Sunday, April 25, 2010

I know we've talked about the profound difference...

... between men and woman before.

But if you still think the main difference between sexes is the absence or addition of certain … Ummm … “body parts”… I challenge you to go shoe shopping together.

Go on… I double dog dare you.

Yesterday we had a little time to kill between Granddaughter #2's soccer game and Granddaughter #1's basketball game.

So I suggested we stop by Sports Chalet to get my husband some walking shoes.

When we got to the store, Mr. Jenny I start walking toward the shoe section and on the way I casually mention that I might need some new shoes, too.

"Didn't we just get you walking shoes," says Mr. Jenny.

"Yes, but I need sandals," I reply.

"Didn't we just get you those sandals with the big white flower and the sandals with kind of high heels and the sandals..." he continues.

"Yeeesss.... we did. But those are not sandals I can wear all day."

"Well what are they for then?" he asks.

"For sometimes when I want my feet to look a little more dressed up then everyday but they are not really comfortable enough to wear the whole day." I explain. Geez. Is he dense? Seriously.

"Then can't you wear your tennis shoes when you want your feet to be comfortable all day," he said to which I immediately replied in a whiny voice, "but then you can't see my pedicure and my feet get hot and and it's summer in Arizona and you are supposed to wear sandals here, d'oh."

So as we arrive at the shoe section he says, "fine, go find a pair of everyday sandals."

There might have been some sarcasm in his remark, but I just went off quickly before he changed his mind.

After all if someone is trying to manipulate with tone of voice and words they deserve what they get, right?

Well, unless it's me doing it and then I just deserve to be treated sweetly.

I'm certain that clause was in our marriage vows.

...

...

You know what?

I had a lot more interesting things happen this weekend and why I am writing this stupid shoe story is beyond me. But I'm committed to it now but I'll try to move it along, OK?

...


So while I am trying on sandals I see this cute pair of Keen's. They are the kind you can hike, boat, walk and run in. You can wade through rapids in them and then jump from high rocks without a break in stride.

I wanted them.

I tried them on.

They were sooooo comfortable.

I walked over to show Mr. Jenny!

He looked puzzled. "I thought you wanted sandals?" he said.

"I did...but, look...with these shoes I can hike, boat, walk and run AND wade through rapids then jump from high rocks without a break in stride."

"Ummmm.... OK," he said, "And how often do you do these things?"

"Weeelll," I replied, "I don't technichally do those things now but this way I will be ready if I ever do."

And he said, "weeeellll, then why don't you buy what you need and when you start wading through rapids more often we'll come back and get these shoes?"

And I said, "weeeeellll...no. I want these."

And then he said, "weeelll, but you can't see your pedicure in those and I thought that was of utmost importance."

Geez, again with the sarcasm.

So I showed him that you can so see a teeny, weeny bit of my pedicure through the sides of the Keen's. OK, technically I am sticking my toe out through the side and it's not all that comfortable but I wasn't exaggerating to Mr. Jenny. At all. And after I showed him my toe, he gave this huge sigh and said, "fine, get what you want."

So I did.

I got the Keen's and on the way out I saw a sale on some of those cool SIG water bottles so I let him buy me one of those too.

AND when we got to the basketball game our Daughter-in-laws Father noticed my shoes right away and said he loves them to hike, boat, walk and run in. He says he can wade through rapids in them and then jump from high rocks without a break in stride.

I told him I am going to use mine to do those things, too.

And Mr. Jenny took a picture of our cool shoes. Together. And only rolled his eyes twice. I love it when I triumph.

I love it when shoe shopping works out so well.

I love it when...

Hey...I just realized I still need a pair of everyday sandals.

I wonder if Mr. Jenny wants to take me shopping today...

Sigh...

post signature

56 comments:

Mari said...

I have the same pair of Keens and I love them. I got them last year when we were going to Colorado. They are perfect for hiking, jumping...and everything else!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Men really do not understand the need for cute shoes, cute sandals that are 'dressup', cute sandals for everyday and of course a pair you can hike, wade, run, jump and kill yourself in, wait delete that part, just say etc in!!! Love them by the way and I'll be looking for those comfy everyday sandals that show off your cute pedicure any day now!

jenn said...

i laughed out loud at the father-in-law's comments. good stuff.

but you have a pair of every day sandals, matlock. and they do everything...

Terra said...

I think this time you might want o leave Mr. Jenny at home! He just might not be able to hold himself back two days in a row. I want to see pictures of you hiking and biking and wading in the rapids and breaking into stride, because now that would be sweet!

T

Sue said...

Hey these look like mine!! You will love them!!
xo

Kat said...

I'm sure that clause is in your wedding vows. I made darn sure it was in mine :) I'm not much of a shoe gal - I leave that to our darling daughter Imelda. Oh, sorry, I meant Caitlin. But hey, shoes that enable you to walk, run, swim rapids, climb mountains? I need some of those. Lots easier than being a silly super hero! Kathy

Jojo said...

It's all in the analogies. If you said "you wouldn't use a miter saw when you need pliers would you?" The conversation would end. Come to think of it, if Home Depot had a shoe department, men would go shoe shopping more often. Love your new shoes!

Julie Harward said...

You two must be 2 peas in a pod the way you banter back and forth intellectually! I think you guys love it! Cute shoes..now leave him home this next time and get something that shows off those toe nails! LOL Come say hi :D

Ms. A said...

If there was a shoe that could MAKE me do all that, I'd buy them! If it takes initiative, on my part, they can stay in the store.

Jeanie said...

I think Jojo above hit the nail on the head...you just have to put it in a context they can understand. Fortunately for me, Doc was president of a chain of department stores and fully understands about women and shoes....or at least says he does. Your week end sounds a lot like mine, 3 soccer games yesterday and basketball today. We were looking at shoes for one of my granddaughters yesterday and they had some really cute Keen's, but since at 2 years old she is not (hopefully) jumping from too many high rocks we thought they were a little pricey...but she does do some hiking and lots of other jumping so I may have to reconsider.

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Oh this post just made me smile. Go and enjoy your hike, boat, walk, and run in shoes. Don't forget to wade through rapids and jump from high rocks without breaking your stride.

Don't forget to tell dear husband that this shoe lets you do all those things AND protects your pedicure. What a fabulous shoe!

Nancy C said...

I am completely in love with your shoes. Perhaps a bit envious. Off to the shoe store...

Brenda said...

I love that shoe. Does it come in wide sizes that fit flat short wide feet? I always make up for not being able to buy shoes with bags. Funny story. My hubs will not stay in a store that long. I buy his shoes and bring home to him. Lucky him I have not had to return to many of them or he would be barefoot.

Jo said...

yeah .... you totally need everyday sandles! All in favour ....

Tina said...

Congrats on the shoe coup! I envy your Keens...I covet your Keens. I want some. And everyday sandals, of course. Might I suggest that for everyday, you explore Chaco's? The show off your pedicure quite well AND you can do all that rapid stuff in them, too,

Jocelyn said...

I am so laughing my tail off!!! You are my twin sister...truly my TWIN!!! Joe and I go through this all of the time...I DID your Keens...now I want a pair...after all I need a pair to do all of the above mentioned!!! Yes you do need those everyday sandals.... I adore Birkenstocks and have way tooooo many pairs to count...and these are my everyday sandals...

The treadmill was Joe's big idea...but he goes around telling everyone he bought it for me...sure he did!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Cheryl said...

My husband is the shoe hound. My feet are hard to fit so when we go together, he for moral support, guess who leaves with 2 pair of shoes and who leaves empty-handed?

Busy Bee Suz said...

Men will never ever in their lifetime understand the shoe thing.
I am so happy you again had a shoe triumph. Maybe wait till next weekend for your 'every day' sandals.

grammy said...

You crack me up girlfriend
As for me...I will leave my hubby out of shoe shopping
or any shopping
it really is better on the marriage (o:

Google Mark Gungor
he has really funny talks about men and women
I especially like the one about men having a
NOTHING BOX
you know
those times we ask what they are thinking about and they say
NOTHING

Bossy Betty said...

Love those sandals! Of course you needed them and that pedicure looks fab!

Susan Anderson said...

I think Mr. Jenny and my husband could find some common ground to talk about.

Maybe even a whole country.

;)

Unknown said...

pretty nice pedi! i went ONCE with my husband to buy shoes...when i didn't buy the first pair i tried on, he got antsy....i learned my lesson early on!

"Alone again.... naturally!" said...

I just want to jump the rocks (at all) without breaking my stride....Or my neck....no matter what shoes I am wearing, lol. Jenny, you crack me up! Hope you get lots of "stride" out of your new shoes!! Cathy

Theresa said...

I took ONE suitcase full of shoes to the beach, no lie:) A girl has to have cute shoes. Love them dear Jenny! Have a blessed day friend!

Pondside said...

I love my Great Dane, but we don't do shoe shopping together - ever. He once voiced the question about black shoes - flat black shoes - flat black shoes with a strap/without a strap - shiny ones, soft leather ones - well, a girl might just need each of those sorts of shoes, mightn't she?

Catherine Holman said...

I love those sandals! I'm going to have to look for a pair.

Anything Fits A Naked Man said...

Ha! GREAT post, Jenny! You never cease to make me laugh!

LOVE the keenos! Soooo cute! (And I hear you can do LOTS of activities in them!!)

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

You girls and your shoes! Have fun bounding through the rapids and scrambling up rocks, like a little mountain goat.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Those do look like wonderful walking, jumping, climbing, wading and everything else shoes!! :-)
I need to look for some of those.
But I also have to admit that I am with MR. Jenny in thinking that most women have way too many pairs of shoes.

KCSherri said...

I SO understand this shoe thing. And my hubby doesn't. Men. I keep mine around to kill spiders.

Dee said...

Good tactics with the hubby...he sounds to easy.:) The shoes are nice and practical and way cool.

RACHELLE said...

I'M NOT WORTHY!

i never triumph. my hubby is cheap and awnery. i love him but he and i are both better off with him in the dark when it comes to me buying anything! :)

i like mister jenny

shell

gypsylemonade.blogspot.com

Annesphamily said...

I like these new shoes lots! Cute story, you always have great stories to tell! Hugs Anne

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

What a cute and funny story. Men just don't get it, do they?
I love the picture of all your cute footsies.

hugs
Sissie

myletterstoemily said...

poor mr. jenny! he never had a chance!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Love those shoes Jenny! Men just don't understand that we need shoes to match activities and outfits and holidasys and...just everything!
♥ Pat

A 2 Z said...

You are very courageous! Why? I cant even think of going shopping for shoes with my husband. We would be divorced within half an hour! I just take his Master Card and decide what I want when I want. When I get home I will show him what I found and I can see that he tries real hard at pretending he is interested. Poor guy. Yes, WE are different but as they say in French: Vive la différence!

Mary Lou said...

I don't see a problem here....
OK< so I have some of those shoes too and right now have a foot problem and they are the only ones I can walk around in..so tell Mr. Jenny that you might get a foot problem.
I have to get a pedicure before I go to the foot doctor..He likes that.

Cindy Lou said...

New to your blog but loved it!! I have flip flops like crazy and when I bought another pair I had to hear my hubbies thoughts and they were about like this, "You have 100 pair of those things and do you seriously think you need another pair?" and I said, "Yeah, I don't have any like these!!" So men just don't understand!! Enjoy your day and come over and give me a visit sometime. marinemomof1.blogspot.com
Blessings from Georgia!!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I'm sure that Mr. Jenny knows the refrain to that song...

"A happy wife, a happy life..."

The Source sings it all the time, except when he's humming it under his breath.....

I say,"prepare for the sandal shopping excursion"!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Morning jenny,
You are too funny!! Can't wait to see what adventures you try in those new shoes!! Have to say it should save you on pedicures....that could be a good buying point, you will only have to get one toe painted!! lol
Enjoy those new shoes and hope you find the perfect everyday sandals,
I have to say......that is not an easy task!! I am looking for some myself, so I know from experience.
Have a great week hon,
You put a smile on my face, especially with that one toe sticking out!!
Blessings, Nellie

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Those are some wild lookin' shoes! Plastic and all. Please address the issue of, how do you wear such, without little cotton socks???????

I am so dumpy looking but can not, not, not wear every day shoes without little Buster Brown all cotton socks. Can-not-stand-the-feel-of-no-socks-with-every-day-shoes.

Lucky you fashion-istas who can go sockless!!! Like all the coooool kids can.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

I always love your story, and this one is perfect for a Monday morning blues.

I have tagged you, but if you don't do this sort of thing, it's fine too.

Have a great day, see you in class Thursday..(O is hard, and my brain is at iddle..)

Anonymous said...

Haha, it's the exact opposite with Hubby and I. He's the shoe horse, I prefer bare feet!

Allie said...

Dearest cousin, I love your Keen's. I love my Keens. They are super great for white water rafting in West Virginia. And they are great for looking like high dollar sporty shoes because they are, however, the RUIN your PEDICURES and are hot as heck unless you are in the water and when you are in the beach they get soggy hot feeling with sand in them. Don't let Mr. Jenny read this note. I just had to tell you. And umm, I have two pair because I love them so much, but my favorite pair of sandals today are my Reef's, with the bottle opener in the bottom of my sole. We'll tal later about them. I have two pairs of these as well.

Emmy said...

Lol! This post is awesome!
And yes men just don't get it. My every day sandals that I have had for over a year just broke! I so need to go shopping.

Deb said...

cool shoes...I love shopping for sandals..my all time favorite...

Beth Zimmerman said...

Loved this post! :)

Lourie said...

Those are soooo cute! And they look comfy too. I have a horrible time finding shoes. I am 6 feet tall so I need and have big feet to balance myself. My size is 10W. There are usually 3 pairs of shoes to choose from. And two of them are nurses shoes and the other is something you wear because you don't want the nurses shoes. *sigh*

Amy said...

Hi.lar.ious! Men will never understand the need for shoes. Ever. And this is me entering the giveaway! :)

Anonymous said...

Okay I seriously just spit hot chocolate at the screen reading this story! My Dad sounds just like Mr. Jenny and when he would take my sister and I shopping it almost killed him ;-)

Mrs. M said...

Cute shoes - but I hope you find your sandals soon!! :)

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Now I need some of those shoes! Mr Dysfunctional is going to be mad at you!

Unknown said...

Too funny! You always make me laugh. : )

Unknown said...

he should just give in from the get go...save all those wasted words....

Tara said...

I am guessing next time you are going to be shoe shopping on your own!