I am having shoe problems again. I love cute shoes but cannot wear high heel shoes. Ladies understand needing dozens of shoes. Men have two pairs and think that is enough. I got rid of anything with a heel, even a low heel. I hated parting with my shoes, but if you can’t wear them, why keep them?

Somehow, I can’t quit buying shoes. It’s like an addiction. I decided to buy some new shoes that were both comfortable and fashionable. Unfortunately, there is no such shoe. You can have one or the other but not both.

Last week I went shopping at the discount mall. As usual, I ended up in a shoe store. What is it with shoes? I convinced myself that I needed a new pair of black shoes for winter although it is almost over. There is always an excuse to shop for shoes.

Of course, what the stores had at this time of the year was not winter shoes, but sandals. I love sandals. All the good winter shoes are gone. What is left on the shelf is a size 9 or a size 4. I’m the world’s most common size — 7.

After trying three stores, I decided they didn’t make shoes in a size 7 any more. The lady at the cash register said they get four pairs of 7 for every style they have. But, four people must be standing in line to scoop them up.

So, I bought a cute pair of gold sandals instead. I needed a pair of gold sandals last summer and didn’t have any. So, here they are now that’s it’s too late. But who knows when I might need them again? And then since I couldn’t find the shoes I liked in black, I bought them in navy instead. That’s two pairs, but who’s counting?

Honey was ready to go home. “Put these shoes in the car. I think there is another shoe store that I didn’t check yet. They may have black.” He headed in one direction and I went the other. I rounded the corner and there it was — a NEW shoe store, only open for three days.

My heart was pounding. I LOVE their shoes! They are casual but dressy, comfortable but cute. And they came in BLACK — black 7. My debit card vibrated in my pocket, or was that my phone?

“Where are you?” honey asked.

“Come quick, I’m buying out the store.”

Have you seen these shoes? They are gym shoes, sort-of. But they are gym shoes gone fashionable. They feel like gym shoes, but they look like real shoes. It’s hard to explain.

I managed to stop looking after selecting only two pairs. Then honey showed up. He started looking at the men’s styles. As long as he was looking, I might as well look some more too. And when you look, you find. Next thing you know, I found a stylish brown pair.

They are really different, really cute, and really, really feel good. They won’t work for dressy occasions, but who dresses up these days anyhow?

Now I have to find a place in the closet to put them. I might have to get rid of some more of my older ones to make room. But who could pass up shoes this cute?

I’ve been thinking, maybe I will go back next weekend. After giving more of my old shoes away, I have more space in the closet now. And I really need a pair of black shoes for winter.

Copyright 2011 Sheila Moss