Hello. What is so funny about my boots? Can someone tell me why Brenda almost collapsed into fits of laughter when she looked down at my feet?
They then became a bit loose on my feet so I thought I'd better just use them for gardening. I tie the laces like that so I can just slip my feet in and out of them without too much bending down. While in the garden I am often popping back into the house for something I have forgotten, so I don't want to be bothering with tying laces every time I wear them.
There isn't much gardening to do at the moment, but these boots are not for chucking just yet. I still have to hang the washing out, or put some waste in the bins, or water the pot plants if it doesn't rain. They will be sitting by my back door for a while yet, there is still a bit more wear left in them. I think they could do with a bit of tarting up, I may paint them lovely colours ;o)
I'm off to the library van, I haven't seen Stan in weeks, he will be wondering what has happened to me. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon
Toodle pip
A little shoe goo would probably extend their life even more. Not sure all places available, but know Amazon has it. I've not used it, but have read other bloggers who say it has saved their shoes and their children's shoes. Just a thought. Have a lovely day. Ranee (MN) USA
ReplyDeleteI was going to suggest the same. No reason to risk a fall/tripping over the unglued soles.
DeleteMy gardening shoes are a bit like that, just slip them of when coming indoors. Waste not. want not is my motto.
ReplyDeleteLovely sunshine here at Heathrow.
Hazel. c uk
Maybe some glue might be a good idea. I'm frightened you could trip in them. X
ReplyDeleteAnd eventually - in about ten years(!) you could use them for growing flowers next to your summerhouse!
ReplyDeleteWhen you have finished with them, please use them to grow some plants in, they do look lovely, no need to paint them, Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI thought the same as you, Jules - also speaking from experience! I wear (wore?) Crocs in and out of the garden - easy to slip on and off - but because they are so soft and springy they offered me no support when I tripped over a loose paving slab and broke my wrist two weeks ago! So stay safe Ilona.
ReplyDeleteI think they're perfectly fine for what you're using them for .... I also would hate to see you trip though so if you have some heavy duty tape perhaps you could tape up the bottom soles to the top.
ReplyDeleteI reckon you could spray them with paint and they would make super planters, just as they are!
ReplyDeleteJ x
Ilona, how about a bit of 'no more nails' or whatever the pound shop equivalent might be. I bet it would stick them down and give you a safer boot to wear
ReplyDeleteWe don't want you coming a cropper Ilona, can't you wrap some gaffer tape round them. Failing that when they've really bitten the dust, could you do something arty farty with them to adorn your she'd walls.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with others, be careful you don't slip over; however with your ingenuity how about trying to get the soles off and replace with some rubber or suitable material and using the soles for something else - artwork maybe? Amanda
ReplyDeleteYou often remind me of Ben, a polish man who lived next door to me for 50 years. Sadly he has now died but he didn't throw away anything. His slippers were held together with gaffa tape and his trousers were held up with string. He, like you often ate from the saucepan. The back garden was full of furniture and cookers etc that he might need someday and the garage was so full of useful he left just enough space for his ancient moped. But let me say that he was a lovely man and a good neighbour for all of those years and we miss him.
ReplyDeleteThe house has nearly finished having a makeover, only taken 2 years with lots of noise and dust but I bet the new people will not be half as lovely as Ben.
Keep trucking Ilona, I love your life and your blog.
Briony
x
Actually the boots look like they are laughing too! They have character, paint two eyes on them. and you have Bootsie and Snudge!
ReplyDeleteMy friend's work boots are like yours. In the last few weeks he glued them up - still holding up. My Dad (100) has 2 pairs of slippers - he "mends" them by glueing jeyes cloths onto the soles. They are lethal as they have polished wooden floors. No wonder he says he's unsteady on his feet. If I chucked them away he would sulk for ever. Natalie
ReplyDeleteHahaha. Jozef and I both enjoyed seeing those boots again. You could try clear silicone bath sealant to stick them up.
ReplyDeleteI think they would look lovely in your garden with some pansies in the top Iiona :)
ReplyDeleteSue R
Why don't you fill 'em with soil, Ilona, and plant something in them? I've seen wellies and boots planted up and they can look quirky and pretty at the same time!n (Just noticed that Sue Ransden has suggested the same thing! Great minds, great minds ...)
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
The life those boots have lived would make most people jealous...Me. ;) One way to look at it. Most men believe that duct tape would hold them together for a few more years of working in the garden. Just wrap them babies up and keep going. :)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't wear them. The thing is we never think we are going to fall until suddenly we do, and in those shoes it's a possibility.
ReplyDeletegrin...
ReplyDeleteoh gosh, I think I can help you "give them a tune up"...
find some heavy duty glue, there are many on the market (gorilla glue etc), glue all those edges liberally back together, and put something VERY heavy on top for a week, or at least a few days. Even better to leave them where it is warmish while glue is setting.
you really will get yrs more wear out of them...grin.
Gran here - My 20+ year old "outdoor" shoes, worn while feeding the chickens and tinkering about, looked exactly like your boots! The soles had left the scene, so to speak. The leather tops were still good, so I could not justify chunking them in the garbage. A couple of rounds of duct tape/gaffa tape (I am in USA), re-introduced the soles to the shoes! All is well now, and I continue to wear them and do not give a hoot if a neighbor or anyone else were to see me wearing them.
ReplyDeleteReminds me a little of my father's lawn cutting shoes :). You could plant flowers in them when you are finished wearing them for good perhaps. Have a nice day, Pam
ReplyDeleteThey are definitely a fashion statement!!!! SueM
ReplyDeleteI used to grow some plants a pair of Jon's old work boots.
ReplyDeleteMy boots are not quite ready for refurbishment (I bought them in 1979) so I hope they have a little more life left in them yet. But when they begin to give up their sole, I will certainly send them to you. As I'm a Boho chick do you think you could incorporate some lace and sequins (mud proof, obviously) into the designs? Otherwise I shall have to look elsewhere for a grungy, lace and blinged boot restoration. Please do not disappoint me. I am willing to pay a small sum for your input. blessings
ReplyDeleteThe boots look like they are laughing, Ilona, hehe :) Alex
ReplyDelete