Day 347

I bet everyone out there has something that they have a hard time resisting.  I know some women that love to deck their kids out in expensive smocked dresses and seersucker rompers.  For some, high-end educational toys are hard to resist.   Some folks love to “splurge” on books, electronics or sporting goods.  And, of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning clothes and shoes.

Wait, since we are on the subject of shoes. Can we just have a moment to discuss why the current trend in ladies heels aren’t just high in the heels, but in the TOES also?  Real people don’t seem to actually be able to walk in them.  I’m sure runway models make them look elegant.  But, anytime I’ve ever seen them out in actual use, the wearer always has this weird clip cloppy gait that thrusts their knees forward and gives them the appearance of a female Satyr.  If you missed that class in middle school mythology, that’s a half human, half goat.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not all flat and practical all of the time, but I do draw the line at the cloven hoof giantess look that those shoes offer.

 OK Sorry, Back on Track

During the course of this year, there have been things that have been easier than others to do without.  Personally, I don’t need goat shoes, cute purses and trendy jewelry.  I also don’t care if my kids are dressed in four different patterns that encompass the entire spectrum.  This is actually their preferred style, the orphaned gypsy look. I do miss some kitchen niceties, but I can manage without them.

My Weakness

Before The Simple Year, I had a favorite store called Title Nine.  Title Nine was originally a women’s sportswear mail order company.  In years past, I would get the catalog and thumb through it obsessively.  Everything is cute, comfortable and the models all look like people with whom I would like to be friends. (does that sound pathetic?)  Then a few years ago they opened an actual store in the town where we were living.  I am not going to specifically admit how often I went or how much money I spent there.  But, I will share that right before we were moving out of town,  I stopped in for one last shopping trip.  When I told the clerk we were moving, she actually said, “Oh no, you’re leaving?  How are we going to stay in business?”  She was kidding—I hope she was kidding, but you get the point.

Today, when I picked up the mail, there it was—The Title Nine Catalog.  Somehow, the company knew that I only have twenty days left in The Simple Year.   I couldn’t help it. I opened the catalog and started flipping through.  You know what?  The pages didn’t hold the same appeal as they used to.

I can’t explain it and perhaps it is temporary, but I willingly dropped the catalog in the recycling bin.

Picture of a Picture