New shoes and ramblings
Weirdly, though both pairs were from Van-Dal the red ones had been in British sizes and the green ones were in European sizes, so no half sizes. (If the appalling mess that is Brexit brings any benefit at all I'd quite like half-sizes for shoes back.) I ordered a six, and a wider fitting, because the problem with the red ones had been that they were too narrow, and the green ones are a little too long, with a gap of about a centimetre and a half at the end of the toes, but they're snug enough to be wearable.
Result: I now have green loafers. I've got loads of '60s clothes these will go perfectly with. I would have done a photo of me in them, but it looks like raining today, so I left my loafers at home. No point soaking them on their first day out.
My back has been playing up for over a week now and I am FED UP of the constant pain. I went to the doctor, whose conclusion was basically, "It's not sciatica, take lots of painkillers, keep exercising to build up your core muscles, and live with it." I can't help feeling like I've been fobbed off again for being Fat in Possession Of A Spine. At least he's said I can keep going to the gym, though I should lay off the running (it's high-impact) till my back's better. I took photos of myself in gym kit at the start of the year, and did some more last weekend, and there's been a definite effect, so I don't want to have to stop now.(Last week I was saying the gym hadn't achieved anything, but my photos have proved me wrong. It's nice to be wrong, sometimes.)
Complete change of subject: did you know Talking Pictures TV existed? I didn't. It's squirrelled way down the listings on my TV menus (I get cable), so I'd completely missed it. It's free on a number of other platforms, like Sky and Freeview, and shows loads of archive films, mostly from the 1930s to 1960s. There's a small amount of serial stuff too. I've been Tivoing episodes of Colonel March of Scotland Yard, which stars Boris Karloff, and all sorts of classic films. A great way to get your vintage fix on a daily basis.
Those loafers are gorgeous. My Grandma loved Van Dal shoes, although her's were never that groovy!
ReplyDeleteBack pain is horrible. Did the doc suggest taking ibuprofen with paracetamol (one of each, three times a day)? When my hip flared up last year it went a long way to lessening the pain.
I'll have to see if we can get Talking Pictures. We've exhausted all the vintage documentaries on the i-player. xxx
He suggested paracetamol. I tend to avoid painkillers unless it's really bad - long story - and luckily the pain is now subsiding. It's feeling more like stiff muscles now; I'm guessing they tensed up with the pain.
Deletelove it!
ReplyDeleteI do like the colour of those loafers! I have a pair of Van Dal shoes actually, they first hit my radar when they started reissuing shoes from their 1950s archives.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we can get Talking Pictures, shame. xx
Now I've found a company whose shoes I can mail order 'cos they'll fit (and whose returns system is a piece of cake if they don't), I suspect a lot of my money will go their way.
DeleteGreen shoes! I'm so glad you got them, and I completely understand not wanting to take them out in the rain.
ReplyDeleteFat bias is real. I don't know your GP, but if you're comfortable enough, it might be worth asking straight out if that would be the same advice given to a thin person.
I hope you're feeling better soon.
It's getting better. I've only really had a bad reaction from them when I've gone for backache. When I went to get my stress pills, the doc's response was, "Have you considered doing exercise?" which ticked me off a bit, but we started going to the gym 'cos of Pete's blood pressure and the endorphins have actually helped my anxiety too, so she was probably on to something there.
DeleteLove those pistachio green loafers!
ReplyDeleteWell, if it's not sciatica what is it?
I actually had worse back pain when I was skinnier.
Take your Ibuprofen & paracetemol with hot tea (that'll make the tablets work faster) and 40mgs of famotidine (that'll prevent a gastric ulcer from the ibuprofen). No booze whilst your on ibuprofen, missy! That'll put holes in your tummy for sure.
I think as long as it's not a trapped nerve that could result in permanent damage, they leave it. If it were bad enough that I was going back regularly they'd probably look into it more.
DeleteI've never heard of famotidine - Americans seem better informed about medicines than we Brits; we're so used to being prescribed things we just take what we're told to.
The shoes are gorgeous, and well worth waiting for. It's true that we don't get often get half-sizes for shoes here anymore, but they still exist, which is a good thing as I often need a 4 and a half. Hope your back gets better soon, as I know it can be horrible. Good to hear going to the gym is starting to have its effects. Well done, Mim. xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's easing up. I went to the gym last night, and the muscles feel stiff, but the really bad pain is gone, so I'm hoping it's going to get completely better within a couple of weeks.
DeleteGot my shoes on today. They really make the outfit!
Fab shoes no wonder you snapped them up when they came in the sales. I highly recommend Pilates for core strength and a knackered back. have you been to an Osteopath/ chiropractor? perhaps something is out of alignment?
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to one - I was considering it, which is why I went back to the doc. That said, it's eased up loads, I reckon another week of not running and it'll be back to normal.
DeleteLovely shoes. I would like half sizes back too! Hope your back feels better soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's loads better.
DeleteBeautiful shoes, Mim. They are the most glorious colour. I think that they are beautiful. Bet that they look great on. You have great taste. On a grumpier note, I have been on the receiving end of fat-discriminatory doctors too many times. How simple there jobs would be if people would just be thin. No one would ever get ill *insert sarcastic snort here*. Back pain happens to anyone and it is a real bugger. Got to second the comment about taking something to protect your stomach lining, Lanzaprole or Omeprazole in the UK. I gave up the meds for my slipped disc and went to mindfulness classes instead. It was really helpful and has really calmed me down a bit too. Might be worth a try. Xx
ReplyDeleteI followed the doc's advice and have kept going to the gym without running, and it's loads better. I even sawed up some logs over the weekend.
Delete(I'll get to shoes later)
ReplyDeleteLet me just begin by saying - I hope you get better soon, and the painkillers are no longer needed. The feeling you get is what a lot of us gets, no matter she shape or size - we all seem to get some kind of a look in every stage of our lives.
Now, THOSE shoes!
Gooooood gracious Mim! They are positively adorable!
I do like my shoes. I'm terrified of scuffing them, I want them to stay nice for as long as possible. (I look after my things; when I was a kid we didn't get new things very often, so I had to take care of them.)
DeleteThe back is getting better. I've no idea what makes it play up. But I was ill last weekend and spending a few days in bed seemed to help it!