It’s been a while since I posted about shoes. It’s not that there haven’t been shoe-nanigans a foot (Ha! Mom would have loved that one Juj). It’s just that I’ve been a bit preoccupied with myself lately.
Generally, you can judge my mood based on my choice of shoes. Hightops? I was willing to commit to the extra effort needed to get my non-bending foot in the shoe. Not an easy task. It also means Aaron has not stolen all of my socks. Low top Converse or my Vans – I recognize the need for shoes but I just can’t totally commit right now. Flip flops? I HAVE to wear something… No shoes? That can best be described as I have no intention of getting out of the car.
Lately it’s been flip flops or nothing. Basically, if I have to put on shoes, the answer is no.
The pile of shoes on my porch has grown. 
Aaron was asked to clean his room and he did. Only problem is he bagged up everything as “trash”. Fearing the worst, I went through every bag before they were disposed of. I came away with MULTIPLE pairs of perfectly good shoes (including several pairs that were basically new). For some reason, they are all still on the porch. I probably should do something about that. Tomorrow.
The singles are still there as well, including a few additions. 
On a recent trip to the Converse store I discovered that they take old shoes and grind them up to make playground surface material. How cool is that? Have I taken them down to add them to to the collection box? Nope. But I saved this picture on my phone to remind me.
Because the pile of shoes that I literally walk past multiple times every day isn’t a big enough reminder?
For as long as I can remember we’ve had a basket at the front door to collect shoes. We’re just not a big shoe wearing family and generally the first thing we do is SHOES OFF. After years of being annoyed with the overflowing basket of shoes (mostly mine – not going to lie), Eric bought this monstrosity. 
I FREAKING HATE IT! Don’t get me wrong, he meant well but… If I could figure out another solution I would. I swear, as soon as these boys move out, this thing is going, too! And notice, most of the shoes are near it, not on it. Also notice – there is at least one lone shoe there. That would be Aaron.
And, to top it off, the basket is still at the front door. Actually, the shoes have begun to migrate over. Apparently, they’re not a fan of the rack either.
Yesterday, Aaron showed up at my office during the break from his dance class looking for food and water. “Mom, will you drive me back up to my class?” No… wait, where are your shoes? He left them in class and walked across campus barefoot. 90 degrees plus outside. Asphalt the whole way. Dumbass. Why does he keep doing this????
While we’re talking about Aaron, he got a new job and he’s already planned out what he’s buying with his first check. Shoes (high heeled drag shoes, but still, shoes.) The boy who can’t remember to wear shoes is spending his entire net worth on shoes. It would be like me opting for raisin cookies. Insanity.
There’s currently a pair of blue seude-ish high heeled boots on my pool deck. Isn’t that where you keep yours?
It’s not just Aaron though. Anthony’s taking ceramics over the summer. Yesterday – “Damn it, I forgot closed toed shoes.” Today, I specifically asked him if he had his shoes before we left. “YESSSSSS.” Complete with eyeroll. I even suggested to him that he keep a pair of Aaron’s porch shoes in the car on the off chance he forgot again. Narrator: indeed he did not have his shoes nor did he put the extras in the car. As Juli says, “This is me not caring.”
Last week, WWIII broke out over… shoes. Anthony is convinced that Aaron is stealing the insoles from his work shoes. Aaron witnessed the dogs eating said insoles (he didn’t stop them but that’s another issue). We’ve all witnessed the dogs eating insoles and shoes and socks… I found one of the insoles in the backyard with a guilty looking dog nearby AND the shoes in question were literally chewed on. Apparently, the dogs like shoes WAY more than the rest of us. Did any of this abate the fight? Nope.
A week later, I am sure he’s still harboring resentment over Shoegate 2018. Likely because the outcome of his fight with Aaron was a side battle with me that ended in him walking the 2.5 miles to work when I pulled my car over with an ultimatum to let it drop. Walked to work no big deal. With no insoles? You’d think after 19 years he’d know that when I say, “Don’t make me pull this car over”, you should take that shit seriously. I would have even stopped at the store and bought him replacement insoles if he wasn’t being such an ass.
For the record, if Anthony had used Eric’s damn shoe closet, the dogs likely would not have eaten the insoles/shoes. I’m not saying it’s not needed. I’m just saying it’s an eyesore and I hate it.
So friends, I’ve already kicked off my flip flops for the night. And no, they’re not on the rack. They’re actually in a whole other pile nowhere near the front door. Yeah, I have issues.
Sparkling Llama 