I used to hate Crocs. I thought they looked ridiculous–the design, the colors, the plastic-ness of it all–yuk. I even discouraged my determined daughters from sinking their spending money into buying a pair for themselves. “Those are going to be a fad, like jelly shoes, and by next year, they’ll be ‘out.’ I wouldn’t buy them, if I were you. But if you insist…”They bought them, and I shook my head. “Just you wait and see,” I said. I felt sorry for them, that they’d spent all that money on shoes that were likely going to be made fun of six months later. They were delighted, though, and as soon as they got into the van, their flip-flops came off and the Crocs went on.For a year those girls wore their Crocs all over town, and although I continued to think they were hideous, I did stop making faces and teasing them. And I must admit that a few times I squeezed into one of their pairs to run outside in the dewy or frosty grass to get the paper or throw the ball for the dog. “Handy,” I thought, “but ugly.”Then I started seeing adults wearing them. Grown men and women–out in public!Then I heard that doctors and nurses wore them all the time.Then my mom bought a pair for my dad! And he wears them!Well, not long ago, just before we were leaving for a camping trip, my mom gave the girls a pair of pink Crocs that she didn’t like. “They seem too pink,” she said. The girls giddily tried them on, but they were too big for them.”Let me try them,” I said. The girls looked shocked.”You?”“You hate Crocs!”I slipped my foot into one of them. “They fit,” I said. “These can be mine.”"What?” one of the girls exclaimed. “Why? You’ll never wear them.”"Oh, maybe I’ll wear them for gardening, as they were originally intended. And you can share, if you want.”Well, I wore those Crocs on the car trip to the campsite, thinking they’d be easy to slip on and off when we stopped for gas–and they were.I wore them around the campsite, to the beach, and in place of flip-flops in the shower. I wore them everywhere, even out to the beach town for a little shopping outing. I think I might have worn them to a casual restaurant. They greatly simplified the camping experience, because I didn’t have to switch from sandals to shower flip-flops to tennis shoes. I just wore Crocs. Everywhere. The girls teased me, delighted that their mom was a Croc-convert.I have concluded that Crocs are the perfect camping shoe. I guess now, with this WFMW post, I am practically a Croc-evangelist.Crocs maintain their popularity, and even I have seen the light.Now I keep them by the door for those quick, dewy morning outings to pick tomatoes from the garden or throw the ball for the dog. And next time we go beach camping, I may not bother to pack any other shoes.Kroeker Crocs work for us.And I have apologized to the girls.Please visit Rocks in My Dryer for more great ideas!
My previous Works-For-Me-Wednesday Ideas:Last-minute Hair PrepHold Your Life Together (creative clothespin uses)Thick and Chewy, Fast and Easy Pizza DoughParenting AdviceA-B-A-B (Always Bring A Book)What Doesn’t Work For MeOutlook for EverythingWorks for My Daughter (tent for a little solitude)21st Century Calling CardsBuying LocallyWorks-for-my-Friend Wednesday (Storage for Hospital Stays)When Life Is Crazy-Busy, Do the Next ThingProjects Contained and PortableCastile Soap for a Simpler Life (and blemish-free face)Post-It Annotation for Library BooksEveryday Mom-Mobile Essentials & Travel NotebooksMoney-Motivated KidsDrawers-by-the-DoorMake the Most of Internet Lag Time Storing Dishes: How Low Can You Go?Crepes? Mais, Oui! Containerize Kids’ LaundryLet It Snow, Let Us Slow (Crockpot Steel-Cut Oatmeal) Family LoveFestJoy of Lifelong Learning–For Free! MP3 Accompanist MP3 Note-taking
Perhaps that’s why my wife loves them, too.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/
Just the phrase “jelly shoes” brought me back to the mire…where I already been.
I am a Croc Hold Out. Haven’t bought them yet.
Then again, I just started wearing bell bottom jeans, just when the tapered leg is coming back in style. Figures.
Wellll….keep in mind I got those *pink* Crocs for free from my mom. I never would have purchased them myself. And I *never* would have purchased *pink* ones.
Ever.
That’s why they are Crocs for *Camping*, not everyday use back home.
I hear you on the bell-bottom jeans. I’m the same way. I suppose it has to do with the fact that I shop secondhand so often that I’m getting the good stuff when others are getting rid of it and moving on to tapered.
Oh! Not you too!
I remain a hold-out in a world of croc-wearers. I will not succumb! I will prevail against peer pressure and wanton comfort!
Unless someone buys a pair for me.
I love my crocs. I even bought a pair back before they were popular. I especially love them for my young children. They were the first pair of shoes that Brother could actually get on and off by himself. A little fyi for you though, Crocs does make a flip-flop that really comfortable and a bit more stylish.
My 3 yo just saw your icon picture and kept telling me, “That’s you, Mommy!”
Anyway–I wrote about Crocs on a WFMW about a month or two ago. I called them “Potty Training shoes.” If Kyle was wearing other shoes an accident caused a problem. With crocs and their odor repellent feature, there is no problem.
I do think that they are ugly, but they are comfy, and so handy, especially in messy situations.
I’m with you…I think they are ugly. They remind me of the birkenstock shoes that everyone wore because they were “comfortable.”
I still don’t own any and I haven’t tried them on but you make a good arguement for them.
~Amy
I prefer to download mp3s legally. You can read more about it and find online mp3 store reviews at my page – Online Mp3 Downloads
Musmon: I believe it is perfectly legal to interview my parents with their permission and digitally record family stories. It is also legal to record with my MP3 my own odd and assorted (often totally useless) ideas while driving down the road. Those are the types of uses I’ve suggested, none of which is a download. Perhaps you didn’t read my suggestions and realize what I was recommending.
What it is?
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it is a spam?