Bandwagon and Puddle Jumping

It's raining and I'm exhausted. I think I'm turning into one of those curmudgeonly old ladies with bursitis that can "feel it in my bones" when the weather is going to turn. Seriously, this past week my knees, ankles, and feet have been KILLING ME! I get up in the morning and waddle with 'mincing' steps into the bathroom. By late afternoon I can barely stand, let alone walk further than from the living room to the kitchen. I've been popping Motrin 3x a day and taking hot baths before bed so I can sleep. I've all but given up my daily walks with my girlfriends and our dogs at the dog park. I can't keep up and I'm immobilized for the rest of the day if I try. I don't know what is going on with me.

Today to try to combat and forestall the inevitable pain I resorted to the unimaginable, I'm wearing Crocs. Just shoot me now.

These are damn ugly, the only reason I have a pair is that GothGirl wanted some last summer for some unknown reason and we wear the same size. Even she came to her senses and realized just how hideously ugly these damn things are within a week of buying them. They do make great pool shoes and because it is raining today far surpass anything cute in my shoe wardrobe for puddle splashing.

I also hate wearing shoes inside. A couple years ago when the Flylady was all the rage in the SAHM circles and everyone was shining their sinks and all that crap, my sisters jumped on that bandwagon too. At Christmas they were talking about how she preached that you should always wear your shoes inside so you were prepared at a moment's notice to run out the door if need be. I thought at the time (and still do) that was stupid. I just keep a pair of slip-on shoes, flip-flops, etc. next to every door in my house and if I need to step outside I slip them on and I'm good to go. Plus if I come in from outside I take my shoes off at the door to keep from tracking snow/rain/mud/leaves/dog shit across the floor. I live in the Chicago area, 6 months out of the year I need to put on a coat to go outside most of the time anyway. Am I supposed to walk around my house in a parka to save myself time in case I need to make a mad dash to the mailbox?

Was I trying to make a point about wearing shoes indoors? I'm so easily distracted by that soapbox I carry with me everywhere I go...Oh yeah, shoes inside. Today I may have to change my mind. I'm currently wearing freaking CROCs INSIDE MY HOUSE! And my knees feel so much better already.


**sidenote** The category "Life on Shiney Island" comes from my disdain for all things Flylady. If nothing else at Chez Mess, our kitchen island is always shined (always may be stretching it). Mr. Mess loves his shiney island and we do our damndest to give it to him. The sink however will most likely be full of coffee grounds and dirty washclothes because he doesn't know how to rinse and hang to dry and dumps his stinky grounds all over everything. Not that I'm complaining or anything. If I were in charge of the world it would be Life on Shiney Floors but I've given up that fight. Mr. Dyson and I continue our illicit affair but I kicked Mr. Swiffer to the curb and Mr. Bona and I only get together once every week or two for a long leisurely afternoon of buffing and shining.

Too counteract my curmudgeonliness I'm stealilng another meme idea. This time from Jen-La

Random Things I Like

Smell of damp earth
Brushing my daughters' hair
Walking at night in the snow
Skinny dipping in the dark alone
Hearing my children laughing together
Smell of horse sweat
Cats sleeping with thier heads all twisted around funny and their paws over their faces
When my dogs get into bed with me to snuggle
Getting a REAL email or letter from a friend, not a meme or a forward or an invitation to a home-sales party
Watching tv with my daughters and talking about what we're watching
Farms and barns
Sound of the wind in the trees
Waves crashing on a beach
Sleeping with the windows open when it rains
Crisp sheets
Ketel One Vodka
Grapefruit Izze
Dove Chocolate
English toffee
Lemon meringue pie
Carne Asada Burrito Suizo
Guitar music
Organized cabinets and drawers
Shiny floors :D