NaBloShoeMo

So, here’s a quick edit of a small section of my many pairs of footwear.  Credit where it’s due? Major shout out to Eden at fussy.  She also posts a mean NaBloShoeMo.  Stole the idea right from her.  Fussy is one of the first blogs I read back in the old days of rotary phones and turntables.

(Get off my lawn!)

So, The Boots.

They’re vintage and belonged to my Mother.  She was a 60′s era folk singer.  I imagine they looked fantastic with a pair of patterned tights and a cute jersey mini-dress.  (Notice they don’t even fit in the Instagram frame.)

I’d wear them but they’re about 2 sizes too small.  Crushed, I’m crushed.

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White Mountain Suede “Sh-Booties”

These numbers were purchased at Marshall’s and were a raging deal.  The bonus?  They have an awesome tread.  I’ll be able to wear these even in the worst, snowy Cleveland conditions.  And still be wearing hot shoes.  Because that’s important.

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Snow Boots

These are my dress snow boots.  Yes, I am a vain asshole.  They have great tread, are water proof and are lined.  The beauty of them?  If it’s punchy snow, I dig in the heels and am completely mobile and don’t slip.

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Born Hippie Boots

These are great with hippie skirts or jeans.  I got them on sale at DSW several years ago.  They would also probably look cute with tights and a jean mini.  Hmmm, I might have to put that together for the weekend!

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Doc Marten Shit Kickers

Because sometimes you have to go old school, even at work.  They can be polished to a nice shine.  Not that I’d ever do that to these.  I like to think I’m cultivating the Johnny Depp worn-out, ugly boot look.

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These Are my Moon Boots

Technically these should be my snow boots.  If I go sled riding or decide to make snow angels with my nephew, I wear these.  They could even be considered apres ski wear if I ever actually went skiing.  They’re insulated, they’re waterproof and I look like an alien when I wear them.

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Steampunk Boots

I purchased these at JCPenney specifically to wear with my first Steampunk outfit.  They’re hot looking.  And just a tad bit too high.  I’m wearing them anyway because they’re hot.  And they’re Steampunk.

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80′s Vintage

Purloined from Grandma’s closet.  Yeah, the Mom of my Mom.  I think their taste in boots is similar.  Which is to say it’s excellent.  These are awesome with black tights and a mini.  Very sassy.  Also very nice with flared jeans.

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My First Love

I bought these at Marshall Field’s in the late 80′s.  I had absolutely no business buying these beauties.  The price I paid for them then is out of my budget even now.

And I wish they still fit me.  I had pipsqueak little feet then.  I’m glad I still have them.  I take them out every now and again and bask in the glory.

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First Pair of Spider Killers

Yes, that’s a pair of stainless toes on the black, soft as velvet, Elk cowboy boots.  They’re beautiful.  They’re comfortable.  They’re kick ass.

And I can wear them in Cleveland approximately 3 days out of the year.  It has to be cool.  There cannot be any road salt on the pavement at all.

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Dude, Are You Serious?

These Luccheses are just cowboy boot perfection.  The pattern and colors are stunning.  And yet, as far as cowboy boots go, they’re not too outlandish.  I can wear them with a long black skirt and black blazer to work, even.  They, of course, look way better with jeans or a jean skirt.  But I like to push the envelope a bit and wear them to work.  Because I can. (3 days per year only, just as the boots above)

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It started. (the parties…that is)

It was a whirlwind of parties, dinners, lunches and girl’s time. DD and I were invited to visit our East Side friends, then to a consulting group buffet. We got home at 11 pm on Saturday after, literally, a full day.

Sunday rolls through with girl’s afternoon and a little kitchen fun. I was half way through making popcorn balls when I realized that I haven’t made popcorn balls since I was 15. And I was making popcorn balls for a party.

What the Hell was I THINKING? Isn’t there a general rule?

Don’t try out a new recipe for the first time & attempt to serve it or take it to a party.

So that’s exactly what I did. I took popcorn balls to my party. The stuff that didn’t actually turn into popcorn balls stayed at home for the guys and football. So, I ended up serving the brand new, untested recipe at two separate functions.

So here’s what I did:

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I popped two large bowls of popcorn.  I grated carmelized ginger, and also decided to use sesame seeds & chopped raisins as garnish.

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Then I  lined two cookie trays with parchment paper.

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I melted 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup & 2 Tbs margarine over medium heat & allegedly stirred constantly. As the syrup started to cook, I kept stirring until the sugar melted & the mixture darkened.

Then came the tricky part.  I poured the boiling mixture over the popcorn & began to form the popcorn balls with my hands.  I’m a fan of greasing my hands with butter or margarine to do this.  Less sticky and less burny too.  I rolled the popcorn balls into the add-ins.  I let the balls cool on the parchment paper & wrapped them in small decorative bags to display and serve.

Any popcorn that doesn’t seem to want to be rolled into balls can be eaten as caramel corn.  Delish!

And this, after 2 parties, is all that’s left!

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Still here!

So, I’m kinda hooked on this blogging thing again. As I said earlier in the month, I’m finding that writing, even if it’s writing about day-to-day, process-ey stuff, is really making me happy.

So, I’ll write at least a couple of times a week, try to keep my streak going and try to keep my creative juices at their peak.

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30. 2nd half

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So, yeah. I’m still in the ladies restroom at work. (I know, I know. Weird, huh?)  This is an interior door in the restroom. The knob doesn’t work. And if it did, it would open to nowhere. The room that’s adjacent, well, it’s just drywall covering up any hint of a door on the other side. I laugh every time I’m in here because of the stupid door to nowhere that has “ladies” scrawled on it.

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Wow, that was abrupt. All if a sudden it’s the end of the day, it’s raining and I’m on my way home. I’m happy with my commute. It’s 5 miles. All city driving. Easy-Peasy.

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DD at the stove again. He’s making delicious Wedding Soup.

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Here’s my #1 favorite hobby.  (other than twitter, of course.)   I like to make jewelry.  At the kitchen table. During meals.

So there.

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Remnants of my amazing hydrangeas. Drying so I can keep the loveliness all winter.

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Anal retentive, very selective  kitchen organization. Selective in that You.  Are. Not. Allowed. To. Look. In. My. Pantry.

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Good night!

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29. Another True Story

I’ve taken photos so I can ShoePoBloMo you.  (that sounds a little risque, doesn’t it?) Shoe Posting Blog Month….get those filthy ideas out of your head!

And I don’t like the quality of the light.  Picky, aren’t I?  I guess I’m just going to have to Instagram every darn one of my shoe photos.  I’ll be at it for a while…

See you soon!

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28. 24 or maybe a few less

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This is one of the first things I actually see, really see in the morning. Before that it’s just a jumbled blur of instinctual motions, emotions & desires.

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DD does all of the chores shown above. The cat loves him more because he is the food giver, generally.

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I’ve survived a shower, a desperate wrangle with a laundry basket or a grievous clothing crisis. I’ve been fed, watered, vitaminned ( that’s a word, right?) and shooed out the door. I still may not know what day it is but I’m on my way with lunch and my “business lady purse”.

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The crossing guard is here, usually. Sometimes, if I’m in the cute car she even waves at me.

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Yeah, that’s a zombie finger puppet.

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OK. I’m here. Now what? Turn on the heat or a/c, then get some more java.

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Hi Keurig. I <3 you!

There was nearly a revolt when the Keurig died.

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Wow. Does my hair look as screwed up as I think it does? No? OK, I think I’m good.

——————-

24 hours, or less continues tomorrow. Or is that today?

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27. Quick Story (alt. title: True Story)

Well it’s kinda like magic sometimes. (And like magic, it’s hard to prove anything. Here I am. Hi! I’m not taking enough pictures.)

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At work, we decided to have our first annual “Appreciation Open House”. I’m sorry if you missed it because it was awesome! The company for whom I work has been in business for 13 years. Both of the owners have been in this industry for 30 to 40 years. Everyone in our small, big city, who is in construction, knows them.

And they’ve never had a luncheon, an open house or other social event in….well, 13 years. So, it was our job to fix that.

(Why the hell am I telling you about work, with the anonymity thing, and all? Well, it’s because I throw a kick ass party.)

The rundown:

Pick either lunch from 11-2 or dinner from 4-7. Yummy delicious caterer, Bucci’s, set us up….gourmet sandwiches & salad, antipasto counter, cookie/pastry counter, wedding soup. Dinner was prime rib, stir fry station, pasta station, antipasto station (again) & salad station.

Invite 375 of your closest friends and customers. Add wine to dinner. And a $500 cash drawing. And 200 of your closest friends and customers show up.

Nicely done.

This was 2 weeks ago and we just threw away the last of the flower arrangements and ate the last of the food. We had fun, our customers had fun and….

it was a huge success!

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