High Heels and Flip Flops

I have cute feet. I'm not bragging, I'm simply stating a fact. They are somewhat small (when not swollen bulges of water), I like to keep them pedicured, and I have the cutest freckle at the bottom of my nail on my right big toe. They aren't flaky or smelly, and I've never mistreated them. I've always worn shoes that fit and accentuate the positive. I've always paid good money for shoes because I think that good shoes are worth the money, and more than anything, I want to be comfortable wearing them.

I have a love hate relationship with shoes. I have about 100 pair, but only wear a few of them for one reason or another. I love high heels. I love the look of them, I love different styles, I love to see my cute, painted toes poke out from them, but I can't wear them anymore. They simply hurt my already aching feet.

The last time I wore my favorite pair of heels was when I graduated with my Master's in 2007. I walked down Shorter Hill in the processional in torrential pain. I suffered through the ceremony, and made it until I met the photographer. I have one picture in my stockinged feet taken by the wrought iron gates, and it's my favorite one.I never put those heels on again afther that.

My most impressive spanse of footwear resides in the flip-flop/sandal arena. I have five pairs of Birkenstocks I still wear (one pair 20 years old and one pair 18 years old). I still wear the 18 year old ones. My Teva collection grows every year. My first Tevas died in a rafting accident, and I learned to buy sturdier ones, hence my second pair of purple Alps. I got those in 1996 for $110. My grandmother yelled at me for spending that much on sandals. I still wear them every summer. So far, I've only spent about $7 a year on them, and they are in perfect shape. Over the past 5 or so years, though, I have developed a taste for Teva flip-flops. I won't reveal the quantity of those, but I will say I have more than 10 pairs - I have over 1,000 pairs according to Phil.

The swelling and pain caused by my RA have limited me on my choice of footwear. Even my most conservative black loafers or short heeled mules cause me pain. And here I am now with my feet kicked up, shoes off at my desk typing, and dreaming of my Laura Ashley heels that I know I will be able to wear again someday. Sometimes none of my shoes fit, and I walk around bare foot or in my house shoes. I'm getting too accustomed to this. In a few weeks time, I'll be able to wear my high heels and flip-flops comfortably again!