SHOES!

SHOES!

I remember when the shoe-bug bit me.  

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Forget the Prince. Wish for legs for the shoes!!It was time for winter dress shoes, and I was a very excited six year old.  My mom brought me to whatever shoe store was popular in the North at that time (Buster Brown? Hush Puppy?).  And there they were.  "Charlotte" was their name, and they were a beautiful perforated grey leather with a grey leather bow and kitten heels.  By far the most stylish shoes I'd ever seen!  However, the guy in the shoe store came back with a size smaller than what I wore.  "We're out of that size.  But try these on just in case."  I managed to squeeze into them, but there was no room for walking or growth spurts.  They couldn't possibly not have MY size! Didn't he understand that this was destiny, fate, kismet, the will of God?  I had to have them! My mom graciously thanked the man as my bottom lip began to shake after he shoved every girly shoe in my size my direction...but no Charlotte.  He didn't understand.  I only got shoes when I outgrew other shoes! This was a big freakin deal!  Before the tears came, my mom led me from the store and promised to find even better ones for me.  She tried like hell, but all we could find was the typical black patent Mary Jane.   

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Shoes are so important, not just because they are addictive and awesome, but they have such specific purposes.  I quickly learned that the shoes I use for elliptical machines do not work out well for Zumba at the roller rink. I also determined that platforms are quite comfortable. 

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TIME. TO. DANCE.

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These shoes are made for Stylin! Not dancing.

One of the most important shoe discoveries I've ever made issalsa shoes. I tried dancing in several types of shoes that I had.  None were tight enough for my bizarrely skinny feet. Several styles wouldn't slide on the floor and brought me to a halt mid turn.  Then I began to notice that several ladies on the floor had shoes that looked like the ones on "Dancing with the Stars." I asked some people about the shoes.  They were salsa shoes!  I immediately went to Dance Galaxy and got fitted.  These shoes made all the difference.  The last pair I bought came at a time when I didn't need to be spending the money, but I knew that a new pair of dance shoes was a lot cheaper than a broken ankle or foot. 

The shoe bug still bites. I hope it never stops nibbling. 

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