarder, but I understand the tendencies.
ReplyDelete*Of course they did not suddenly go bad on me. I should have replaced them months earlier, maybe a year. The fact that I threw them away instead of keeping them for 'just in case' should tell you something.
I LOL'd about you going off to think of Theo in a Cow Costume to calm down. I would love to see a picture!
J--I am very, very specific about purses. I used to be a nightmare when it came to finding one. Now, I am so sick of having to carry one that I refuse to ever buy one again until the ones I have completely fall apart. And then, I'll go on the hunt alone.
DeleteHooray for surprise footwear showing up in the closet! If only they had been new ones that you had wisely bought as a second pair, being so enamored with the originals. But I hope you go get some new ones since these obviously have a limited life.
I don't have high arches like you and Rick, but I do have arthritis in my feet (and hands). Is it from years and years and years of wearing high heels on terrazzo floors for 8 hours a day? I don't know; my grandmother had terrible arthritis in her hands and feet, and I may have inherited it. Like you, I should have replaced my walking shoes months ago, but merely added inserts for a time. Then it was just too painful and I got new shoes. Funny--I immediately felt completely better. Lesson learned, and my red shoes went in the trash.
I haven't gotten a photo yet of Theo in his cow costume, just a few photos of him next to his pumpkin, chewing on string cheese and looking completely unimpressed. As soon as I get some, I'll send one off to you. He's so big!
Oh boy. I am like your husband. I find what I like and look vainly for them when Favorite Pair wears out, because women's shoemaker are even more fickle than men's. So I go on ebay and search for like new or new old stock to replace. My husband, on the other hand, leaves all clothes and shoe shopping up to me. Ugh. I hate it. At least some of his shoes are free through the VA
ReplyDeleteG Sue--What a lot of work to resist change. I understand to a certain extent, though. You're absolutely right that women's shoes go through a lot more design differences than men's do. It's a rarity to find the same shoe from one season to the next, let alone one year to the next, even just an athletic shoe.
DeleteI am like Rick. For the last three years, I have noted that my winter shoe selection is dire. And yet today I am wearing shoes that are falling apart at the seams because what I truly want is another pair EXACTLY LIKE THESE. And I can buy some if I am willing to pony up $500 on eBay. I am not. I am STILL SALTY that Dankso discontinued the Veda, a PERFECT SHOE. I have currently purchased and returned more than ten pairs of cross trainers in my pursuit for a new workout shoe. Shoe shopping is TERRIBLE. Solidarity with Rick.
ReplyDeleteEngie--I'm sure Rick appreciates the support and will gloat accordingly.
DeleteWhen I was working, I loved getting new shoes. I bought a LOT of shoes merely by walking into a shoe store and trying on whatever caught my eye. If I was willing to pay what they asked, I bought them. I saw shoe shopping as a treat. Great shoes were a huge part of my persona. I wrote about why Shoes became such a big deal to me here.
Your vision of shoes is perhaps different. Are you fiercely brand-loyal because of their mission or because you know their fit is always perfect? I'm sorry that you can't get the shoes that you want.
I can't even imagine returning more than ten pairs of shoes! At that point I'd risk going to a store in person and telling myself I wasn't walking out without a pair of shoes, period.
It's not that I'm brand loyal - it's just I have very specific shoe needs (problem feet!) and I am very picky about how shoes look. That combo is very difficult, so when I find a shoe that works in function and aesthetics, I am LOATHE to change.
DeleteAlso, I'm almost always looking for a specific shoe. So the cross trainer search has to a) be a cross trainer and not a running shoe, b) not irritate/rub against a scar on my left foot from a long-ago surgery, c) have a wide enough toe box, and d) have enough arch support or allow me to add an insert. I don't care if it's ugly. I don't care if it's bright green with orange laces. I just want it to be functional. And I haven't been able to find one. I have been to every sporting goods store in a 50-mile radius and this is my second Zappos order. Yes, I'm picky and I get that. But I'm picky for a reason.
I do take my shoes to get repaired with some frequency. I have a pair of shoes that has been repaired about a dozen times over the last ten years. The cobbler literally knows me when I walk in the door. I'll do a lot to keep a shoe going if it works for me.
I don't even know where I'd take shoes around here to be repaired. That's sad.
DeleteHonestly, I have no idea what cross trainers do that's different than runners. I'll look it up and educate myself, out of curiosity since I do neither. My specific needs are basically support and cushion when it comes to a walking shoe. I don't do any cross-training, my arches aren't an issue, and as long as it fits well, my arthritis isn't a problem. I'm grateful for my basic feet.
Good luck in your ongoing search. Once you find The Perfect Shoe, buy two pairs (at least!) if you can. That seems to be the strategy that works for most people here.
When I worked at Nordstrom, you could bring shoes in to us to get repaired! I still have some boots with leather soles that I have repaired, although right now they are in a box at my parents house.
DeleteKyria, will Nordstrom repair shoes that were bought elsewhere? That's terrific!
DeleteRunning shoes are basically for forward motion. Let's say you try to go side to side in a running shoe - it will likely slide right out from under you. I need a cross trainer because I do a fair amount of cardio that is NOT running - aerobics, even weight lifting sometimes has you do side to side motion. I think I've given up on cross trainers and have moved to court shoes, which are similar in many ways - basketball, tennis, pickleball shoes also are designed for movement in all directions. That's the difference! A lot of stores only carry running shoes and maybe a court shoe or two.
DeleteEngie--Thanks for that explanation; it was so clear. I understand completely now. I hope you find what you need in the court shoe department. Good luck!
DeleteOh, Nance, I lived that same scenario! Finally, I simply started ordering multiple pairs of white classic Reeboks online and stashing them. The price kept going up but it was fine. Anything to avoid the shopping angst (in person or online) with returns. A very long, very drawn-out process for sure.
ReplyDeleteI do sympathize with shoe selections/purchases not being easy though. With very specific personal preferences and plantar fascitis issues, I have to be very careful about what I purchase. What initially seems fine can go very badly. (Remember that one time, you were with me and V and we ended up stopping in a shoe shop and I bought new, "good" shoes? Those didn't work either. My Mom got them and wore them happily for many years.)
Theo in a cow costume? I must see that! I need a good pick-me-up right now. (Will explain in an email.) As part of a trade, I'll go ahead and send you a picture of Dozer dressed up as Santa Paws for his daycare Halloween party yesterday. The theme, which is never revealed beforehand, was The Wizard of Oz so the picture is puzzling for anyone not knowing what they're seeing. Haha.
Shirley--Oh, I *do* remember that bit of shopping with you and V! Sigh. So long ago!
DeleteI think it's smart to get more than one pair if they truly work for you. And Rick had a bout of plantar fasciitis once that was really terrible (as you can attest).
The picture of Dozer is wonderful. He looks so amiable and chipper. And what a hoot that the daycare has a theme for Halloween! I'll send you a photo of Theo soon. He looked adorable, and you can even see his two little teeth.
Theo is incredibly adorable!!
DeleteI don't wish anyone even one bout of plantar fasciitis but I'm glad Rick no longer suffers from it. Oh, how I would love that. I can go very long periods without it and then boom, it's back. So disheartening. I've watched all the sure-cure YouTube videos and done to the exercises to no avail. (And ugh that I misspelled fasciitis! I know how to spell it. Whenever I try to comment quickly so I don't write a book, it gets me in trouble!)
Thanks so much regarding Dozer. His nickname at daycare is Mr. Handsome! The manager told me a few days before the party that he would make a great Sherlock Holmes, that I just needed the hat. I agreed with her and lamented that I didn't have the hat! I did have the Santa hat though and the other necessary accessories. It was fun to get it all together for him! Surprisingly, very few of the pups were dressed up this year. Even for those that come without costumes though, they rotate the simple costumes around and get photos of all the pups.
Oh, absolutely! Dozer would make a perfect Sherlock Holmes. Time to find that hat and a magnifying glass to just hang around his neck for next year. I can just picture it. Mr. Handsome, indeed.
DeleteI love that your daycare is so kind and accommodating to provide costumes and photos for the pups who come without their own. You've got a great place for Dozer.
Laughed all the way through this post, especially the part about remaining silent and not showing your true emotions: I have all those exact same thoughts, lol.
ReplyDeleteLuis is actually not picky about sneakers: he’ll buy the cheapest ones in his size every time. I’m the picky one for sneakers. I recently had to replace my worn out ones and was appalled at this new trend with the white border 99% of them have these days (regardless of the shoe color). That said, I have bought all my sneakers as well as other shoes for years on Amazon. They’re at least $20 cheaper for the brands I like, and they usually have my size (5.5), which shoe stores rarely, if ever, have.
All of that said, Mr. O. is very picky about nearly every other item of clothing, especially casual shirts: neckline is too high or too low, it’s too tight, too loose, too scratchy, waistline is too long, too short, wrong colour (he’s practically colour blind, lol, and often can’t tell blue from green) and… most of all: too expensive. I’m with him on that last one. But, like you, I just turn around/bite my tongue, and patiently wait for him to find what he likes. Later, I revisit the store and buy 2 more shirts like the one he picked out and he gets them later on as a present.
Ortizzle--You and your teeny little baby feet! I'll bet the stores only stock one pair in your size. I'm glad you can buy without trying them on. I usually can, too, but I still prefer going and doing so anyway.
DeleteI'm laughing about Mr. O's specifications for his shirts. That is Rick all over the place about pants. And you're smart to buy more of whatever he deems acceptable. Heaven only knows when he'll put his Stamp Of Approval on something again!
You're right about stores only stocking one pair in my size. And 99% of the time, it's the display shoe. Years ago, I could not imagine buying shoes (or even most other clothing) online. And then I discovered that if my favorite style was discontinued, I could just go the shoe store and try on the new fashion trends, find one I liked, try it on, and then go order it on Amazon for much less. Win-win.
DeleteThis is a pat on the back for your patience. My husband buys his clothes and shoes online now, so no traipsing around. My contribution is making sure he doesn't always buy navy blue in everything.
ReplyDeleteAlly--Thank you.
DeleteOh, the colour thing! Rick would only wear grey or brown if I didn't intervene. And he likes to wear the same colour all over, as in grey pants and a grey shirt, or brown shorts and a brown shirt. What is that even about?
Please tell me that your husband at least knows not to dress in monochrome all the time.
Honestly, this anecdote is both hilariously and eerily relatable, including the deep breathing. My wife is way less patient than you; I can't blame her. Every time I require new shoes, I am so irritated by the fact that my old shoes lasted 1-2 years instead of a decade. The only things that lifts my spirits during shoe-shopping is when my wife suggests I buy two pairs, one for our son; we have exactly the same feet. I love this fact and it helps me cope with the drudgery of shopping...but there is no way on earth I would go to more than two stores, max. Exhausting.
ReplyDeleteDB--Oh, I get the angst about the transitory nature of shoes. That's certainly a big part of Rick's problem, too. I'm certain he feels the same way you do: why is he ALREADY shopping for shoes again? He just did this FOUR YEARS AGO!
DeleteYour wife is a smart, smart woman. Get those shoes for the son and spare herself yet another slog of male shoe shopping.
Oh man I would be beyond exasperated - ha! Dr. M & I do not have the patience to shop with one another - unless we're outlet shopping together. We take care of our own selves. He needs new shoes, but has been waiting for his Medicare to be active (as of yesterday - woo hoo!) so he can get "diabetic" shoes at the fancy shoe place (where I recently dropped almost TWO HUNDRED dollars for admittedly the best walking shoes I've ever bought. In my NON defense I didn't ask the price & was so stunned when she rang the shoes up that I just paid it). I also keep all my old sneakers for "mowing" and non-specified emergencies. I had two pair riding around in the back of my car for Many Years.
ReplyDeleteAll that being said, you are a saint. Truly. And I would love to see Theo, but I don't have anything to trade.
Bug--I fully understand The Professor's reasoning here. Let Medicare pick up the tab for medically necessary shoes. If only they could have paid--even partially!--for yours. That's some big bucks for shoes. Yikes.
DeleteI hesitated a brief moment before tossing my old red walking shoes, but truly, they made my feet so miserable that I never wanted to put myself through any of that again. I'm befuddled by your Passenger Shoes. I don't think I ever had spare shoes in my car, ever.
Thank you for the beatification. I wouldn't go that far (although it would sure be awesome), but I do appreciate it. And there's no quid pro quo for Theo pix. You know how grandparents are. LOL
My passenger shoes are for if I forget to pack my walking gear & decide to go mall walking with my cousin. HOWEVER, the last time I wore them they hurt my feet AND the soles were so slippery that I was a menace to all those around me. Those shoes got tossed. I also had a pair to wear if I was at my dad's working a puzzle (which is a standing activity in his house) - I often stop by after work & don't want to stand around in heels. But that pair got tossed too because who has time to keep switching shoes around?
DeleteTheo is ADORABLE. Mwah!
Bug--The mall that I go to for actual shopping has the worst floors. No matter what shoes I wear, it feels like my foot slips backward a bit with each step. After I shop there, my legs and back ache for the rest of the day. Rick feels the same way. I wonder why the planners/designers didn't use better/different materials?
DeleteThanks for the kind words about Theo. We think so, too. Cutest cow around.
I'm laughing at him, and also patting you on the shoulder as you win The Best Wife trophy for this week. Who knew you had all the patience? Who knew you could go around and not make EYES at the whole thing?
ReplyDeleteWhy do some people resist change? Resist new? Resist color? Sweet, sweet Rick and his white tennis shoes.
I never enjoy pants/jeans shopping with my husband, so it's best if I don't go shopping with him, because I DO make the face, the EYES. When he does find a pair he likes, he buys six pairs and they will last for several years.
BB Suz--Oh, thank you. I'll put that trophy next to all the others. 😉
DeleteI've been working on my Patience for most of my adult life. Every once in a while, the effort shows. Rick, as he ages, is developing a lot more of these...quirks. If I want to continue living in harmony, I have to accept them with Grace.
Buying an acceptable anything in bulk now is the best idea ever. I think it can save time, money, and the marriage. It's a win-win strategy!
My husband is not like this at all, he has more shoes than anyone else in our house, we mockingly call him Imelda Marcos due to his very large shoe collection (not as big as hers by any stretch of the imagination|). Your husband sounds very like my son however, he has one pair of shoes (he also owns wellies and walking boots and that is it) and they are the third pair of the exact same shoe. I don't think I will find another pair the same now, I really struggled to find the last pair. He has three pairs of the exact same pair of jeans which he wears each and every day, he has been wearing the same style of jeans for about five years now and wears them till they wear out and then we have to buy the same ones again.
ReplyDeleteI never thought I would ever buy shoes online but I buy them all that way now. I wear barefoot shoes and fortunately all the manufactures of these shoes provided width and length measurements so it makes shoe buying online so much easier. Our nearest shoe shop is about thirty miles away so it is just as well we can buy them that way now.
sustainablemum--I've bought shoes online--my latest pair of walking shoes were bought that way. Like you, I find a reputable brand that I know fits me well, and I go with them. Your son and my husband are very, very similar, yes. Sticking with the old Tried And True.
DeleteYou bring up an interesting point, and one that I've thought a lot about--the tradeoff of finding a nice place "far away from the madding crowd", so to speak, but giving up the close proximity of convenient shopping and medical services. Rick and I think about living part time at our lake property, but it's situated a bit of a drive from those things. I'm not at all sure I'm okay with doing that.
My husband did not like to shop. He had been quite accustomed to shopping for himself before we met, continued to do so. Rarely, if ever! I was with him. He walked in a store, back out again as quickly as possible with his purchase in hand since he knew in advance what he wanted and seemed to readily find it, shoes being no exception.
ReplyDeleteJoared--So nice to see you here again.
DeleteRick is the same way. He does not care for searching and dithering about. His perfect trip is like your late husband's--walk in, go directly to the exact item he wants, then purchase it and leave. Unfortunately, it would seem that Rick is far more exacting and persnickety about shoes than your husband was.