Eat the Cookie ... Buy the Shoes

See the pair of shoes on the left? Those little brown patent leather shoes were our daughter's all time favorites. She saw them in a department store, and wanted them. They were rather expensive so we decided not to buy them. When we got in the car to start home, she started crying. She really really wanted those little brown shoes. She was never one to "throw a fit" to get what she wanted, and we knew how important those shoes were to her, so we went back in the store and bought them. We have been so glad ever since that we did. She has never forgotten it and every so often she will bring up the subject of how much she loved those shoes. You may or may not be curious about the other three pair of shoes. The ones next to her belonged to her brother and the other two were cousins.

So why in the world am I writing about these shoes? It reminds me of another "shoe" story. Our daughter was in a shoe store in Scottsdale a few years ago trying on shoes and said she heard a gravely sounding voice over in the next aisle. She thought to herself, "That voice sounds familiar." The voice said she was looking for a pair of brown shoes. Out of curiosity, Carol went over where she was, and the voice belonged to Joyce Meyer. Yes, "the" Joyce Meyer. This leads me into talking about the title of this post. Joyce Meyer has written a book by this title. As many of you know, my husband reviews books on his blog. I have also reviewed a few but do not do it all the time like he does. When he saw the publisher was offering this book for review, he asked me if I would like to review it. Since I love cookies and I am definitely a shoe person, I decided sure - why not?

The book arrived a couple of days ago, and I have just started reading it. When I finish it, I will be doing a review of the book and giving away five copies. So, be looking for that review, and if you would like to receive one of those free books, you can let me know then. Now I think I will go read a few pages.

FLOUR SACKS

by Colleen B. Hubert

IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED,
WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,
WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS,
AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK,
A VERSITILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.

PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO
STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.

THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT;
THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.
THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK
THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK..

THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN,
FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN.
IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.
IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.

BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN
AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED.
IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS.
AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS
SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,
FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!

AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE,
TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE,
AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK,
TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE,
AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,
WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!

AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT,
THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT,
TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED.
THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK
THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!

WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE,
SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE,
WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST,
MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST)
AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!

SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU

AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO,
"BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE
AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO?"

TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK, 

"GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!"

Yes, all of these girls' dresses were

made from flour sacks...

I couldn't resist sharing this email I received from a friend. I wore flour sack dresses when I was a little girl in the 30s. These kids were a little (just a little) before my time. lol

New Sandals

I’ve mentioned in previous posts my love for shoes. Summer is coming on, and I really “needed” a pair of comfortable walking sandals. I had a pair that I loved and were truly comfortable – wore them almost every day for several summers – almost totally wore them out. I have bought several pairs of sandals in recent years only to find that after I wear them a little while they are totally uncomfortable. I think they would be comfortable on someone else, but my feet are kind of narrow and they didn’t fit me as well as they should.

So, last week, after looking at one of the big stores that have rows and rows and rows and rows of shoes that you try on yourself, I went to Dillards. That’s where I bought the last pair of sandals that I liked so well. Well, I ended up buying these sandals. I can’t believe I paid as much for them as I did. I paid more for these shoes than any I have ever bought. But, they are totally adjustable and fit my narrow feet. I won’t tell you how much I paid. I told my daughter the day after I bought them. She dropped by the house for a few minutes and I showed her my new shoes. When I told her how much they cost, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. I wouldn’t want that to happen to you, so I won’t tell you. I think they will be worth it in the long run. I expect them to last for many years. Now, I’m going to get rid of all those sandals that are uncomfortable.