I like shoes. Not in an obsessive, hoarding way (that’s purses, so keep ‘em straight). I just appreciate a good, pretty, comfortable pair of shoes. So much that I usually wear them until they are falling apart and I end up wishing I had bought two.

FACT: My favorite pair of tennis shoes (that I still own and wear regularly) was purchased when I was in 10th grade. Yes, that means they are 10 years old.

Even though I love shoes, I often make bad shoe choices. Like my bad food choices. I pick out things that look good and I end up paying for it a few hours later.

About a month ago, I spent a day shopping with my mom. I don’t even remember the shoes I wore that day, but I do know one thing — they hurt. My feet were screaming by the time we made it to our 4th stop, which just happened to be TJ Maxx. After I had wandered through every aisle of their housewares section, answered phone calls from my mom (who was in the dressing room), and become bored beyond all reason (I hate shopping in stores unless I am looking for something specific — but YES, I am a woman), I found myself in the shoes. And before I knew what happened, I had a shoebox in my hand a new sandal on my foot.

And it was glorious.

It felt like a massage and walking on air all at once.

And the best part? FIFTEEN DOLLARS.

Sold!

The only thing is, I don’t know what my shoe is. I mean, I don’t know its name. It’s a Columbia sandal, but I’m pretty sure they don’t make it anymore and there’s not one in their current line that’s exactly like it.

It looks like a cross between the Gretta™ II and the Kambi™. The body of Gretta II (without the icky flowers) with the little between the toe strap of the Kambi.

Flowers? Yuck.

Toe strap. Keeps my foot from sliding all the way through and the inevitable tripping scene that would follow (trust me).

So I don’t know what I’m wearing, but I love it. It’s all that I wear now. With shorts, with jeans, with skirts, and you can just almost get away with dressing it up…but it’s tricky. And I will wear it until all the support is gone for my one foot that still has an arch. (Long story. I’ll share sometime. Suffice to say I have got a whacked out right foot with a fallen arch, that is also 1 inch longer than my left.)

Columbia doesn’t know me. I mean nothing to them. And that kinda hurts, but I’m okay. Alls I know is that they make warm jackets that have kept me safe and cozy whenever I left mine at home over a spring break trip to New Mexico and ended up snowed in under 3 feet of snow. So, yes, Columbia, I kinda owe you my life.

A few weeks ago my husband and I joined a walking challenge sponsored by our local hospital that pits us against some of the most fabulous speed walkers you have ever met. You know who I’m talking about. Stylish sweat suits, visors, jewelry, a freshly made face…yes, those ladies. One group we’re competing against (closely; we’re in the same organization) is averaging over 20,000 steps per day and they are militant. A couple of them tried to draft me into their group, but I knew better. If I had joined they would have already drawn and quartered me by now because I’m doing good to meet our team’s goal of 10,000 steps per day.

It’s a great challenge. One that, literally, anyone can participate in (they even offer wheelchair pedometers for those who need them) and it’s served to motivate me and Kevin. Both of us think that by the time it’s done we will have developed a healthy habit of walking around the neighborhood. And just a 30-minute walk each day has shown to reduce risks of a number of health issues. You can never start too early.

There was only one thing that stood between me and the challenge when we first started. I had dealt with it in the past and had never really been able to overcome this obstacle.

What daunting thing stood in front of me? Well…finding the right pedometer.

If your experience has been anything like mine, finding one was no easy task. I have tried out a number of them and I know what my dilemma is. I refuse to pay over $20 for one. I know, I know. How can I expect to get a quality piece of plastic, pendulumy craftsmanship if I’m not going to shell out the dough? Well, as a college student I chose to spend my money on other things, like antique books on eBay (the purchase of which garnered a letter from the FBI inviting me to join the witness protection program…wait, I need to tell you that story, don’t I?), Rusty’s Frozen Custard, and kitchen gadgets from IKEA with names that I am incapable of doing the tongue gymnastics that are required for pronunciation.

This time I headed to our local Academy to peruse what they had to offer. Again, my goal is middle-of-the-road, not over $20, and quality. I made it out of the store with this:

It is the Sportline 340, Step and Distance pedometer. At $17.99 it comes in just under my spending limit. After setting my stride length (exactly 24 inches for those that may be curious; I’m a short-legged little thing) I was off and racking up the steps.

This is the best pedometer I have ever owned. I check it for accuracy a few times per day and so far it hasn’t failed. The battery is still alive (I’ve heard of different pedometers needing to be changed regularly) and the best thing of all? It’s durable. I have dropped this thing countless times. It’s what I do. If you are making a product that I am going to hold in my hands it needs to be able to withstand being dropped on concrete. Seriously, it happens a few times every day. The front cover has popped off a couple of times when I dropped it, but I pop it right back on and go on my merry way.

Thank you, Sportline, for making a pedometer that meets all my needs, doesn’t count a walk across the room as 100 steps, and seems to be strong enough to endure whatever I throw at it. Next time I may even upgrade to the 955 Women’s Pedometer Watch. You heard me right, I might actually spend over $20. I’m sold.

I don’t know Sportline. Sportline doesn’t know me. But I love this pedometer and want the world to know!

If you’re my friend on Facebook, you probably saw the status update I posted last night. If you didn’t, well, add me. I’m easy to find.

A lot of people responded. Most agreed with me. The whole thing was about spelling. Spelling mistakes really annoy me. Now, you’ll have to forgive me whenever I make them because mine are usually things like…I’ll be thinking this (just an example) — “People perceived the reception to be…” and instead I will type “People perception to be…”

See? Valid. My brain is just going going going and I forget to stop and spell. People should understand my mental shorthand, right? Right.

The whole discussion reminded me of something I look at every day. It’s on my refrigerator and I took some photos about 2 years ago, intending to blog about them. Well, here you go.

It’s perfect. I would almost wear it as a badge. Maybe I should. I bought these magnets on Etsy at Nifty Stuff Made by Voz a few years back and I would highly recommend his/her/their? work. Brilliant stuff. There are a number of different magnets and stampers to fit whatever your superiority complex.

Would you rather just share a few truths about yourself? Voz has you all taken care of.

Or…maybe you’re looking for your favorite animal. That’s how I found Voz’s shop in the first place.

It’s a guinea pig!

That’s not all though. I also bought a magnet featuring one of my other favorite animals. I’ve talked about it before.

It’s kind of like a really large guinea pig, but it’s not. It’s a Capybara. And, much like the strange flavors of Sriracha that are only available in Thailand and illegal to import here, it’s just another thing I’m going to have to smuggle into the country. Apparently they have a heinous deer tick problem. Sounds like they’d love Oklahoma.

Umm…so this turned into a magnet advertisement. Sorry about that. I’ve always been one to go around my elbow to get to my thumb. I wasn’t paid. I don’t even know this person. But I love their work!

(If you’re viewing this on a feed reader, you’ll probably want to click through. Apparently not all deals are showing up on readers.)

I made a decision this year. Today, Black Friday, I am not leaving my house. Partly because the party I was going to shop with is only going around here in Norman (I was going to hitch a ride to Penn Square in OKC) and partly because I got this great idea last night.

Let’s see how much Christmas shopping I can get done online. There are places all over the web posting fantastic Black Friday deals, many with free shipping. And don’t forget, we’re still at a point where you can take advantage of Amazon’s Super Saver shipping and still get your items in time for Christmas.

So for the rest of the day I’ll be updating this post with Black Friday deals I find. Keep checking back!

1. The best place of all for your online Black Friday shopping, Amazon.com

2. Philosophy is offering a one-time-only Coconut Duo online for $10! Regular price is $24. Grab one while supplies last! Their deals today also include free shipping on ALL orders when you use promo code holidays, plus 40% off select items.

3. Klean Kanteen is offering 10% off their Classic line November 27-30. This is a great gift that you can share with all family members, from those using sippy cups to all the sporty or BPA-conscious adults (they have a number of different caps available depending on your needs). Plus FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75.

4. Yankee Candle, one of my absolute favorites, offers $5 flat-rate shipping on all orders under $100. If you know how heavy their candles are, you know what a good deal that is. And their prices this weekend make it easy to end up with a total WELL below $100. Their holiday scents are Buy 2, Get 1 Free! This weekend only.

5. Target has an extensive list of toys under $25.

6. Buy from Toys’R'Us using PayPal and receive $10 off a $50 purchase whenever you use the promo code PPBLACK.

7. Today only! Photo Works has marked everything down 20% and you can get free shipping! Enter coupon code EARLYBIRD at checkout.