Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Big "Red" Shoes

I'll admit it.

I have big feet...long, narrow, (but beautiful) size 10 feet.

A bit challenging growing up, since all my friends wore size 6-8. I always missed out on sharing the cute shoes to match my cute little outfit. For some reason, most of these cute shoes were red (a hard color to forget). I still sigh when I walk into the shoe department, and I have to walk past the first few isles to get to the 10 and above shoes. Honestly, do they not think women with bigger feet want to wear the cute styles that the petite feet get to wear?

There are advantages to having water-skis (as Mook lovingly calls them) for feet. I can cover a big distance in shorter amount of time, I can use my strong toes to pick clothes up off the floor, and give anyone a good swift kick in the rear. But most of the time, it's just me and my big feet in a small-feet world.

Some of the most famous little red shoes are Dorthy's beautiful ruby red slippers...only a size 6. Yet another pair I can't fit into. But the allure of these famous red shoes is hard to ignore...it would be worth wincing in pain to fit into these fabulous shoes only for a moment!

There was a positive energy that these shoes held for Dorthy the whole time she wore them, yet she wasn't able to recognize their potential until the end of her journey. Glenda the good witch comes to her rescue, only to tell Dorthy that she had the tools to return home all along: just by clicking her shoes. The beautiful (little) red shoes.

I have recently come across a pair of "red" shoes that are just my size. However, they are "big" shoes to fill. The person who wore these shoes before me, is a big act to follow, but I am honored that she is confident that I will take care of her "shoes".

I am so happy to share that I am the new blogger for Redbook's Infertility Diaries. I am beyond honored for this opportunity to continue sharing our journey, educating others about infertility, and connecting with those who are looking for support. I know how important it is to connect to those going through this journey, and I hope that I can help at least one person not feel so alone...

I wish it were as easy as clicking my heels to return home; home being the innocence before infertility. But I truly believe that I am meant to stay in Oz for a while to lead others out. I don't want to be left wandering down the yellow brick road forever, but I (unlike Dorthy) am fortunate to realize the potential of the shoes I am putting on before the end of my journey.

I am not leaving my "jeans" behind! This will always be home--I am hopeful that I can reach out to more people through Redbook who need the excellent support that we all have found in this blogging community.

Hope to see you over at the Infertility Diaries--it's a whole new adventure, and I am looking forward to sporting my swanky new SIZE 10 red shoes...

82 comments:

  1. Congrats, JJ!! In the words of Anchorman, you're kind of a big deal!! :) This is so very exciting!

    And don't feel bad, I wear size 10 too. Maybe we can share shoes... or are we too old for that?? ;)

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  2. Congratulations! That's very exciting! Redbook is how I discovered this community in the first place, so I definitely keep an eye out over there.
    And as an odd side note to your "no cute shoes" dilemma, why is that they can't make cute bras in larger sizes either? Are they purposely trying to make us feel more insecure? Yeesh.

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  3. How fabulous! I think you will do a wonderful job!

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  4. OH MY GOSH!!! That is amazing! I'm so happy and proud for you.

    You are too cool.

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  5. Yay, JJ! You go, girl.

    What a great decision on Redbook's part.

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  6. JJ- This is very exciting news!! Congrats to you

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  7. That is wonderful news! You will be great - it is well deserved. (I wear a size 10, too, BTW!)

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  8. Congrats on the huge honor - Redbook!!! Wonderful news!

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  9. Way to go!!!! What a huge honor. :) We are lucky to have such a great representative to educate others about the collective journey of infertility. Congratulations JJ!!!

    *For the record, size 10 feet are beautiful. I have been sporting a pair myself for quite some time now. :)

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  10. JJ, Congrats on the new blog gig at Redbook!!! You will be awesome at it as we all know by reading "jeans" and I will definitely check out the IFDs!! I am so happy for you!!!

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  11. Congratulations!! I will definitely be checking out your new shoes! ;) (I'm an 8-8.5 myself... but WIDE. On the rare occasion that I find a pair of shoes that fit comfortably, I tend to buy every colour!)

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  12. That is great news! I loved your first entry.

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  13. Wow JJ, I'm so impressed for you at your new stardom! Who says red shoes can't come in size 10? (Now, size 11, my feet, that's a different story :)). I will continue to follow you in both places!

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  14. CONGRATULATIONS!! What an amazing opportunity to be able to reach out to even more people!!

    You are so right, about wanting to return to pre-infertility innocence. When I take my break, I'm hoping to get some of that back.

    Thanks so much for your comment. It's so good to know that other's have been in my position too.

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  15. That is huge news JJ! Congrats!

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  16. OMG, that is fabulous! That is so exciting. You are going to do an amazing job.

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  17. It's funny because I have the same problem with jeans and any pants. My legs are long and skinny. I can never buy the cute styles, have to get the basic stuff that is sold in longs in my size!

    Anyway, congrats on the new digs!

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  18. Oh, congrats, JJ! You're the perfect person to keep the Infertility Diaries going; I'm so glad they asked you!

    I wear size 10 AND A HALF - which they don't really make; I used to squeeze into 10s, but now I buy roomier 11s.

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  19. Congratulations, what an exciting thing to do. I had never even been to the Redbook website and certainly didn't know they had an infertility column. I bookmarked it so now I will not only be your faithful blog reader, but column reader as well!
    Go red shoes!

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  20. YAY! YAY! YAY! I am so excited for you :-)

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  21. Congratulations! I'll definitely be following your posts there.

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  22. I love this post. I also love your redbook photo. So glam! :)

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  23. From one big footed girl to another...CONGRATS!!! Can't wait to head over and read the column.

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  24. JJ, how truly awesome that you will touch even more lives than you already do!

    BTW, I am a size 10 also. I have to work hard to find cute shoes, but I manage. ;)

    Also, there is a girl in my town who plays high school basketball. She wears a size 18 mens shoe! Now there is someone doomed to a life of ugly shoes. Hopefully, she'll make so much money planying basketball that she can do the custom thing.

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  25. That is awesome. I just read the post. Soooo cool! Thanks for putting a redbook link on your page too. I can check in whenver you post new stuff. By the way, is that your actual picture on the Redbook site? If so, you look beautiful.

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  26. Congratulations!! I haven't seen the Redbook website before, but I'll definitely start reading it. Great job!!!

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  27. Wow . . . Congratulations!
    Don't forget us now that you are famous! ;-)

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  28. Wow! Congrats on the new job!! I can't wait to read your column at Redbook as well as keeping up with you here.

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  29. What an honor, JJ! Congratulations! And you better believe I'll be over there seeing the red shoes and all:)

    P.S. While I wear a size 8 1/2 shoe, my toes are so long that I can also pick things up with them:) DH makes fun of me all the time...till I pinch him with them:)lol

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  30. Congratulations! That is a really big dela and i'm so proud of you. You deserve it, you are a great writer and people will relate to you.

    Wonderful!

    btw I'm a size 10.......wide :(

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  31. Congratulations!!! And I wear size 10 too :-)

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  32. Way to go, JJ! I think you are perfect for your new role!

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  33. Fantastic news! I followed Julie over there, and now will continue to read since you are on board!

    I wear a size 10 shoe. All I have to say is, thank god for online shopping now! We can FINALLY get the cute shoes in our size!

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  34. Congratulations JJ!

    I think you have a lot of offer everyone.

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  35. Aren't you too cute with the "red" shoe diaries. Teeheehee naughty girl. :)

    I AM OVER THE MOON FOR YOU!

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  36. Congratulations, JJ!! I'm so excited for you! Now I can say 'I knew her when...'!

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  37. Congratulations, smarty pants! That's terrific! What an honor!


    I'm so happy and proud of you.

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  38. Congratulations, JJ! If anyone can fill those shoes--you can! I look forward to reading your insights.

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  39. Wow. That is really cool. Congrats on this achievement. So will you stop posting here entirely? I hope you are havign a red shoes kinda day.

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  40. What a fabulous opportunity, JJ! I am so delighted for you! I will definitely be following you to your new hangout. XOXO

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  41. Congrats! I enjoyed your first post and look forward to lots more!

    I'm on the other end of those water skiis, I wear a 5.5 size shoe. Those are hard to find too!

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  42. WOW!! COngratulations! And I can say, "I knew you when..."!

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  43. CONGRATULATIONS JJ!!!! WOW!!! That's just so exciting!!!! I can't think of a better person to have speaking on our (and by "our" I mean infertiles) behalf! You will do a WONDERFUL job! I LOVED YOUR FIRST POST! You're so talented!!!

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  44. Congratulations!!! I'll definitely be following along over there.

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  45. Awesome!! Can't wait for the whole world to discover the legen-wait for it-dary epistles of JJ!

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  46. Congrats!! Excellent news! Oh, and BTW, I have size 5 (barely) feet and the grass is NOT greener - they don't make cute shoes that small either. =(

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  47. Congrats! How great is this for you?

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  48. Congratulations! The torch (or the shoes) couldn't have been passed to anyone better.

    PS I wear size 9 1/2 so I'm right there with ya.

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  49. Congratulations! It is much deserved and I look forward to seeing you over at RB. :)

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  50. well, isn't that just freaking awesomely cool??!?!?! Congrats!!!

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  51. i'm so proud of you. that's an excellent honor. Look forward to seeing you share your journey with a wider audience

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  52. Wow, that's so fantastic!!Congratulations, JJ. They are lucky to have you writing for them.

    .... I'm a size 10 as well!! My dad always said I had a good grip on the earth.

    (BTW Did you know Paris Hilton is size 11!! All that money and not one dainty shoe to show for it!)
    xoxox

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  53. That is awesome!!! Congratulations!!! I am looking forward to your posts.

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  54. Congrats on the new gig! I can't wait to read more over there--but hope that circumstances have you graduating away from it sooner rather than later. :-)

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  55. What great news! And how cool to find out I've got big feet in common with such a great gal.

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  56. huge congrats JJ! I'm so excited for your new gig. yay you! ~luna

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  57. I'm loving that Redbook is including some male infertility opinions! I can't wait to follow your journey over there too. Thanks for giving me the idea and courage to start my own blog. It is very theraputic to say the least.

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  58. That is excellent news!

    Heading over there now...

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  59. You look fabulous in your new red shoes! Congratulations.

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  60. Congrats, I hope you have a wonderful time in your new "red shoes"

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  61. Way cool - what an honor! You've hit the big time.

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  62. Congrats on the new role....here's hoping that you follow in the steps of your last two predecessors and get knocked right up in the process ,

    J

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  63. My dear friend , you post made me cry. Congratulations, I believe that you will do an amazing job!
    I am so proud of you

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  64. Yay! Congrats--you'll do such a great job representing "us"!

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  65. Just wanted to say that I am so proud of you for your new position. I can't think of a better girl to be writing for Redbook! It serioulsy makes me smile with pride when I think of you telling others of the truthful journey that us IF'ers face. You are an inspiration and I am proud to have you representing us as our voice!

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  66. I know I'm a bit late coming to the party, but I wanted to say a big congrats on the new job! Go get 'em, tiger! Bring a little understanding to the world.

    Bea

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  67. I'm slow to your announcement -- but can't think of a better choice! That is so great JJ! Wishing you the very best and will definitely be following in both spots!

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  68. JJ - that is fantastic news! And you can share shoes with me - I too have houseboats for feet.

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  69. Congrats JJ! I can't wait to read your work :).

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  70. that is so cool and exciting!!! we have a celebrity among us! :)

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  71. I'm backtracking here and have already been to your new gig, but I had to tell you that size 10 is still petite to me. I wear an 11! ;-) ... off to visit your new site.

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There is nothing like a good pair of jeans; they shape us, support us and make us look our best. I'd love for you to share your jeans with me!