From Cole Haan Heels to DSW Memory Foam

How things have changed! Since I retired in February my style of clothes and shoes has really changed. I haven't yet gone through my wardrobe to dump half of the things I will probably never wear again. Yes, I still wore stockings and heels to work, although for the last few months I was wearing primarily flats. I can't imagine ever wearing heels again, especially since I think I may have plantar fasciitis on the right foot. Something just felt like it ripped one day when I was getting up off the floor. Isn't it fun getting old? Anyway, wearing size 11 shoes doesn't help the matter much either. It was always - what do you have in my size? - rather than please show me this! Since we have been walking every morning and my walking shoes are over ten years old and have water leaks, I decided it was time for a run to DSW to see what we could find for my new life. It started out pretty depressing as there was nothing in my size. But as we headed toward the athletic shoes, things changed a bit and I was finally able to find three pair of comfortable, memory foam, form2u - whatever you want to call the - shoes. I never thought memory foam would be so important until now. Walking on anything without a padded foundation is out of the question. I still have an urge to visit Cole Haan again for a step up comfortable, less old lady flat for more formal occasions. I really need to dump all the old stuff too. I just need to find some time. Since I retired, it seems there is even less than before! But now I am really looking forward to our morning walks in my stylish retired old lady shoes. 

From Heels to Flats

I always had a variety of shoes to match my closet full of clothes for all seasons - especially in Milwaukee. I also had a large closet to house all these clothes, shoes, and boots. Most of the time I wore heels with my work clothes - some were up to three inches - making me an imposing five feet eleven inches. Maybe it helped when I had to deal with obnoxious physicians. My coworkers gave me a Nordstrom going away gift certificate when I left, and I happily got two new high healed pairs of shoes for my new job here. However, our closet space here remains practically non existent. I am also several years older, and the sidewalks are lousy. So most of my heels and work shoes sit in a file drawer in my office. Because I walk a couple blocks to the office, I always wear my flat "home shoes" or boots to and from work and change in to my work shoes.  But over the last year, I have not even worn any of these work shoes or boots once. They have all been exchanged for a single pair of flat shoes that have a silver or gold hue depending on whatever it is that I happen to be wearing. It must be a sign of the times... working less hours a week, edging towards retirement, personal priorities changing, clothes purchases only have to do with weekend wear rather than work. It's just another transition, and in my mind, a very good one.