Ease on Down the Road...

I bought some RED SHOES!!

My quest to reinvent myself has been slow but sure, "joy and pain".

I was recently inspired by Sew Transformed and her "In Her Shoes" blog, and spurred on Liz, Joy and "Carrie Bradshaw" of course and began dreaming of RED shoes. I have never owned any.

I used to own heels. Lots of heels. I think that from 25-35 years of age, heels were 95% of my shoe wardrobe. All day, I pranced, strolled and sashayed, sometimes I even trotted (again like Carrie Bradshaw ) all over.

Over the past few years, a few more years in age, a couple more kids and, less time, the shoe wardrobe has taken a turn for the worst. There has been the early morning rush, that leaves little time for wardrobe changes, a baby on each hip, briefcase in one hand, lunch bag in another hand,and a kid in front and back, going downstairs. Not heel friendly ( at least not in a graceful way.)

It is amazing how some of us allow ourselves to be the first casualty in our busy lives. We often make the sacrifice of exercise and regular trips to the nail and hair salon. We also sometimes (a lot of the times) make the sacrifice of our sexiness, lookin' hot - ness.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not equating sexiness with high heels, but it's hard to argue that high heels can make your legs, stance, and look, totally sexy.

Then, last week, my school had our annual "Holiday Production". An homage to "The Wiz" (and to me, that must also mean"The Wizard of Oz".) I needed a new pair of shoes.

I wasn't in the store 5 minutes when I saw them. They called my name. My "Get A LIfe-Janie" angels were on my shoulders saying, "Yes!", "They're so cute.", "GET THEM!" They were Ruby Slippers.

It had to be a metaphor. Dorothy, a journey, meeting new friends, taking risks, being courageous, thinking and feeling?! These were the shoes for me!

I looked good when I got dressed. My feet were hot. As a matter of fact, I looked hot! The heels were high, but I knew I could "fake it till I made it". Off, I went.

By the time I got to the venue, they were feeling a little tight, but, it had been a long time. "Not to worry", I told my self. I'll be sitting most of the night anyway.

The musical started and I was sitting, but there was a strange numbness in my right foot. BUT I WAS SITTING DOWN?!

I stood up to walk some students to the bathroom and thought 'Hmmmm, this is not comfortable. Let me ask a parent to take them. These things are pinching me"

By the time my students had to go to the wings for their number an hour later, I was hobbling, (but trying not to let them see me hobble) Just take slow steps...."oh my god, I am supposed to be looking hot!"

Thank goodness the 8th grade number was the LAST number. The number entitled "Home". By this time, my sexy Ruby Slippers felt like they were on fire and my toes must have been bleeding!

As little Dorothy's voice rang out, hitting those last notes...."like hooooooooommmmmmmeeee!, I was painfully clicking the heels of my ruby slippers together. "There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home!".

The curtain closed. I snatched...well, peeled those beautiful, sexy heels off of my feet and hobbled to my car. I drove home in comfort, shoeless.

Although by the time I walked in my door, my Ruby Slippers were slung somewhere in the back of the car, I had felt good in the process. I had found my heart, my brains and my courage (just think, over some red shoes?!) and thank goodness, I found home, cause those shoes had to come off!