Is it really all about the shoes? The accessories? Well, for a moment it may have been. I still can recall that feeling. It really must be like when the guy gets the truly trophy buck. Recall that first kiss. You know the one where your feet tingle, you feel like you are floating. You even get light headed. I felt it. I didn't want to let it go. I paced myself. I made sure I was the most mindful I could possibly be. I wanted to take in the light, the colors, the sounds, the smells. With each step, I took notice of how my feet felt. As my legs glided forward, my spine became more erect. My head flipped back. My heart beat faster...those boots. Big, black, over the knee...Gucci. Modelisc. My movements became Victoria Secret runway model like...without the big boobs, flat stomach, and youth...but it felt very close! And all through this I kept telling myself "Todd's hunting trip cost as much as the boots".

Do I have the boots in my possession? Goes back to the question, is it really about the shoes? ok, ok, ok...no. No, it really isn't. You can be like Brenda and buy a ton (go girl!) or you can go out and buy clearance at Walmart for $2.98, one pair. It's time to sit back and remember this...when our purpose was created, this shoe hunt grew out of a need to inspire and empower, however conscious we were of realizing that.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go with that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

- Harold Whitman

This past year, my father died. Sometimes I feel guilty that I seem to think of him more now that he is gone. I should have been more aware of his presence when he called, stopped by, helped out. I know the thoughts I have for him and memories of his life are remnants of the legacy he left behind. I was honored when I read the eulogy at his funeral. I felt he was listening. His legacy reminded me of a tree. The tree that now stands tall in our back yard is a symbol of his legacy. He planted the roots and was deeply excited about his family history, passing stories on to us. And the wings...the birds that land on those branches and fly off to greater heights- his children, grandchildren, and those he touched...and there were many. Just come check out the tree once- there does not seem to be a moment that goes by without the presence of beautiful birds (sometimes I imagine them being tickled by those rough yet gentle hands).

He made me think about my possible legacy. And to think about Mr. Whitman's quote. Creativity brings me joy. That realization was an unconscious thought at one time. Once I asked myself who I am and why I was here , I began to understand what I was doing and how I would get there. Legacy- you can leave one or you can live one. And now I am in the thick of it. Creating something tangible around that which I am passionate.

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

Isaac Newton

So when Kelly, Kathy and I were sitting around the bar that night, our conversation was about leaving a legacy, it just came out in words a little different ("oh shoot! another hunting season. I am so sick of this! Already he is on the phone talking with everyone 24 hours a day..yada, yada, yada!) So is it about the shoes? Of course! But it is about utilizing a passion. It is about sharing that passion with others. It is about leaving a legacy.

And on that note- though the whole party is awesome, one of the best parts is when we turn over the microphone to all who wish to tell their shoe hunting stories, show off their best deal, or intrigue us with their greatest find! Be creative! Make it fun! I already have ideas formulating from my hunts!

Love, Paula

Life is good today...yee-ha!

I was going to journal my hunt with Michelle and Jeanne through scribe but I thought this summed it up nicely!

Thank you Krystan Adams for the nice West Bend Daily News article today. Thank you to each and every one of you for your love and passion. You inspire me to creatively give!

New Info about iPhone

A fellow hunter and apple enthusiast found the information about the bar scanner.

Thank you Jenny for doing the background check!

Happy Hunting and shoot straight!

(Jenny's email)

good news, there is a bar code scanner for the iPhone.

Redlaser.com

It has great reviews. 4.5 out of 5 stars from 5600 users in the app

store and see the article below.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-10376392-233.html

A successful start to the HUNT !

Well done ! I wonder what the limit is ..... oh yea ....with shoes there is none !!

Wow! I am finally getting to Blog and at an insane hour…but hunting can be tiring and sacrifices, at times are needed. Especially when good hunting tips can be shared with fellow hunters.

So, while preparing for this years hunt I decided to do a little inventory. The best way for me to do this was with the help of a stylist. Mary Sheehan Warren has written a book called It’s So You! Fitting Fashion into Your Life. I was introduced to Mary about two years ago at a friend’s home (thanks Lisa!). As a deer, turkey, pheasant, shoe, and accessory hunter, I need to prep for this years hunt (It is so much fun…isn’t it). Many times we need to get advice from expert hunters and Mary was my inlet. Okay, I will jump to the point, but as many know I love details so I tend to get long winded about topics I am passionate about or think others will find useful. So, if I skipped over a fun detail you want more info on please ask, I would love to elaborate.

My field work-

To prep for our consult I was to take a style profile assessment, which Mary provided (It is also in her book). My style personality tends to be expressive with classic structure.

I also gathered all my gear. This was an experience in itself. I still had clothes from high school (yeah, Sarah… I did not get rid of all of them the day you came over and drank a bottle of wine and kept saying, “Seriously”).

Expert hunter arrives-

Mary arrives in the cutest outfit, which I could see myself wearing. Sorry, I was about to get into too many details. I am going to move to the part of ‘What not to Wear—Closet clearing’. Another side note- there was a get to know you part before the ‘closet clearing’ but that falls under details. I told her to be assertive with my closet. Now, she is defiantly sweeter than Stacy or Clinton, however I had to be very persuasive as to why I wanted to keep a few of my pieces. As she said “Everyday should be an A day”. So, I took her advice and cleared a heap of stuff out of my closet. The best part was, she loved my shoes and handbags. She did suggest a new pair of boots and white shoes, a suit and a sheath. Of coarse a handbag will tie all together nicely. About 3 hours later she departed and I was motivated for this years hunt to really begin (why else would I be on at 1:35 AM)

Where to put my stands?

Hunters’ tend to really contemplate where to put their stand. Oh… I should clarify, stands. There is never just one; at least not in my house...does anyone’s significant other hunt from one stand? One reason for multiple stands is the wind direction. So, Mary gave me a number of options of where I should put my stands (shopping targets!) She also suggested a few great preview places to help get ideas. In hunting land this could be considered the part of videotaping, Paula blogged on this not to long ago. Okay cool fact, and I would love more info so please share if you know more- Did you all know there is an iPhone that is able to scan an item’s barcode and check where that item may be less expensive. How, cool would that be for a hunting tool.

Well, I am going to sign off for tonight. I have shared our hunt with Mary and she was very excited about our trek for the best shoe, best accessory, best deal and best story. Maybe, she will even share a few hunting tips with us?

Happy Hunting!!

Kathy

What a shoehunter thinks about when she swims...

Lap #1- "welcome back"...yeah, I know water, it has been awhile since I joined you. Even after a few strokes, I know it's good to be back.
Lap #2- if I get the high above the knee boots, where else am I gonna wear them? yes, the hunting party...my birthday...oh, Christmas...new years...but I must make plans to make sure I am not always around the same people. I hate it when people see me in the same outfit!
Lap#3- Jordan and Andrew really did great in the KEYS run- both 2nd in their age group- they rock!
Lap#4- I should have shaved today. I think the prickles are slowing me down. Thought I might just do 8 laps but this feels so good I am right back into the half mile!
Lap#5- my thoughts...do I ever shut up? oh well, something to blog about.
Lap #6- my a#*, I do not have $1200 worth of shoes in my closet Todd....at least not yet for this shoe season! I can't believe he said that last night as we discussed what he should do with the Cabelas gift card...he's over his limit!..and now I have something to shoot for!!!!
Lap#7-I really need a pair of black heels.
Lap #8- here it comes again, I am entering the deep area and that vision from that stupid shark week show about the woman who swims her laps in the ocean only to be swallowed up by a great white, swim a little faster!
Lap #9- OK, this is suppose to be a meditative type of experience, let's get back to breathing.
Lap #10- great Fall party this weekend. Fire beer...good but wow! Like High School coach Lynn Laporte always said, "It will take you at least 3 days to recover to normal athlete skills if you drink!" She's right. What is today? OK, 4.
Lap#11- The senate passed the health care reform bill. I think the Mayans were right, here comes the end 2012. I want to move. An ocean would be nice, at least that what my angels keep telling me.
Lap#12- I need to remember whenever I go on vacation to buy shoes- I have in Germany, Mexico, China (for my kids). Gosh, I have to go to Italy. Come on Kathy!
Lap #13- This guy next to me looks like a frog and I really think I just saw a jelly fish. OK, let's get back to breathing.
Lap#14- Zumba was a nice surprise this morning at the Y. Gosh, I want to move like instructor Addy. I could see myself the whole time in those darn studio mirrors...my new hairdo...walked in to the salon Tuesday with blonde hair with dark roots, left with dark hair and blonde roots...I'll get use to it!
Lap#15- 1 more lap then grocery shopping and stopping for soup at the Coffee corner. Todd thinks I have shoes stuffed in my car. I wish he was right- I forgot and will have to wear tennis shoes...not princess style at all!
Lap#16- OK, time for prayer. Thank you God...

Hunting stories

It wasn't as bad as I thought.
Here I was at a wonderful gathering...friends, purses, jewelry, wine. Nice conversation when my phone rings. I had to answer it as it was home and I had not told them where I would be going. It was my husband telling me that they were back from hunting. He took the boys out with him. Rusty and Todd built this wonderful stand on KT's property that they call the Condo or something like that. All of the kids can fit it in and should be able to move their squirrely butts around a little without spooking the deer. So he relays to me they saw 3 doe and a buck. Jordan got it all on tape. Todd didn't shoot because the video recorder went dead. But they were excited for me to get home so I could watch this tape.
Hmmmm...how long do I stay? I discuss this with fellow shoe/accessory hunting fanatics all with fantastic ideas. "Take a picture of each one of these purses and discuss in detail the color, lines, beauty before you watch the deer video." Many similar responses ensued.
Here I was...you can liken parties like I was at to a deer farm. Basically you pay good money to have it all right there- all you have to do is decide which you are going to shoot. And, yes, the bigger the rack, the more expensive the trip package. As usual, the money spent is well worth it because you never leave empty handed. Well, unless you don't spend (and sit down before you read this) I walked out emptied handed (except for a wonderful banana torte that Kelly made!) A co-hunter good friend found a wonderful accessory for the shoe hunt party...could Kathy be the 2 time winner???
I went home. Andrew immediately went into story mode. It was adorable because he has 2 - Todd and Jordan who are master story tellers so he does a fabulous job at uniquely reciting his version. Jordan made great attempts at trying to remain silent. Andrew even threw in directions from were the deer had entered. He was confused as to why Dad had not shot. The video was short but very neat to see. Jordan was the camera man and did a nice job of catching them as they came into view.
Story telling brought us to the prior night. The boys and I were driving home when we caught a glimpse of 2 deer walking through some tall grass. I shined (boy, am I a sucker) the headlights on the deer. I certainly got sight of the first one- a nice buck, thick rack, maybe 8...by the time Jordan got home it was at least a 10 with 4 dropped tines and though we didn't see the first one that was a buck too with an equally big rack! Jordan's adrenaline takes over his vision.
The night is late and we head off to bed but I can't close my eyes until I let Todd tell me his version (I mean by that, he won't let me close my eyes....) So he endearingly tells the story of how excited his boys were to see this in front of their eyes. And I know deep down, they are hooked, all of them. Hunting is officially in their blood for good.
And thank God it is for me too! I spent a joyous night with true friends at the Osthoff this past weekend. What an amazing time! And, you know, there was not one shoe purchased- we did not even see a shoe (but a lot of accessories). Just proves Ladies, that it is not about the kill (and I do not recommend Elkhart Lake if you are shoe hunting). It's really about the relationships you build, the stories you can tell, and the lessons that you learn.
Get out there and hunt!
Invitations are coming but this is open to all. And not to forget about the season and fast forward to the party but you would not believe some of the raffle prizes this year- you are not going to want to miss this!
Hugs,
Paula