Project 52 Date Nights: All Work and No Play

Last week we didn't have time for an actual date. Friday we ran errands in Chattanooga. 

I ordered 11 pairs of tennis shoes from Zappos 

{yay for free shipping for delivery AND returns}.

One of our errands included going to UPS to ship back

the 10 pairs of shoes that didn't fit.

Saturday we hung peg board in the garage so that Daniel can finally finish unpacking all of his tools. And so that we can start using the garage to park in!

 Putting my carpentry skills to use.

Then Sunday we turned the power off for 5 hours {on our first snow day this winter} in order for Daniel to work on a project. Unfortunately the temp in the house dropped to 55 before we could turn the power back on. I read a book by candle light when Daniel didn't need my help. 

Daniel cutting one {of several} holes in the wall.

Even though, we didn't have a typical date, we did spend lots of time together.

If The Shoe Fits

{via}

And it finally does. After much searching, I have found a shoe for my wide little foot. I think that I have ordered and tried 8 different shoes from Zappos - all except the one that fits have been returned. I have also tried on countless pairs of shoes in shoe stores.

The first running shoe store was a disappointment with a young, college-age guy informing me that no one made shoes that would fit my abnormal foot.

After a round of pairs of shoes from Zappos - all of which didn't fit in various ways, I went into a New Balance store where a young, college-age girl was extremely helpful. I was very forthright in discussing my wide feet and she had me try on several pairs. She never once told me that I was the problem. She actually found me my perfect shoe, but unfortunately they did not have the right size in stock so I went home and ordered online from Zappos. I tried 2 different sizes of this shoe, just in case.

So the winner that fits my feet is the size 7, width: EE, New Balance model 882. It is wide in all of the right places, keeps my ankle secure and it is the softest shoe that New Balance makes. I wasn't really buying the "softest" aspect, but the shoe is incredibly soft. I don't even know how to describe it. Also, I am a pronator and the shoe will help adjust that for me.

I am soooo happy to have finally found the right shoe for my foot - it does exist!

Ongoing Shoe Saga

I have been looking for the right shoe for my foot and it really and truly may not exist. I have ordered 6 different shoes off of Zappos (which is a wonderful internet company that will ship them to you next day for free - you can also return the shipments for free as well).

Anyways, the first order was a size 7 EE (EE = extra wide) and a 7.5 EE in two different styles. One style, the 7 EE was way too long for my foot and the other style was long and slightly narrow, so back they went.

The second order I purchased 2 new styles - a 6.5 EE and a 6.5 EEEE (really, really wide). Well, the EEEE were way too wide and the 6.5 EE almost felt right but are just a hair too narrow AND they are too short. So I guess I need a 6.75 EEE which does not exist.

I am tired of having numb feet from my shoes being tied too tightly or feeling like my shoes are going to come flying off because I had to make the lacing so loose. I am really not sure what to do at this point. I suppose I will try a 7EE of the style that almost fit but was too short at a 6.5.

Buying shoes really should not be this difficult.

Apparently my feet are abnormal wide.

Actually this is not news to me. I generally struggle with finding shoes that fit. I have this oddity that I have really short, wide feet. I generally have to go to an 8 or 8.5 to get a wide-enough shoe. Technically I am a women's size 7, extra wide! :)

Thank goodness for Chacos. They are the only shoe that REALLY fit me. Anyways, I am in desperate need of some tennis shoes to work out in. I work out about 5 times a week and my tennis shoes are a pair that I had when I was in COLLEGE! That was 5 years ago and I am sure I had them long before I graduated.

Anyways, I went to a running store where they measure your feet and have you stand on a heat sensing pad to see your arches. I also had to be video taped running on a treadmill - not exactly the highlight of my day.

When I went to the store, I was very upfront in saying that my feet were wide and asking how wide their sizes came in. After going through all of the motions and having me try on several pairs of shoes, they finally agreed that they didn't have anything in the store for me (duh). So they decided to order a pair of "wides" for me to try out.

So today I received the call that the shoes were in. We went over so that I could try them out. Unfortunately the wides did not fit. The sales guy just looked at me and said that this was the widest the shoes came in. I asked about mens and he said they wouldn't be short enough. I asked about boy's and he just looked at me - I don't think they carried kids shoes. He also told me that this was the widest that they made women's sizes. I know for a fact that I have seen wider sizes online AND if someone didn't make shoes that fit me, I would have spent the last 26 years walking around barefoot!

Anyways, the experience was very disappointing and a huge waste of my time. I will probably resort to ordering a million "wide" shoes online from Zappos b/c they have free shipping. Trying them all on, seeing what fits and sending the rest back. Why does having to buy a shoe have to be so complicated?