Workin' Wednesday-It's The Effort That Counts...

My years of selling shoes were filled with great times and funny stories.  Whenever the holiday shopping season rolls around I can't help recalling one particular customers effort to buy his wife a pair of Haflinger slippers.  One could tell immmediately that this gentleman was not in the habit of shopping by his look of uncertainty as he entered the shoe store so cautiously.  His expression was a mix of please help me but don't "sell" me anxiousness.  I approached with tenderness and asked gently if there was something particular he was shopping for.  He blurted out..."I want to buy my wife a pair of them Haffle-dingers...do you have those here....she said you would." He looked a bit relieved to hear that I knew what he was talking about and I didn't have the heart to correct his pronunciation.  He wasn't the first guy to call them Haffle-dingers.

I asked him what size I should bring out.

He looked stunned.

Size?

It clearly had not crossed his mind that he might need to know what size he should buy.  Suddenly he smiled and with a flat hand gesture under his chin he exclaimed "She's 'bout yea tall".  While there is a loose correlation between height and foot size I couldn't make him the hero he wanted to be by guessing what her shoe size was based on her being about "yea tall".  I suggested that if possible he should return home and get a pair of shoes from her closet and bring them in to help determine what size to purchase. He thought that was a great plan and returned shortly with the shoes and a thrilling story of how he snuck the shoes out of her closet while she was napping.

I brought a selection of colors we had in her size and again he was stumped.  "They come in more than one color?!" he exclaimed as if there was some conspiracy against him making a simple purchase.  He asked me to choose the color and ring him up quick-like since he had to get her shoes back in her closet before she woke up. I turned the shopping bag inside out so if she happened to be awake upon his return, she wouldn't know where he'd been.  He thanked me and wished me happy holidays.

While this sounds like a shopping fiasco I can't help but love the gesture.  It is not in the gift but in the giving that we see love and I hope he told her about his heroic efforts as she slipped her feet into those warm cozy Haffle-dingers(Haflingers).

love and giving,

abigail dagmar

Ask Abigail-Reader's SuperFeet Question

Workin Wednesday 

WK asks Abigail: When should I replace my SuperFeet ("blue")?

Depending on how often you wear your SuperFeet you ought to be replacing them about every six months to a year. If you think you might need to replace them I suggest wearing them down to your local SuperFeet retailer, slipping in a new SuperFeet insole in one shoe and compare how it feels your old one in your other shoe.  If you can not feel any significant difference there is no need to replace them. 

The good news is that SuperFeet hold their shape very well over time.  I get a new pair of SuperFeet every year for the shoes I wear most and move my older SuperFeet to shoes I wear less often reducing the need to move my SuperFeet from shoe to shoe and wondering which shoes I had them in last. :)

I noticed that you (WK) mentioned that you have been told you have "low volume" feet (I do too) and wanted to suggest trying the "orange" or "berry" SuperFeet if you haven't already.  They are slightly more cushioned at the forefoot than the other insoles in the SuperFeet line up... thus taking up the slack of volume in your shoes for a better overall fit.

Thank you for your insole-full question WK and agreeing to share the discussion with our I-sole readers.

Click the 'ol Ask Abigail button any time your feet question their sole situtation.  

I love hearing from all of you!

foot hugs, abigail dagmar

Workin' Wednesday-Songs With Sole

I admit that I enjoy all things "shoes" and these are my favorite songs with sole.  I listen to them over and over again the way I wear a favorite pair of shoes over and over again.  Have a listen to my favorite...it is bound to bring on a smile and cause a happy case of twinkle toes.

In These Shoes—Kristy McCall

Goody Two Shoes—Adam Ant

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes—Paul Simon

Boogie Shoes—KC and the Sunshine Band

Sand In My Shoes—Dido

These Boots Were Made For Walkin—Nancy Sinatra

Blue Suede Shoes—Elvis Presley

New Shoes—Paolo Nutini

 love and toe tappin',

abigail dagmar

Workin' Wednesday-Metarasals and the Rocker Bottoms

Got grief where your foot flexes? Learn about metatarsal support and rocker bottom soles... perhaps you'll find some relief.

Workin' Wednesday-Photo Shoot

I love writing about shoes and also appreciate the old addage "a picture is worth a thousand words" so photo "shoets" are essential.  It is fun to be creative with locations and wardrobe but it does mean hauling around a suitcase, changing in public and raised eyebrows...but who can resist a gorgeous marble staircase...not I...nor my photographer...so...back to work:)!