Tuesday, September 4, 2012

IWSG : Staying On Your Toes

                                                                       



As the first anniversary of   Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group is approaching, I can't help but notice how our personal inadequacies fuel our writing. From a very young age we are taught to choose our words carefully. Emotions come into play, and often heated moments exploit our insecurities. As writers we can use these moments to either enrich our characters, or to help strengthen our own.

Recently, I ran into a man who designed our acrylic mailbox. He miraculously put all of the pieces back together for us when a vandal knocked it over. Then he did it all over again when a newly licensed family member accidentally backed into it at the end of our driveway.  He smiled when I told him that Humpty Dumpty's men wished they had him on their team. I hadn't seen him in awhile, and he told me that not only had I lost weight, but that I looked ten years younger. Of course it helped that we were at an outdoor evening event, where lighting was scarce, and alcohol was plentiful. Though I knew he was exaggerating, the compliment was greatly appreciated as I was very self conscious about the newly acquired scar on my nose from extensive sun damage.

When I relayed the story to my mother she said, "Oh that's happened to me before. People used to get me confused with this very heavy woman that I worked with. He probably thought you were someone else."

The next day I got together with an old friend from high school whom I hadn't seen in a few years. She looked exquisite as always, and I told her that she really never ages. She thanked me, and looked like she was hard pressed to say something positive about me. Then a few hours later she turned to me and said in complete seriousness, "Julie, you have really nice toes."

Hence, I decided to take a step in the right direction by scheduling a pedicure, and investing in a therapeutic foot cream. Because I already wear orthotics, it's only a matter of time before I inherit my maternal familial bunions, and  hammertoes, so I have to take full advantage of this gift. Naot and Birkenstock are the only sandals that I could comfortably walk in, thus it's unlikely that I'll start  parading around in sexy stilettos to show off my toe cleavage. As winter approaches, my greatest challenge will be in securing a pair of open toed snow boots.


34 comments:

  1. Very funny post. At least you have a beautiful sense of humour.

    mood
    Moody Writing

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  2. Move to England - we don't have snow! Well, usually. You can wear open-toed shoes and show off your beauteous digits all year round.

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  3. Your sense of humor always puts a smile on my dial. Thanks for the entertainment, Julie.

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  4. Open toed snowboots? Hey, flaunt it if you got it, sister!

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  5. I have a daughter, and many things are taken the way I didn't intend it. I bet your mom was actually thinking, "Of course you are beautiful!" and it just came out wrong. :)

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  6. My mom used to make fun of the way I walked. One day while walking barefoot to the mailbox over a dirt and gravel driveway an aunt was arriving via car. She told me, "you walk just like your mom." :)

    Good post!

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  7. Nice toes? That is funny!
    Take what that guy said about ten years younger to heart.

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  8. Great story. I needed the smile. Good luck with the open-toed boots ;)!

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  9. I will not resort to ROTFL or LOL, but that's exactly what I did and how I feel after reading your post!

    If you find those open toed snow boots, give me a call.

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    1. Just try not to hurt yourself! I'll make sure they're not alligator boots! Thanks Lee! Julie

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  10. Thanks Mooderino!

    Talli - Do you have room for me? My husband already booked my flight! Ha ha! Thanks Talli!

    Michelle - You always crack me up too! Thanks Michelle!

    L.G. - We do what we can! Try not to hate me! Thanks L.G.!

    Tonja - My mom laughed when I read it to her. I know she didn't mean anything by it, but it just struck me funny. Your daughter is lucky to have you. Thanks Tonja!

    Yolanda - What a great story! Did you ever tell your mom what she said? Thanks for following me, and I can't wait to get to know you better!

    Thanks Alex, and happy first anniversary!

    Isis - I might have to get chummy with the shoemaker, but it will be worth it! Thanks Isis!

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  11. Wonderful. I feel like I have nice feet, not just toes, so I flaunt them whenever I can. Really, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Behold yourself and your inner and outer beauty, Julie. What anyone else thinks of us is none of our business.

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  12. Amen to Sarah! She summed it up beautifully!

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  13. Sara - Keep on flaunting those lovely feet! Thanks for the wise words Sara!

    Anon - I couldn't agree more! Julie

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  14. Well, I envy you your beautiful feet! My feet are nicely shaped but I have so many issues, I can't show them off. They're too gross. As we age, we lose out outer beauty and rely more on what's inside. I think, in that regard, you have blown us all out of the water, Julie. You're funny and smart, two of the best traits on earth. Wish I were either or.

    BTW - I am now an empty nester!

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  15. Nancy - I am going to frame this to show to my kids who think that I am neither! You are a smart, funny, and beautiful woman on the brink of launching her first book! You have much to be proud of including your son going off to the college of his choice! Thanks so much Nancy, and I'm here if you need to vent about your empty nester status! Julie

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  16. Ho-leeee crap! I am laughing SO HARD... Julie, what a fantastic story. If you get those open toe snow boots, will you take a pic? ;)

    And new follower here... came by to say thanks for your kind comment today. You have a fabulous blog :D

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    1. If I ever do find those boots, I will take a pic! I really like your blog too, and I hope to see more of you! Thanks for everything Morgan! Julie

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  17. Hey, take pride in anything you can and show off that toe cleavage! lol

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  18. Here from Alex's blog. Enjoyed your post, especially since it kind of parallels what I wrote about. I may be wrong here, but I think you are too hard on yourself. Like I said on my post, sometimes we should just accept the compliments we receive instead of dissecting them. I have no doubt you look great after losing some weight. As a person who loves good food and wine,it is difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Anyone who drops a few pounds has achieved something incredible, IMHO. Take pride in that. Enjoy the moment. I like your blog. You now have a new follower.(:

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  19. The idea of open toed snow boots sounds exactly like something anyone could use. The response of the two different parties made me laugh. Thank you.

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  20. Really nice toes you say? I demand proof. Just kidding. What an odd compliment!

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  21. Lexa - Thanks for the great advice!

    Andrea - I just found the sequence of events to be funny, so I wrote about them. I also LOVE good food! Thanks for the kind words and now I know what IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) means! So glad to have met you Andrea!

    Yvonne - They are quite practical especially when it can get to be 10 below zero here! Although with global warming they can become the latest trend! Thanks Yvonne!

    Libby - You'll just have to trust me on this one Libby! It was an "odd" yet blogworthy compliment! Thanks Libby! Julie

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  22. wow--that's really cool about the toes--i use to get told i could be a foot model--i never thought that maybe they were searching for something to compliment me on haha :)

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  23. Hi, Julie! Cute post. Open toed snow boots just might me the next fashion craze. ; )

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  24. Oh Julie, with friends like that, well, I'm glad you can joke about it. I agree with Alex. When it comes to comments about appearance, believe what men (not women) say. Your friend was just jealous, I'm sure, of your toes and youthful beauty.

    xoRobyn

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  25. Lynn - I know that there are many things to compliment you on! I'm impressed that you could've been a foot model! You must have lovely little feet! Thanks Lynn!

    Susanne - Anything is possible! Thanks Susanne!

    Robyn - There was nothing mean-spirited about the way she said it. The sun happened to be shining down on them, and she couldn't help herself! All right maybe she was a teeny- weeny bit jealous of my toes, but that was all! Thanks for coming to my defense Robyn, though in this case it's not necessary. Speaking of "youthful beauty," I'm sure that you're even more adorable than ever! Julie

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  26. It's my policy to accept all compliments with a shaker full of salt, and to follow Thumper's philosophy of "If you can't say something nice, don't say nuthin at all." But the only thing that gal could come up with to compliment you about was your TOES? Come on, now that's funny! She must be something else. And not too bright if she didn't notice your bubbly personality, great smile, and witty sense of humor. Another great post, ma'am.

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  27. My Mum used to say things like that. It doesn't take much to knock us gels back, does it. I met an old friend the other day and I'm quite sure she didn't recognise me. She hasn't changed one bit. I, on the other hand, obviously have!

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  28. Susan - My friend also has a great sense of humor, and is extremely bright! She really didn't have to compliment me at all, but it's a silly expectation we have when we haven't seen someone in awhile. It really struck me funny, and I just thought that it fit in well with the IWSG theme. Thanks for all of your compliments, and you are one good looking grandma!

    Rosalind - Years ago I ran into an old classmate who had gone completely grey in her 30's. Of course I recognized her at once, and she had no idea who I was. Maybe your friend forgot to wear her glasses that day. You look darn good to me! Julie

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  29. You always make me laugh so much Julie. The nice toes was too much. This was a fun twist on the IWSG theme, great post. :)

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  30. I always enjoy reading your blog, as well as your interviews for Examiner! Thanks so much Julie!

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  31. Well, golly. All I would have to say: "Gee. Thanks, Mom."
    Thank goodness you have nice toes. As for me? Let's put it this way: I really should wear black socks with sandals.

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    1. It would make quite a fashion statement with your uniform! Thanks for cheering me up Al!

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