Today’s PhotoHunt Theme: Shoes.
… for free shoes. Just call me Imelda. In fact, many of my friends used to.
Why? Because I’m a freakin’ Shoe Horder.
And let’s just get this first thing straight. I’m really no girly girl.
(Aside: I totally just heard Hans & Franz in my head calling me a “Gurrlie Gurrrl.”)
Anyway – not a big ‘girly girl.’ In fact, until the end of grad school, I even refused to wear pink.
I am also not what I’d call A Material Girl. So often, for me, less is more.
In fact, weirdly enough for the point I’m trying to make here… I LOVE being barefoot.
But, still… shoes? I LOVE SHOES. *twitches a little*
Cute shoes, comfie shoes, flip-flops, heels, tennies, boots, sandals, whatevs.
I have even loved some very ugly shoes.
Just.SHOES.
At almost 3 months pregnant, I had to do a very, VERY painful thing.
We were preparing to move to Nashville, TN from Austin, TX, leaving behind jobs, friends, home, and one dog… because of a Gig change for John. And while that, in and of itself, was gut-wrenching… and I had to pack almost the entire house myself (while working a 40+hr/wk job) because John was already living in TN… the WORST part was deciding I had to pare down The Shoe Collection.
We had WAY too much stuff to move. And I had to pack it all. And I was FREAKING TIRED. My body was making a human being at the time, and all.
So, when I started packing the shoes… and realizing that there were still shoes in The Shoe Collection which I bought in HIGH SCHOOL? (Sorry to yell at you but, HIGH SCHOOL, PEOPLE.) I had to face the realization that these shoes needed to go to a new home.
At Goodwill. Where my tired ass wouldn’t have to pack or lug them across several states.
So… about 40 pairs of shoes were donated to Goodwill.
*cringe*
And the ones I kept still filled a box. A, um, large box.
Unfortunately, pregnancy not only gave me a beautiful baby boy -
- but a permanent widening of my feet.
So, guess what I discovered, which was still holding true even way, WAY after Braden was already happily cruising through this world, getting into way too much crap -
- and constantly demonstrating to us the power of his lungs… can you guess?
MY SHOES DO NOT FIT ME ANYMORE.
Only a few pair still fit. *cries into hands*
And so, slowly, I have donated small loads of my beloved shoesies here and there, to Goodwill.
And The Collection has dwindled greatly.
But please, don’t grieve for me too much.
I’ve managed to keep my claws in some good ones.
And slowly, ever so slowly… perhaps we will see The Collection rise again.
A Shoe Horder can dream, can’t she? 
#1 by Shamelessly Sassy on May 24, 2008 - 12:39 AM
My feet widened ridiculously after I had allie. It was as if there was an evil plot going on to tell me that I would no longer need or be capable of wearing stilettos. Additionally, I am hoping that the boob crack sweat I read about via twitter has halted. Boob crack sweat is the worst.
Oh yeah, FIRRRRSSSST!
Shamelessly Sassy’s last blog post..Keeping It Real
#2 by Tasina on May 24, 2008 - 1:05 AM
Oh.my.god.shoes!
I love shoes. My latest score has been some little Mary Jane slippers from chinadirectstore.com. I love them. I got black ones with red kanji characters and a blue brocade pair. Less than $15 for two pairs AND shipping. Of course – they’ll fall apart and be trashed by the end of the summer, but that’s perfectly ok.
SHOES!!!!
Tasina’s last blog post..Call the fashion police
#3 by Maggie's Mind on May 24, 2008 - 1:29 AM
I spend all of my shoe money on lattes. I seriously wear the same bad shoes for years because buying them reminds me of buying bras – they won’t fit right, will take time to break in, cost too much and are generally just a pain in the ass. I’ll drink your share of coffee if you buy my share of shoes. Deal?
Maggie’s Mind’s last blog post..Emily Gould – Exposed – Blog-Post Confidential
#4 by Gattina on May 24, 2008 - 2:46 AM
hahaha ! nice shoe story ! I am not an Imelda at all ! but my mother was she had to buy at least one pair per months !
#5 by river on May 24, 2008 - 4:16 AM
Shoes? Let’s see…one pair of black work shoes, (sneaker styled,) one pair of weekend shoes, (sneakers), one pair of rubber thongs (flip flops) for summer in the garden, one pair of rubber rainboots for winter in the garden, and that’s it. Oh and house slippers for winter.
#6 by Veronica on May 24, 2008 - 4:17 AM
Mmmm shoes. I love new and pretty shoes, but I honestly DETEST shoe shopping. Absolutely hate it.
Veronica’s last blog post..Seven
#7 by Miss Britt on May 24, 2008 - 5:43 AM
I am also a shoe fanatic.
With my first son, no problem. I just bought more shoes – comfy ones that did not require much bending over and tying of the laces.
I was completely FLOORED when I got pregnant with my daughter and my feet grew. About two years later, we moved to Florida and I had to “make a choice”.
You’d think it would have been easier since 90% of them didn’t fit anymore anyway.
ANYway – i tell you all this (me too! me too!) to tell you this: we’ve lived in Florida for 9 months now and I now have 5 shoe racks in my closet. Keep the Faith my good Sistah!
Miss Britt’s last blog post..Is love supposed to make me want to slit my wrists?
#8 by Marylin on May 24, 2008 - 6:19 AM
Mmmm your shoes look gorgeous
I miss having a Shoe Collection… my feet also got bigger when I had Zack… *sigh*
Marylin’s last blog post..Hai kudn’t think of a title…
#9 by lilacspecs on May 24, 2008 - 6:49 AM
I had a bit of a shoe fetish in highschool, I admit, though I’m nowhere near a girly girl either. I’m not sure why it faded, but I’m glad it did. Moving overseas with 40 pairs of shoes would’ve been tough.
lilacspecs’s last blog post..The Complexity of Domesticity
#10 by Z on May 24, 2008 - 7:27 AM
I LOVE SHOES. I am so with you on this, including having shoes in my closet from highschool, and now I am in the having-to-pare-down stage, and whooo boy is it painful. My shoes! My preshus, preshus shoes!
Z’s last blog post..Personification of LAME
#11 by HappyCampers on May 24, 2008 - 7:30 AM
Ah, the things they forget to tell you about pregnancy, huh? My feet changed too and I went up 1/2 size. Doesn’t sound like much, but so many of my faves don’t fit anymore.
And I currently have shoes from high school to! HAHAHAHA!!
HappyCampers’s last blog post..Why?
#12 by Drea on May 24, 2008 - 7:44 AM
my feet didnt widen but they grew a size.
i use to wear a 6- 6 1/2 now im a 7 or 7 1/2
Drea’s last blog post..We take re-use to a new level
#13 by Lynn on May 24, 2008 - 8:52 AM
So the shoes of Imelda is still remembered from across the universe.
Anyway, I love to go barefoot too especially when inside the bedroom.
Lynn’s last blog post..Pink Shoes
#14 by Tamy on May 24, 2008 - 8:59 AM
Fantastic post – I really felt for you, you described my life too. I had to do the same paring down recently and it was gut wrenching (and I’m not even a real shoe person) – some of them had been with me since high school too! And like you, more often than not, I’m barefoot, in tennies or flip flops!
Tamy’s last blog post..Scrumptious Sunday ~ Patio Coolers
#15 by Mamasphere on May 24, 2008 - 9:00 AM
The same thing happened to me! I had to get rid of some really fabulous shoes (and when you’re single with money to spend, you can collect some really great shoes) and start over. Now, four years later, my feet have returned to normal, and I’m having to start all over AGAIN. I had no idea that could happen. I seem to have that kind of luck.
My latest collection, though, I’m keeping. Just in case I go up half a size with the next baby. I’ll be prepared.
Mamasphere’s last blog post..Ballet Bites The Dust
#16 by Mrs. Mecomber on May 24, 2008 - 9:01 AM
ROFL!!! Found you through tnchick. Great post! I am the exact opposite of you, except for one thing: after having my babies, my feet got bigger, too!
The price we moms do pay!
Mrs. Mecomber’s last blog post..Photo Hunters: Shoes
#17 by Secret Agent Mama on May 24, 2008 - 9:14 AM
I loooooooooooooove shoes! and many of mine have also had to wait, dormant, as a result of my last pregnancy. I’m in between sizes and it basically is THE SUCK!
Secret Agent Mama’s last blog post..Project 365 (273/365)
#18 by Sunshine on May 24, 2008 - 9:17 AM
My feet got bigger after four babies where it is now a 6 3/4, not a 6 1/2 nor quite a 7. Sucks. But I didn’t have a fab shoe collection, I had a LOT of shoes but nothing I couldn’t find again.
Someday, you will rule a country for shoes, I can feel it…
Sunshine’s last blog post..This Post Could Have Two Titles: Indiana Jones – Wallpaper Ripper or Imagine There’s No Wallpaper
#19 by Holly on May 24, 2008 - 9:17 AM
You love shoes more than I do. You win!
Holly’s last blog post..Fast-food summer?
#20 by Meg on May 24, 2008 - 9:20 AM
Yes, the widening of the feet after pregnancy–no one warned us about that one.
You’ve got some great shoes. Maybe you can use some of the smaller one as planters!
Meg’s last blog post..Dude, Get Off Of My Cloud
#21 by Allison (aka AngelGal) on May 24, 2008 - 9:31 AM
Shoes are nice, but really…I’ve never seen the point in getting so many pairs. As evidence by my own “collection”, which totals (let me take a minute and think here) 6 pairs…I’ve got “gym shoes” (I find it funny that even 14 years after high school, I call them that), dress shoes (you remember that post, right? My only “I’ve got to have THAT pair.” And only because I went looking for the flats I usually bought, so I’d have more than just my gym shoes to wear when I “go out”. And to church.), sandals (older than P—bought just months before he was conceived. Or maybe to replace that pair, I think, because I think the originals were brown, not the cream these are), flip flops (can’t live without them!), a pair of slippers I hardly ever use, which dust bunnies wear more than I do, and my winter boots (which are actually from the men’s section of Payless, because I don’t like the “girlie” boots they sell for women. A boot should be sturdy, and PROTECT your feet. You should take them off after you trudge through the snow, to a place you can put on your pretty shoes. I’m from WNY, I’m used to dealing with snow.).
And heels? I’ll probably never wear them again. I haven’t since I gained all the weight from taking Depo. The thought of even trying them on now makes my left ankle ache. Say the word—ow! D thinks it’s funny.
Allison (aka AngelGal)’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday #3 – First in 5 Years!
#22 by BusyDad on May 24, 2008 - 11:00 AM
With a post title like that, I just HAD to come over and see what silliness this would be about.
BusyDad’s last blog post..Sometimes…
#23 by Kat on May 24, 2008 - 11:03 AM
Oh man… I’m with you on this one. When we moved from FL to CA, I gave away two big boxes full of shoes. Some of them I hadn’t seen in years – and post-baby, they didn’t fit me anymore – which, at least, made it less painful. I gave away my red suede cowboy boots. That was the worst. At least they went to someone who would love them. =)
#24 by Karen of Sillymonkeez on May 24, 2008 - 11:46 AM
Wow! You weren’t exaggerating about your love for shoes that’s for sure. LOL!! Great photos! Thanks for sharing with us. Have a great weekend!!!
Karen of Sillymonkeez’s last blog post..Alphabet Photos (Letter X)
#25 by Becky on May 24, 2008 - 12:03 PM
Oh my, yes. None of my massive shoe collection from the old pre-mommy days fits anymore. But I haven’t been able to bring myself to toss them. They are so so pretty. Even the ones from HIGH SCHOOL! lmao
Re: Tasina’s comment…OMG I know those mary janes! I have 3 pair…red, black and pink. Love those! Cute, cumfy flats and cheap too. Can’t beat that, even if you have to buy a pair or two every year. LOL
Becky’s last blog post..The wolf said WHAT!??
#26 by MP on May 24, 2008 - 1:12 PM
You got me singing Material Girl too
MP’s last blog post..My attempt at computer art
#27 by shannymar on May 24, 2008 - 1:41 PM
I’m a shoe hoarder too! My husband makes fun of me because I have over 23 pairs of shoes in the closet. Although I only wear 3 of the 23 pairs. They’re not even that nice of shoes. Some are trashed and I don’t know why I even keep them. Your shoes are cute. If I saw them at Goodwill I might be tempted to add them to my already ridiculous collection!
shannymar’s last blog post..Saturday Self Portrait # 5-Dark and stormy walk
#28 by Penelope Anne on May 24, 2008 - 1:56 PM
I have a girlfriend who has a very large rubbermaid container of shoes for each season of the year so 4 big boxes, and she crams some shoes just to be able to keep more. Miss Micheyla is becoming quite the shoe gal, but she does not get that from me…I much prefer to be barefoot! My Photohunt is posted though.
Penelope Anne’s last blog post..Photo Hunters #13 ~ These Shoes Are Made for Walking
#29 by peppylady on May 24, 2008 - 1:57 PM
Back in the days (mid 60’s) the first picture they where called things and now there flip flops.
peppylady’s last blog post..Photo Hunt (Shoes)
#30 by missy wiggins on May 24, 2008 - 1:57 PM
I too am not a girly girl, yet shoes are something I could buy at a whim, although I don’t. But when a holiday comes around my husband usually knows that the way to my heart (and good side) is a pair of shoes.
And I agree. Less is more and pink stinks!
missy wiggins’s last blog post..Food Friday
#31 by tenakim on May 24, 2008 - 2:56 PM
I was never a shoe person BK(before kids) back when I was thin and had a normal size 7. But then AK (after kids)- I couldn’t fit into cute fun clothes anymore, so I turned to shoes. Wierd thing is, when my body got bigger, my feet shrunk- so it’s hard to find a good selection of 5.5!
#32 by Jenty on May 24, 2008 - 3:14 PM
The widening of feet thing happened to me too! In my case it was quite welcome, as I had VERY narrow feet before.
But, what better excuse to go shopping
Jenty’s last blog post..Photohunt: Shoes
#33 by Elizabeth on May 24, 2008 - 4:00 PM
Before I got pregnant the first time? Size 5, teeny tiny feet. After baby #1, size 5 1/2. After baby #2, size 6-finally I could shop for shoes at most stores instead of only those few places that carried shoes for elf-feet. After baby #3, size 6 1/2. I still buy most of my shoes at Goodwill though.
I’m not a shoe hoarder, but I feel your pain having to get rid of so many pairs. Oh and also, that photo of you and Braden-SO CUTE!
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Why I’ll be painting my bathroom this weekend and other easy projects from Home Depot
#34 by Madness on May 24, 2008 - 4:19 PM
Madness has only a few pair of shoes. Not that she herself doesnt love a good pair of shoes.. Alas, Madness has TEN OTHER FEET to keep shoes on.. so Madness suffers. But YOU ma’gurl..have some kick arse shoes! Kudos. Madness thinks Lotus should post pics of each new pair of shoes she gets for the new collection .. Oh. Yes.
Madness’s last blog post..when He speaks they shall listen … learn .. and love
#35 by Dette on May 24, 2008 - 5:57 PM
I hear you girl – hubz STILL can’t understand why a woman needs 6 pairs of shoes.
Dette’s last blog post..No. Friggin’. WAY.
#36 by Jenski on May 24, 2008 - 7:13 PM
I love the shoes you still have! That is soooo sad to have to get rid of so many. I should use the inspiration to pare down my small collection…especially because I bought more recently.
Jenski’s last blog post..A delayed response to Idol
#37 by Mommy of Wonder Twins on May 24, 2008 - 8:01 PM
I’m with you! I love to be barefoot, but when I do wear shoes they must be fabulous!!! My feet grew about a half a size during my pregnancy and I almost cried when I had to get rid of some of my “babies”. However, I REFUSE to get rid of the special ones … like the red platform shoes that give toe cleavage and a peek of manicured toe nails or my leopard print stilettos with the beautiful black flower on the top and gold soles or my “take me” black, stiletto, up to the knee boots. No, no, no … I will smile and pretend that they are as comfortable as they are fabulous in true “Sex in the City” style.
#38 by Ree on May 24, 2008 - 9:22 PM
abso-freakin-lutely. Even flip-flops – with the right amount of bling, can work.
Ree’s last blog post..In Which I Solicit Your Opinion
#39 by rachel on May 24, 2008 - 9:22 PM
I love flip flops.
That’s my shoe hoarding. Reefs, Yellowbox.. I love them. But of course here in S. TX there are what… 5 days a year where flip flops aren’t wearable
I was thrilled with the foot widening after both pregnancies! I had really narrow feet before and they’re only slightly narrow now, makes shoe buying so much simpler.r
rachel’s last blog post..Under Her Umbrella
#40 by Angeline on May 24, 2008 - 9:33 PM
Oh I love looking at shoes of all sort…but I totally hate shopping for them….’cos I’m such a picky…
Angeline’s last blog post..Congratulations
#41 by Taz on May 24, 2008 - 10:08 PM
i loves shoes
i have a few..
i hardly wear em..
i enjoy barefeet the most..
Taz’s last blog post..A special for the week.. i call it friends..
#42 by tommie on May 24, 2008 - 10:42 PM
Love those red and pink ones on the bottom!
I could seriously live in just flip flops…heck, I did in TX.
tommie’s last blog post..Photohunt: Shoes
#43 by Kelley on May 24, 2008 - 10:43 PM
Firstly, slap Shamelessy Sassy for me for doing the whole ‘FIRST’ thing…. She KNOWS how much I hate that.
And I will let you know when I finally do my shoe whoring post that everyone has been begging for. I have an insane amount of shoes. I will save them first in a house fire, cause my kids have got legs and my shoes need mine…
And the good news babe? My feet got bigger with the first baby, but stayed the same after that.
Kelley’s last blog post..Damn. I wasted my wishes.
#44 by Sarah on May 24, 2008 - 10:46 PM
*giggle* Why do I see future posts of shoe updates coming?!?!
I’ve never been a shoe hoarder…but as of now I’d kill for some adorable shoes that I can wear all summer, and some nice sneakers, too…neither of which is allowed to be expensive. I ain’t got the budget for it
Sarah’s last blog post..Too much to do…
#45 by Karen MEG on May 24, 2008 - 10:56 PM
I also have a love affair with shoes … canNOT stop buying them. I need to get rid of some too … I have some from university and um, I graduated probably before you were born. Sheesh!
Karen MEG’s last blog post..Me and my girl
#46 by Hockeyman on May 24, 2008 - 10:58 PM
Wow, my wife would have NEVER accepted pacing by herself. I will never get the shoe thing, my wife is terrible with that as well. I have the following: 1 pair of tennis shoes, 1 pair of outside tennis shoes (my last pair of primary tennis shoes which replace the current outside shoes), 1 pair of doc’s, 1 pair of flip-flops, 1 pair of croc’s, 1 pair of dress shoes for my suit. Beyond that, why require more? I don’t understand…
Hockeyman’s last blog post..Where are the pictures?
#47 by Rachael on May 25, 2008 - 12:38 AM
I heart shoes – I heart your shoes! Luckily, my feet did not stay the two sizes bigger they became during the first weeks of pregnancy when nothing fit except my birkenstocks let out 2 notches. I have a drawer full… and as I’ve gotten older I started buying more shoes but instead of just being cute, they also had to be comfortable… = more expensive! Oh well. My husband and I have an agreement. He doesn’t understand why I need shoes, I don’t understand why he needs so many electronic things and cords for his computer.
Rachael’s last blog post..Advice on Resumes and Cover Letters
#48 by wright on May 25, 2008 - 6:42 AM
AH, wide feet. Welcome to my world.
wright’s last blog post..Haiku Friday – Lounging
#49 by Karen on May 25, 2008 - 8:01 PM
I’ve never been a shoe person… thank heavens, because I’m lucky when I find shoes that I like “just a little bit”.
I’ve got the wide foot problem too. *sigh*
Currently, I’m on the hunt for sandals.
Karen’s last blog post..Clothes, Clothes and MORE Clothes!
#50 by SherE1 on May 27, 2008 - 2:21 PM
My shoe size actually went up a full size after my first child. Didn’t change much after the other kids besides the widening, as well. I love me some shoes but hubby and I are ranked super low on the totem pole of who gets new shoes. My kids, though, could put Imedla Marcos to shame! Those lucky dogs! My 12 YO is almost the same shoe size as me so pretty soon I’ll have a great excuse to buy a whole mess of new shoes for me… I mean, her!
SherE1’s last blog post..Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
#51 by tnchick on May 30, 2008 - 12:31 PM
I go barefoot, too – often but I also LOVE shoes…
I really like those with the green socks up there!
tnchick’s last blog post..Help me pick…