If It's Messy, Barn Boots Are The Best

When we moved out to the country we lived across the street from a hog farm. The couple had three children and they were all a bit strange. They were nice enough people, but they did weird things. The couple had met when he purchased the farm. The land he purchased adjoined the woman’s parent’s farm. Within a year of him moving there they were married. This meant she lived less than a mile from her parents.

Because farm work can be messy and barn yards muddy many people wear barn boots. This type of boot is made of rubber so you can hose them down when they get dirty. Many barn boots also have reinforced steel toes to protect your toes if something falls on your foot. Due to the material they are made of and the steel reinforcements, barn boots are quite warm and heavy to wear. Barn boots are meant to be worn as convenient and safe footgear when working around the barn. This family wore barn boots everywhere.

The family would walk to her parent’s house often. The two families shared in completing much of the farm work. No mater what time of year it was the family would be walking the mile between the two farms in the barn boots. The woman and her mom would also walk for exercise and the woman would have her boots on. In the summer she would wear the barn boots with shorts.

Because she did not work outside the home and farm the neighbor woman would like to come over and talk with me when ever she saw me outside. I worked as a social worker so I spent my day talking with people about their problems. In the evenings I wanted to work in my garden and have quiet time. My husband would laugh at me because I would sneak out my back door to avoid her seeing me. I think she would use binoculars to see if I was in the garden because it would not take long and she would be over in our yard telling me about all her troubles. I tried explaining to her several times that I needed quiet time, but she did not get it.

One day I had an extremely bad day at work. I told my husband that I needed to be outside. I knew that if I tried to go for a walk she would follow me and eventually catch up. I had my husband call to the neighbors so that she would be in the house and on the telephone. I then went out the back door and cut through a hayfield to get to the road. As I was walking off my frustrations from work I began to feel better. As I was walking back home I noticed my husband cutting across the hay field to join me. We laughed about the extremes we needed to go through to avoid the barn boots people.

Why I Love Ballet Shoes

Ballet shoes

My daughter just began ballet lessons. She told me, on her fourth birthday, that she wanted to be a ballerina when she grew up. Nothing thrilled me more than knowing that I had a true little girl. She wanted nothing to do with being a tomboy. I put her into some creative dance classes that they recommended before actually going into ballet. Her instructors told me after the first year, that they thought she would be perfect for beginner ballet lessons. I was even happier than she was.

We rushed out to buy the outfits that she would need for classes. She looked absolutely darling in her tights and tiny tutu. I was taking pictures every few seconds. Then, came the moment when we had to find ballet shoes. The salesperson was very helpful but my daughter didn't like the way that the ballet shoes felt on her feet. I explained to her that ballet shoes were supposed to feel like that and if she wanted to take the class, she needed to get them. She pouted for a few moments and then agreed. We left the store, ballet shoes in tow.

Her first class was a week later. She was all decked out elegantly in her new outfit but refused to put the ballet shoes on. After pleading with her for 15 minutes, I told her she could wear sandals and put her ballet shoes on when we arrived. She packed them in her bag but told me that she would be dancing in her sandals. I sighed and thought that I'd leave the drama to her teacher. We arrived and all of the other girls in her class were running around happily in their outfits with their ballet shoes on. My daughter removed her sandals but was content to walk around barefoot. I whispered the issue to the teacher, who agreed to deal with it. She approached my daughter, whispered something, and before I knew it, the ballet shoes were on her feet. Amazed, I left the room.

She's now in high school and we've gone through many pairs of ballet shoes. She has definitely continued to chase her dream of wanting to be a ballerina and she's off to a tremendous start. My heart soars proudly whenever I see her carrying those pink ballet shoes to class. I can't even tell you how many of my paychecks have been spent on buying outfits and ballet shoes. I can tell you that I have never once complained about a single moment of it. It has been worth every penny. I still have that first pair of tiny ballet shoes that were purchased and almost not worn. They are sitting on my dresser, next to her first picture in a ballet recital. How I love those ballet shoes.

5 inch Heel Shoes, A Right of Passage

Getting my high heeled shoes was kind of a rite of passage for me. You see, I grew up as sort of a tomboy. I hated dressing up. I would much rather be out back, climbing trees with the boys or playing football. Going to church was the worst. I hated all those fancy dresses and skirts. That is why I would not even look at high heel shoes. That is, until my older sister made me try on her 5 inch heels.

If you have never worn a 5 inch heel shoe before, there's just no way for you to imagine what it is like. You are towering up on a tiny spike, perilously suspended above the ground. This may seem to be an exaggeration to you, but this is exactly how it feels. The first time I put on that 5 inch heel shoe, I fell over almost immediately. It is not like I wanted to wear it anyway, and trying it out was such a hassle.

My sister actually made me put on the 5 inch heel shoe when she was babysitting me. She literally held me down and would not let me get up until I promised to try on the shoe. It was humiliating, and I hated it at first. After a while, however, it started to grow on me. I liked the challenge of walking around the house in a 5 inch heel. I liked the way it made me shake my hips while I walked. Although I still felt like a tomboy, I was getting to the age where I liked attention from the boys, and wearing a 5 inch heel would give me just that.

Of course I was never allowed to wear the 5 inch heels again. Once my sister found out that I liked it, she kept the 5 inch stiletto shoes away from me. Nonetheless, I did get to wear prettier shoes from then on. My mom was thrilled to see that I was getting more into girls shoes and girls fashion, and was willing to indulge me with a few trips to get new clothes. It was really a lot of fun, and it actually made me feel freer. You see, I could still dress up like a boy when I wanted to, but I also got to dress up like a girl. And as soon as I got old enough, I bought a 5 inch heel of my very own.

The Most Comfortable Shoes are no Longer Ugly or Chunky

Brooklyn, NY (ContentDesk) June 15, 2006 -- What comes to mind when you think about comfortable or orthopedic shoes? Thick soles? Ugly styles? Chunky designs? Yes, "comfortable" shoes have been given a bad rap and are habitually associated with a lack of style in exchange for comfort.

Well, a new online shoes site, www.Most-Comfortable-Shoes.com, is giving this theory a run for its money."It's the ugly or chunky-shoe stigma," Drew and Charlotte Waters, founders of Most-Comfortable-Shoes.com, explained. "Consumers will gladly pay for a good pair of comfortable shoes as long as they pass the style test.

"Manufacturers are aware of this stigma and are updating their styles and re-branding names. What used to be "orthopedic," is now "pedorthic" meaning anatomically correct or posture enhancing.While the variety of comfortable shoes can be overwhelming, the Internet has enabled Most-Comfortable-Shoes.com to bring together the best brands and styles of shoes, boots, sandals and clogs in one place. The site offers reviews and recommendations and once a visitor has made their selection, they are referred to the best online shoe stores where they can pick up their choices at the lowest guaranteed prices.

Recommendations are given for men's, women's and children's comfort styles."Ten years ago it was a choice between Birkenstocks and Doc Martens," Drew said. "Now the options are staggering. European manufacturers like Dansko, Ecco, Born, Naot and Mephisto have expanded into the U.S. marketplace; and, U.S. manufacturers like Merrell, New Balance, Keen and Rockport have redesigned and increased their output to meet this growing demand for comfortable shoes."Much of the footwear on the market today is neither comfortable nor good for the feet.

In fact, The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recently reported that 50 percent of Americans, aged 18-60, suffer from some kind of foot ailment; 12 percent of these ailments are related to wearing incorrect shoes. At Most-Comfortable-Shoes.com, consumers will find recommendations for the most comfortable brands available.

With an increasing awareness of how lifestyle choices affect health and longevity, people are looking for ways to enhance their well-being and comfortable shoes are part of this equation."We offer consumers that elusive blend of great style and supportive comfort," Charlotte explained. "We also refer them to the best online stores and the most competitive prices."Within its first few months online, the Most Comfortable Shoes site has gained a steady following, drawing over 2,000 visitors per day.

The site also shares tips on how to gain the most comfortable fit; determine foot type; and choose the most appropriate shoes for walking, running, hiking and travel activities."Our customers are business people, retail workers, hospitality and healthcare professionals, travelers, walking enthusiasts and a general public that is becoming aware of the benefits of wearing comfortable shoes," Drew said.The site was born out of a personal love for shoes and a quest for comfort. Both Drew and Charlotte worked in occupations requiring long hours on their feet; Charlotte was an associate producer for CBS News in Europe; and Drew was a freelance-documentary cameraman.

Both extensively researched orthopedic technology and consulted podiatrists about shoes that best support the feet."The most common phrase we kept hearing from professionals was 'people need to choose shoes that fit their feet, not make their feet fit the shoes,'" Drew said. "We wanted to compile all of our knowledge and personal research and offer it to other consumers." As a result, Most-Comfortable-Shoes.com recommends shoes that have features such as heels no higher than two inches; a wide-toe box that won't cramp or restrict the toes; cushioned footbeds that mold to the shape of the foot; and materials that allow the feet to breathe.

The site also recommends orthotic insoles and extra comfort shoes for people with arthritis and diabetes.Comfortable shoes with great style no longer have to be chased down; and, all shoes come with free shipping and free return shipping if shoes need to be exchanged for correct sizing.Concluded Drew, "Quite simply, our name really conveys what we do, we offer recommendations for the most comfortable shoes available."For more information, visit: http://www.most-comfortable-shoes.com All trademarks acknowledged..

Long Distance Running Tips for Novice Runners

Your heartbeat pounds in your ears, your eyes focus straight ahead and you only feel the thumping of your feet striding the path as the wind rushes by.

Yes, the experience of running can indeed be described as spiritual or poetic, but unfortunately many new runners find the experience to be boring, painful or even the cause of a serious injury which turns them off running altogether.

If you are interested in running for health, recreation or to train for a marathon supporting your cause, it is wise to take time to develop a healthy routine that will protect your body and create an enjoyable running experience.

STEP ONE: PREPARE TO RUN

It is crucial for a runner to invest in a proper pair of running shoes. Not doing so will put you at an increased risk of pain and serious injury. You will also quickly notice that a proper pair of running shoes gives you more cushion and support which will make running easier than using regular street shoes or those developed for another sport.

Hydration is also important for running. Staying hydrated will help you endure the run and keep your body in prime condition.

If you are training for a long distance race you will want to keep a log of your distance and/or time. You may also wish to log your style of training, any discomfort or feelings about the run if it suits your needs.


STEP TWO: WHERE TO RUN

Concrete sidewalks are NOT the place to run. Harder than asphalt and full of cracks you should make the effort to find a more suitable running surface.

Tracks are usually safe, but can be boring. If tracks are the only option try taking a friend to encourage you to stick to your routine.

Smooth dirt paths are the best option. Grass can work as well but watch for obstructions or uneven surfaces. You can ask local runners or a running store for recommendations for places to run.


STEP THREE: HOW TO RUN

There are various training methods for long distance runners, including interval training and speed training. However, for beginners there are a few basic suggestions to get you started.

Begin every run with a warm up walk. This gets your muscles ready to move. Take a walk break every ten minutes to rehydrate and extend your endurance.

Don't forget to breathe. You should be able to talk while running unless you are going for a fast run which is not usually suitable for a beginner. If you are gasping for breath you need to slow down. You will build endurance with time. It is better to start out easy and build up than wear yourself out.

STEP FOUR: HOW TO FINISH THE RUN

You should always walk for a minute or more after a run to cool down. Stretch your muscles for 10-15 minutes within about 15 minutes of completing your run to keep them from contracting and causing discomfort.

Ice packs or cool water on your legs will also reduce inflammation and help keep your body in good condition for the next run. Not taking these steps can lead to severe injury.

Enjoy your run and take care of your body and you may find that you enjoy the mental benefits of running as much as the physical!