Thursday, August 30, 2007

Hopping On Board

I wish I could say that I wasn't one of those people who is always hopping on the bandwagon. But, if the truth be told, I'm quite the hopper. If a wagon goes by bearing a band and I see that others are clambering aboard, then I will probably begin elbowing children and senior citizens aside in order that I might snag a spot for myself.

Despite this, I have somehow managed to elude the recent Crocs fad that seems to be going around. I do love a good shoe, don't get me wrong. But these never really appealed. I didn't like the fit as they seemed to waver between "sort of uncomfortably big" and "just a bit too small." I also couldn't quite see the sense in paying between thirty and forty dollars for an ill-fitting shoe that, to my eye anyway, was constructed of Styrofoam. The whole phenomenon just wasn't working for me and I carried on, convinced that I was living a full life.

With my recent training over and a couple more days of summer vacation left to me, I decided to make a trip back to the discount store to pick up a few odds 'n ends before the start of school. You all remember the discount store, right? It's that magical place where one can purchase a NASCAR-themed crock pot to amuse the blogging world or a one pound box of "Nearegular/Famous Maker" chocolates for a mere ninety-nine cents. I do love the discount store! Today's trip was mostly fueled by my being fed up with my yearly commitment to make curtains for my classroom and failing to follow through. After four years, it was time to accept that I have no desire to drag out the sewing machine to complete this task. I opted to shell out the ten bucks and buy a set at the discount store.

Now, the discount store certainly has it's share of over-stock and irregular items. But they do have a small selection of things that are "normal." Many of those things are to be found in the shoe department and, among them, are the aforementioned Crocs. Not wanting Crocs, I have never really been tempted by them. I'd rather go load up on discount, oddly shaped chocolate. But, I ask you: Just what is a Sheep to do when faced with purple Maryjanes???? I wasn't really aware of my need for purple Maryjanes...I don't recall a time when my life depended upon owning a pair. But, apparently I have been sorely lacking in the PMJ department because I was frozen in my poorly shod tracks by the mere sight of them. There was no getting around it. Styrofoam shoes for $29.99 or not, they were speaking to me.







And what they said was, "Take us home!!!!!"




Who knew? Shoes can talk and I really do like Crocs! I'll be marking this day on my calendar, that's for sure. Epiphanies don't just fall into your lap every day, you know.

With the temperatures being just a bit higher today and a certain mugginess to the air, it was apparent that it was a day to card wool. I have yet to schedule this activity on a crisp, cool day this summer. I am still fiddling with the Shetland lamb fleece and continuing to find it delightful. This is one of the fleeces that found its way from Cathy's house to mine and is yet another thing that should go into the "I didn't know I liked it, but I do" column. It is soft, silky and pleasing to the touch, contrary to my thoughts on the fiber up until this point. I waver constantly on what this is going to be. But, as the carding seems to be taking me something along the lines of "forever and a day," I don't think I really need to be all that worried about it at this juncture.





Too bad there isn't Touchy-Blogging. Then you could pet the Softy-Softy!



And thus ends the second-to-last day of The Sheep's summer vacation. New shoes, and a new yarn in the works; not such a bad way to spend the day, methinks. If you need me, just check the bandwagon...


I'll be the one in the purple Maryjanes.


SA

16 comments:

Emma said...

LOVE your shoes! I have three(!) pairs of the standard design--pale blue, bright pink, and seafoam green, but what I really want is some Mary Janes.

Anonymous said...

You'll be the coolest teacher if you wear your PMJ's to school. How do I know? All the kids who've come into our office have been wearing them, all summer long.

Anonymous said...

I definitely like the MaryJane version of Crocs better than the original version. And your purple version almost makes me want to hop on the wagon myself.

Kris said...

I love the maryjanes - they are just about enough for me to break down and buy a pair

Anonymous said...

You shoe harlot, you! Didn't you show us another pair of delightfully whimsical shoes a couple months back? I <3 your PMJ Crocs -- they put my seafoam green originals to shame!

Anonymous said...

I love the purple MJ Crocs. I live in Crocs. I think they are extremely comfortable. I'm on my feet all day at work and my feet never hurt when I wear them.

You are just too cool in those maryjanes.

Teri S. said...

I keep thinking about getting Crocs because they do look comfy. But somehow I just can't get around the idea of encasing my feet in plastic, even though Crocs have holes in them to let the air in. I'll stick with my Birkenstocks and hand-knit socks (although a pair of clear Crocs just might win me over).

The PMJs look lovely on your feet, though!

Lorraine said...

Gosh, my Crocs got commandeered by a daughter whose feet are almost as big as mine. And eventually ruined.

Guess it's time to get another pair. Then hide them from Dancing Diva!

Anonymous said...

Cool shoes! I live in clogs, so I've been tempted to try some Crocs. But I've wondered if they would make my 9.5 size feet look even bigger than they are. :)

Anonymous said...

Love the Crocs. I have 4 pairs of "knockoff" Crocs from Payless Shoes (only about $15). I may never wear real adult shoes again-so comfy. But I have no purple. I have Croc-envy.

Angie said...

I said just yesterday that I don't care for the clog-crocs, but I like the look of the MJ croc and now, I must join the Sheepie bandwagon, must have MJ crocs!

debsnm said...

Welcome to the dark side! I have 2 pair - one pink and one white. Love. Them.

Anonymous said...

Very cute shoes. The Mary Janes are my favorite. The kids will know just how cool you are. But to make the perfect impression, have you casted on matching purple socks??
Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

Sheila said...

I have 2 pairs of the maryjanes, purple and brown, and I love them. When they get dirty, you can throw them in the washing machine or the dishwasher. I haven't tried it, but all of my neighbors swear they do it. I wear them to the farmer's market, and the grass-fed meat and Amish cheese guy pours ice-cold water on my crock-wearing feet to cool me off. The other venders look on with lust....they'll be jumping on the bandwagon soon, I can tell.

mehitabel said...

Crocs rock! No, I don't own any; but my daughter with the size 11 feet has some bright lime green ones, and she loves them! I've been wanting a pair for watering the yard in, or slogging around in, but so far I haven't found any that fit right--skinny feet are harder to find shoes for anyway.
And the fiber looks soooo soft! That would be a soothing occupation indeedy!
I double-dare you to wear your PMJs to school one day!

Donna Lee said...

I am not a band wagon jumper-on-er and I have managed to avoid Crocs. They remind me too much of Jellies, the other plastic summer shoes that were a huge fad a few years ago. I don't do well with wearing shoes without socks. I only wear sandals and flip flops barefooted. For me,the funnies thing was seeing my brother wearing them. He's 40 yrs old and he and his two children all had them on, complete with charms.