It Was A Formal Affair ...

Worn by Jaime on February 17th, 2012

Well, this is me in a dress. Oh dear! I don't wear dresses ... skirts ... or shorts. Every once in a while we'll have something work related and I'm forced to dust off a dress (or in this case buy a new one because even though my kiddo is 4 years old I STILL don't fit into my pre-prego clothes). Sigh. Anyway ...

We attended a formal military awards banquet for my hubby ... he was an annual award for winner for his unit and was competing at the next level. I used to absolutely love formal military events when I was in ROTC and as a young Lieutenant and Captain in the USAF ... but for whatever reason we stopped going. When you live the military life sometimes that last thing you want to do is spend a Saturday evening in uniform ... I had a choice of dressing as a "spouse" or dressing in my uniform since I'm a reservist now. I opted to wear a dress and bring Rachel along ... for old times sake! You see ...

When I was in college and eating, sleeping, and breathing ROTC ... Rachel came to visit! I brought her to our formal Dining Out ... she was 13 and it was really a fun experience. She wore a beautiful red dress and even danced with a "college guy". I think we both remember it as a great night, I remember how nervous and excited she was to be a teenager at a college function ... awesome! So, for old times sakes Rachel ... I brought you along!

... and, it wouldn't be a journey in our shoes unless something comical happened. So there we were (Al and I), they just formally announced us and we started walking under an archway of swords that were held my the Honor Guard ... all 100+ guests watching as you make your way into the banquet room ... and then .... my heel slips out my shoe! For real people! So with the all the grace I could muster, I walked the rest of the way with a little step ... slide ... step ... slide ... step ... slide. I actually don't think anyone noticed, I'll chalk it up to a great performance. :)

So there we have it ... a formal night out in My Sister's Shoes!

I really thought I was smiling when the hubby took this pic.

Apparently I'm to the age where my mouth sags. Ha!

Our shoes with our new matching Miche Purse!

For Christmas, Rachel and I bought a matching Miche Shell for our sister Jessica! Now all three of us can carry the same Miche ... despite being scattered all over the globe! There is something comforting about slipping on "our" shell and knowing that thousands of miles away your sisters may be carrying it today too.

Norway

Worn by Jaime on July 22 - July 29, 2011

Rachel, this is by far one of the most spectacular journeys I've taken you on .... Norway was simply breathtaking. I carried you with me in my camera bag as our outdoor excursions weren't exactly "heel" friendly. :o) We stayed in Flam, a village nestled in the Aurlandsfjord and based our day trips and hikes out of there ...

Our first adventure was a boat cruise up the Naeroyfjord to Gudvangen ... it was stunning.

We visited the Hopperstad Stave Church which was built in the early 1100's. Stave Churches are Norway's oldest surviving churches ... I thought you'd really appreciate this little part of our trip. If I remember correctly, there are only 28 Stave Churches remaining! One interesting fact ... they used to bury the deceased under the floorboards!

On a side note ... the little girl in the pink rain jacket kept running around the church and EVERY single time I tried to take a picture, she ended up in the background. :o)

We took a long and really muddy hike up to a waterfall!


We drove the "snow road" and stopped to take a photo ... yes, this WAS July and there was snow. I just about busted my butt trying to get this picture. :o) I actually attempted to climb the snowbank in our heels ... yeah, that wasn't happening.

Our final excursion was a hike to Jostedalen Glacier ...

Isn't it gorgeous!

... and here is a "behind-the-scenes" look at me switching out our shoes. :o)

My Sister's Shoes on Facebook!

We started a Facebook page for My Sister's Shoes! We'd love for you visit and get to know us better! Our Facebook page will help fill in the gaps between posts!

Rachel just posted our first My Sister's Shoes video on our Facebook page! It's a little behind-the -scenes look at how we package and ship our shoes. Enjoy!

All Work, No......Well, A Little Play!

Worn by Rachel on Thursday June 23, 2011

A move to Tampa, FL, an audition at Disney World to work as characters, and navigation on I-4 while under construction would have all seemed a bit too much of a challenge with out you Jaime. You facilitated my transition from random  part time jobs to the professional world of working as Disney characters where clocking in 2 minutes early  (this is not a typo) would penalize me. Disney had some bizarre rules to abide by, clocking in just 1 minute too early was a no, no! Jaime and I had the opportunity of working side by side as Chip and Dale and other popular Disney characters one summer way back when. What a blast we had! So, when I told Jaime of my reprimand for clocking in too early, she marched off  in a fury to talk to the boss and stick up for her little sister. I remember yelling "wait!" as she scurried off with the news. Dodging discombobulated heads, bodies, furry feet and racks of princess dresses I thought to myself, "Wait! Could you tell him I don't want to see the furry monkey Turk on my schedule anymore too!?......"  (Turk is a popular Disney character from Tarzan.) We walked away shaking our heads at such nonsense and made our way  down the underground tunnel at the Magic Kingdom, holding our nose because of the smell coming from the bog of eternal stench (garbage shoots ran along the top, never smelled anything quite so horrible).
I thought that would be the end of troubles with Disney, until Pooh Bear appeared on my schedule. He was literally a pain in the neck (neck and back). I requested that my set manager take a look at "him" on one of my shifts  (advise from Jaime). What Jaime didn't know is that the next time she would see me following her advise, I'd be wearing a janitor uniform.  Go ahead and laugh Jaime.. I was referred to Physical Therapy to strengthen my back in order to put up with the strain of Pooh Bear all the while being put on schedule to do random work around the parks. My universal uniform was one of a janitor.  I was just hoping that they would take Pooh off my schedule, that wasn't the case. Well, I didn't know it then, but all the while I was getting physical therapy I was really get a taste for what I'd later choose as a career in life! Thanks Pooh...

Well, I've finished my summer semester of PTA (Physical Therapy Assistant) school and will be starting my second round of clinical's in July. (yea! for the week off!) Before I took a break from the class room scene I had to bring My Sisters Shoes to school for at least one day.

Jaime, I wish so much that you were close enough to give me that encouragement I need now again that you did so often when we lived in Tampa. On one of our most recent phone calls you made the mistake of talking about your back and ankle problems which prompted me to talk for at least a half hour until you got in another word because you had opened up the door for me to talk about all that I've learned in Physical Therapy. The nervousness I get before taking my competencies or exams in the PTA program is the same nervous feeling I had be before auditions with you at Disney. It was so much better having you there. I can't go through life's nerve raking moments with hand held assistance and continual encouragement by someone that really knows me like a sister, can I? Oh! I Can! We Can! In a size 5 1/2! 

 CERVICAL TRACTION

INFRARED THERAPY
Have Pressure Ulcer?
This type dry heat is used for seeping wounds.

LASER THERAPY
Have Tennis Elbow?
Laser therapy works at the molecular level to decrease pain!

DIDN'T KNOW YOU'D GET AN INTRO TO PTA  DID YA?

THERABAND EXERCISES
I believe I was strengthening scapular muscles however, you can also strengthen your gastrocs from this position.
I believe ours are tight enough, thanks to our shoes.

HEAT MODALITY

CPM MACHINE
Used in hospitals post op for passive range of motion of the  knee joint

AEROBIC CONDITIONING 

SAW THE SCALE, HAD TO TAKE THIS PICTURE

ME AND HARRY

OH ME!! THE STRESS OF IT ALL!

PATELLA TENDON RELFEX
(Very poor body mechanics)

PROPRIOCEPTION EXERCISES
AFTER AN ANKLE SPRAIN IN OUR SHOES!

2 POINT GAIT
AGAIN, FROM AN ANKLE SPRAIN
WEARING OUR SHOES


Thanks to my classmate  Jaime Soule for taking these pictures! Jaime is the only other Jaime I've met that spells her name like my sister.  Kind of neat to have her take the photos.  

Happy Birthday Sister!!

Worn by Rachel on Thursday June 9th, & Friday 10th 2011

With you in Germany and me here in South Carolina the six hour time difference gave us the opportunity to say "Happy Birthday" to each other for the first time on both our birthdays! You called me at 6 pm , 12 am your time and by the time we got off the phone at 7 pm my time on June 9th and 1 am your time June 10 we were saying Happy Birthday to each other! It was both our birthdays! I thought this was the coolest ever! Later that day, for your birthday I dunned our shoes again and took you to Nacho Hippo for dinner. Knowing how much you love Mexican I couldn't think of a better place to take you on your birthday. Just the day before on my birthday, I opened the most thoughtful gifts from family with our shoes right beside me. I sure did miss blowing out candles with you on top Our Birthday Cake this year! 

Our Last Year's Birthday's

June 9th
 Trying on one my birthday gifts

June 9th
Shawn got me a Keurig Coffee Maker

June 10th
Happy Birthday Jaime!
At Nacho Hippo to Celebrate Your Birthday

Happy Birthday Jaime, Love and Hugs!

Fishing On the Inlet

Worn by Rachel on Saturday, May 28, 2010 

Jaime it's been awhile since I took you anywhere and I really wanted to go someplace with "you." Although entirely impractical for our 4" heels I took you fishing on the inlet. You need a tan ;0) Remember the spring break I came down to visit you and Jess (we went to the military gala). The three of us were down by the pool and some random guy had the audacity to tell you, you were so white you were opaque! Ha! Anyway, next time you come down to South Carolina you are going out on the boat with me (and Shawn). We will have so much fun blue crabbing, fishing for red fish and walking the jetties searching the large rocks for starfish and sea urchins. Can't you just smell the salt water air infused with suntan lotion and sandy beaches? Before you check out Our day on the inlet you must promise not to laugh at My white legs. This was the first opportunity this year I've had to catch any sun. Besides your still whiter than me sister!!  

P.S.Go check out the rest of mine and Shawn's day on the inlet on our blog later. Love Ya!

 Checking the line

Sugarland Concert

Worn by Rachel on March 11, 2011.

I wasn't expecting to get through to our local country radio station let alone answer the "impossible question" with the correct answer, but thats what I did one early morning about a month ago. On March 11th my friend Jodie and I headed to Charleston with two free tickets to a Sugarland concert that I won from The Gator country music station. Although our seats were in the nosebleed section we had a great time listening to great music and people watching. Wearing my Cowgirl Hat and My Sister's Shoes I enjoyed a night of live country music by Little Big Town and Sugarland!

Jaime, remember all the car rides to Disney that you'd try your darnedest to get me sing'n I Ain't No Holla Back Girl! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!! Or sitting with me at the piano belting out Winchester Cathedral!? I know we'd have a great time at any concert together belting out all of our off key notes!! Until we have that opportunity, I was happy to be wearing My Sister's Shoes.

Namaste

Worn by Rachel on Friday, February 14, 2010 Happy Valentines Day!

Deep breath in, exhale slight back bend, forward fold, step back right into plank, chatarunga into cobra. That sums up my evening yesterday. After quite a stressful week last week I decided to take time out to go to the gym and actually take one of my favorite classes. If I get a workout in these days its usually while I'm teaching spin, kickbox or some verson of a weight lifting class. It's a treat to actually take a class, and I equate yoga to a bubble bath..ahhhh.
Jaime, I know how much you love Yoga. So much so that you were a hair shy of receiving your Yoga Certification to teach. Everytime I attend class I think of you. So Naturally, now that I have our Shoes, I couldn't help but take you with me to Yoga class the first chance I got. I would love, love, love to take a Yoga class with you someday, but until then I'll just have you tag along in a "five & a half."

An Afternoon at the Spa

Worn by Rachel on Friday, January 14, 2010

I've had a horrible breakout on my forehead since giving up Proactive products. I was tired of them bleaching my towels, pillow covers and anything else they had come in contact with (Jaime's good towels included). I gave in to a $60 facial treatment to help rejuvenate my skin and clear up my complexion. I had never had a facial before, GASP! What better time to invite a friend, and sister, to share a girl's day at the spa. Once again, there are things a phone call just can't close the gap between miles on, and this was one of those moments. I dunned My Sister's Shoes and set out to the spa (without makeup on) for a little pampering. I felt completely naked when I walked up to the receptionist desk to be greeted by four, yes four, perky little blemish free receptionist's, "Are You Here To Check In?" I can't explain in words, the feeling to have My Sister's Shoes with me and the comfort they provide. Every moment Jaime and I had ever shared together having felt frumpy and unattractive in the company of perfectly thin, long legged, blemish free, size C model wannabees all rushed back to me. I suddenly felt the company of Jaime, her eyebrows turned in, forehead wrinkled, nostril slightly flared in a smile with her lips parted turning down as to say, "What the heck? I thought I actually did a good job putting myself together today until I ran into "them"!" The messy ponytail trend that threw my hair up in suddenly felt like a matted nest and I felt I should have second guessed not wearing at least some lip gloss...like that wouldn't done any good. huhuuumm, 'Yes I'm here for my 11:30 Facial", and I thought, "do you have time to fit me in for makeup application, hair extensions and lipo on my hips and butt!?"

My Sister's Shoes kept safe in my Spa Locker while getting my Facial.

Extractions...OUCH!! Gosh Almighty! Couldn't they have at least numbed me first! Other than that, the facial was very educating. She began by asking me about my current cleansing regime and diet. She hit the brakes when I uttered "Meaningful Beauty." Apparently that is not for my skin type nor my age. I thought I'd get a head start on the wrinkles!




Goodbye Meaningful Beauty!



Hello Neutrogena!

 The first thing I did after my facial was to dump the Meaningful Beauty and purchase the Recommended Neutrogena cleansers. Jaime's I know, that's what you use already so brownie points to you. However, she said to stay away from the grapefruit (pink) Neutrogena cleansers because they are not for breakouts, only blackheads and whiteheads (not mentioned on the bottle).


I would have loved to experience this spa treatment with you Jaime, both the awkward and painful moments. Seeing as you have 7 years on me, when can I expect to stop breaking out!? Jeez-o-Pete!!

Amen Sister!

Worn by Rachel on Sunday, January 9, 2010

Sunday's are for rest. Family's attend church, and share a traditional brunch or Sunday Dinner afterward. It's when kids play and adults catch-up while listening to family members stories from weeks past, each other's social agendas, learn about the kiddos new hobbies and laugh at any funny accidents the husbands might have had in the garage recently or how much a dog visit is going to cost someone next week.

When I received My Sister's Shoes on Friday January 7th, I knew the first place Jaime was going with me was church on Sunday morning. I can't remember the last time I sat in a pew with one of my family members on this "Day of Rest."

Sadly, I don't foresee our family ever living in the same place to share a traditional Sunday Church Service, standing at the pew singing off key to the Old Rugged Cross nor sharing an Afternoon Sunday dinner.

This morning however, my sister was with me, sitting up straight in the congregation at Tilly Swamp Baptist Church, in a size 5 1/2.

It brought me a certain comfort having her in Church, as I'd hope all my family would be, somewhere, miles away on every Sunday.