Quote of The Day

Thursday, July 04, 2013

Shoes and Shite

This is  a continuations of my icad shoe series and Summer of Color  week four  is pink and Charcoal grey! I'm including this in Paint Party Friday as well!! Happy Fourth of July to my American friends, wishing you  a safe and fun filled Celebration!!
When cupcake was little her dad took her out to buy me a Christmas present. She  found me some really nice pink panther slippers knowing how much I loved the character. The bottom wore out so I had a shoe maker put a leather sole on them. I got several more years out of them until my puppy chewed the ear off!! Years later for  my fiftieth birthday my daughter bought me a new pair of pink panther slippers, they weren't as durable as the first pair , but they sure brought a huge smile to my face!! I still wear them when I sit at my computer desk!

My mom was a hairdresser for 43 years, she had a shop in the basement of our home! In the seventies everyone looked like the stepford wives with the same brillo pad wash and wear perms. When my brother was eight he got into a fight while mom was working.

During the kerfuffle Dyno D was pushed onto a juniper bush where all the neighborhood dogs defecated. Soon he bolted into  moms salon with a head  full of doggie do-do crying that he had poop in his hair. Mom’s customers were aghast, they started gagging, and so did she. Mom pulled what she could out by hand then put him in the sink to be washed…..but ewwwww it was disgusting!!!!

We laughed for years about old poop head! I managed to remind him of the event at his wedding and it garnered a crowd of laughter. Especially since he's such a clean freak, known to have five or more showers a day! He laughed pretty hard too! That was the one time stepping in the dog dung would have been  a better alternative!
My daughter was in high school when I wrote a letter of praise to one of her teachers.  He called for permission to present it to the education board in support of his unconventional English program threatened by a group of disgruntled conventional English teachers. 
The next year, unbeknownst to me  my daughter landed in one of the angry teachers classes. I never understood why the teacher constantly made snide comments to Cupcake for no good reason. My girl, on the honor roll was now getting below her deserved grade. So she asked for direction from a trusted teacher who willingly guided her. Still she was under valued. 
So we tested the teacher, having two different qualified people do separate assignments. She got the same results. Cupcake said nothing but  ambled through the rest of the semester dedicated to her studies.  It was pointless to address the  teacher, we knew  cupcake could do nothing to  improve her grade!

During grad ceremonies, an extremely hot evening Cupcake wore a short skirt under her  grad gown, along with very high heels. The plump  English teacher in charge of the grad line looked at her and said," I hope you trip!" Stunned, my daughter was glad she was finished with the nasty spinster! Thankfully she didn't trip!
I was completely perplexed why she was adored by every other teacher,  and niggled by one. It would be years before I realized my  detailed letter  of praise for one teacher  had brought the wrath upon my daughter....My child had been caught in the labyrinth of educational politics!! It was quite the lesson.

Have you ever taken years to get answers for something that had you totally perplexed?

57 comments:

joy said...

Love all of your shoes and all of the quotes you used with them. I giggled while reading of your brother's doggy-do hair!

Yes, I can see that your praise of the not so popular teacher definitely got under the other teacher's skin. But, to be so unfair and, yes, MEAN to your daughter was very unprofessional and uncalled for. I think I would have had a serious talk with the principal!!!

dawn said...

LOVE LOVE these shoe posts so much!! It's so fun to read the stories you share and the funny sayings for each shoe. WOW, these shoes all look amazing!!

Way to go on these each week, I couldn't even attempt this!! LOVE IT!!

Netty said...

Terrific post and love all of your fab shoes. hugs Annette x

GlorV1 said...

Happy Fourth to you. Wow, your creativity never ceases to amaze me. Wonderful job. Love your stories too. Thanks. Happy PPF. I'll be posting later from one of my other blogs:
http://shininglife1.blogspot.com/

I am using this blog for a little while.:)

GlorV1 said...

I think I lost my comment. Again, love your shoes and your stories. Just awesome. Thank you and Happy Fourth and PPF!
I'm posting later to PPF from one of my other blogs:

http://shininglife1.blogspot.com/

Please do stop by. I will be using this blog for a bit. Take care, love your work.

Forgetfulone said...

Love all the paintings! And would love to know what you said praising one teacher that bothered another one so much. I know all about politics in education. Would love to get out of the field for that very reason.

sharon said...

Love all your shoes, in particular the pink one and the quote about sttitude.
Yes I have waited many years to find out why there was an attitude towards me, the finding out gave me understanding and I was able to let go. Finally. Of course you are in the draw!!!! Hugs Sharon.

Ginny said...

I love this series. All of the shoes were wonderful as were the stories and quotes to go with them.

So sorry Cupcake had to deal with such a teacher. Unfortunately, they do exist but luckily there are also the teachers like the one you wrote the positive letter for.

Joni Nickrent said...

Love all of your shoes! Fantastic colors and style! Happy PPF

Ayala Art said...

Yes, it has happened, and it is always illuminating.
I Love all the shoes!

Kristin Van Valkenburgh said...

xo

Faye said...

Sherrie, your shoes portraits are just fantastic and I love the sayings you have put with them. You have been a busy bee doing those index cards. Sorry your cupcake had to endure such a terrible, bitter teacher. My son had that same sort of troubles in school. It is hard to be the mother in these situations, too.

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful shoes! I used to always wear stylish shoes, but these days it has to be something sensible! Valerie

Tracey FK said...

educational politics is a curse... I hope that bitter old cow is still miserable... anyway her loss not adoring your girl... and the poop head story is exactly what i needed to hear this afternoon... Phantom thought it was hilarious... love to you all

ann @ studiohyde said...

Loving all these shoes...bliss! ツ

Linda Richardson said...

Yay for shoes! Love the one abut knowing when to walk away :-) xo L.

Anonymous said...

I had a similar story with my son, so I can appreciate the tale. Sometimes you get that aha moment when something that didn't make sense suddenly does and you can't imagine why you didn't figure it out in the first place....funny story about your brother, poor guy....no wonder he showers 5 times a day...lol xox

Erika said...

Ypur shoes are so amazing, dear Happy! I always have to smile :) HPPF Erika

Mary C. Nasser said...

Great shoe stories and accompaning artwork!
I especially love that last shoe painting and its quote. :)
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

PaintingWrite said...

More great stories this week. Your poor brother - that must've been so gross. I even hate picking up my own dogs' poo when they do their business, the smell gets in your nose but to have it stuck in your hair - eeeeuuuw! That's terrible that teacher was so unprofessional to let personal feelings cloud her ability to teach a child properly or award her the deserved grade. I'm glad Cupcake rose above her snide comments. She sounds like a bitter old woman with no joy in her own life - to be pitied really. Love the title of your post this week!

DVArtist said...

This is absolutely a wonderful post. Sorry your daughter was subjected to such an evil teacher. Poop head, what a great story. I too love your shoes.
Have a very nice weekend
Nicole/Beadwright

bellefrogworks said...

Wonderful post and love all the shoes! The doggy doo story made me gag all the way over here in South Carolina. My husband always changed the really bad diapers and I gag when I clean up after my own dog and she's small. I'm glad your brother has a sense of humor about it!!!

Deepa Gopal said...

Must I say that OMG!!!! Love your shoes again...and the quotes, they are AWESOME!!!
And yes, there have been occasions where I have taken years to understand...upon reflection and retrospection things were obvious which wasn't at that point of time!!!

Carolyn Dube said...

Fun shoes and quotes! Boo to that teacher- she is unwanted in the schools. Glad Cupcake did not trip!

Victoria said...

Fabulous..all of your shoes are so dazzling and full of life..gorgeous creations as always my friend..fantastical!!
Happy summer..Victoria

Debbie said...

Your shoes are fabulous and the poop story was so funny! It's sad your daughter had to put up with a bad person for a teacher, and never knew the reason while in school! At least she knows now.

Janet said...

I love the shoes and the quotes. I was a shoe person when I was younger and had tons of shoes. Now not so many!

I always enjoy your stories and this one about the dog poop was great!

Paper rainbow said...

Dog poo in the hair!!! Eukkkkyy I am sure he is not too fond of that memory! :) the story did make me lol though, I can't believe that teacher was so mean!!!!

Christine said...

yes the truth eventually kicks in after awhile, if something bothers you enough! Love your shoes for SOC and PPF!

Linda Kunsman said...

LOVE all your shoes and the quotes you chose for them-such a fabulous collection!! You really should consider having a book made of your shoes(I only thought how wonderful this would be as I just had a book made of my first year of blogging and can't wait for it to arrive!)!! I bet they'd sell like hot cakes! It's always a pleasure to read your stories too. Happy PPF!

SAMARA said...

whoa! what a story...the trials of school teachers. yes, my son had one this year (he is also on the honor roll) and handed in an assignment and got 12/100! He gasped! He asked to redo it. He handed in "the exact" paper 2 weeks later and got 92! Now, what would Cupcake make of that!!! She would probably have a good talk with Taylor about their similar stories of hell with certain self centred narcissistic teachers who LOVE control of .... wait for it .... "anyone!" but themselves! lol Now my dear Giggles: Your shoes are lovely and what I love are your sayings to match and tag the punch line of your story, along with the shoe. Some, the pink panther are the story, others...the words the story. but however you cut it...the posts are always so enjoyable, so real, so relate-able, so vulnerable and from one hell of a loving mommy! You Cupcake is very lucky to have you on her side...then and now! Lovies always, Samara

peggy gatto said...

Crazy wonderful fun shoes!!!
I had a good time at your shoe store!!!!!

Terri Morse said...

What a terrific post! I laughed out loud at the story of your brother, aka "poophead". The second story made me both mad and thoughtful. It made me mad that a teacher made a child the scapegoat for professional (or should I say, unprofessional?) jealousy. She obviously felt threatened by the unconventional teacher. It also reminded me that the usual cause for another person's meanness is their own sense of inadequacy. In answer to the question - I've spent a lifetime being perplexed :) I really enjoyed your shoe art! It's so cheerful, and when I was a kid, I'd have done anything for a pair of Pink Panther slippers! -Terri

A'n'G Johnson said...

Oh my goodness gracious, how unprofessional of that teacher. Those who can't do, teach... right?!

Jane Wetzel said...

Love the sweet shoes! The story was equally good..thanks for sharing. ALSO,Thanks for the "heads up" on my blog..about the (PPF)popping up on the wrong post :( I fixed it - I appreciate you letting me know! hugs, jane

soulbrush said...

Now you know how much I love your shoes, all of them! And as I have reached 65, there are loads of things that took me dozens of years to figure out. the good thing about being 65 is- if I haven't figured it out by now- who cares??? Ha ha.Happy PPF.

denthe said...

oh, some people can be so so narrow-minded. It always shocks me when teachers are like that, people who are supposed to help our kids grow up to become responsible adults. I sometimes wonder whether they realize just how important their influence can be on a child.... It must have been a hard year for Cupcake .... Love your shoe art again, and the quotes are wonderful ....

Unknown said...

Your posts and art works are always packed with energy and colours. It is very inspiring.Thank you so much for sharing.

Unknown said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your paintings and your post. Who knew you could totally weave stories and shoes together. Good advice too.

Shahrul Niza said...

I laughed so hard at the poop head story!! So sweet to tell the joke at his wedding too :). WOW, wonder why she became a teacher though??. Lucky your daughter happily survived!. LOVE all the shoes designs this week, and thanks for the good laugh :)

Sharon Fritchman said...

I always look forward to your posts for the SOC challenges! I love each and every shoe pair that you draw/paint! They are so creative and fun!!!!!

Tammy N said...

Love your shoe art-especially the pink panther slippers.

Ivy said...

Ha! shoes and shite...love that for a blog post title! Should be a blog too.lol Love your SOC shoes and enjoyed your post. HPPF!

Lorraine said...

fun shoes

janice smith said...

Love all those shoes and that story about your brother...good grief! I'd hate to be in your mother's shoes that day!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'm running very late for SOC, but had to stop by and see your shoes. Love all those quotes that go so well with the stories you entertain us with, too.

I feel for your daughter. I know the feeling. In grad school I had one prof who took great delight in persecuting me. However, by the time I got to grad school, I knew enough to not let him get under my skin. It became a battle of wits, and back then, I was far more witty than I seem to be in blogland today. He finally left me alone. Thankfully, I was NOT one of his students that first year while the persecution was going on. But, because it was a small group of grad students, we had to interact with him and all the profs. The next year he left me alone and moved on to tormenting someone else. I later surmised he picked on one new student each year, and I happened to be his "project" for that year. I'm glad your daughter was able to rise above the petty nonsense and bullying by one spiteful teacher.

Cris, Oregon Artist said...

Love your shoes. I lost a friend a last year who loved her shoes so much her husband put one on the table where you signed the book at the Memorial for her. HPPF

Miriam said...

visiting from SoC I love your shoe art and the stories that go with them. Yes we have been in a similar situation with our boy...some teachers are just plain bullies and shouldn't be in the job.

Maria Medeiros said...

Wonderful! Love the red ones!

Rita said...

I love these! The pink slippers are so cute!

Carol said...

So in love with your shoes!!!! The teacher story is very upsetting.... I hate it when those in charge of our children's education are so petty and mean spirited. I've run into a few of those over the years and I pray to be around when "Karma" turns on them :)

Natasha said...

Oh my gosh, how awful for your daughter, and what a nasty thing for the teacher to say. Vile, especially from an educator. Love your words and your work, most fabulous, I don't have a favourite, I am in love with all of them.

minnemie said...

Love the pink panthers -and that you still wear a pair:-)

Ritu Dua said...

OMG again such a collection of shoes ...you should opt for some shoe designing business...lovely lovely lovely :)

sharon said...

Hi Sherrie, guess what? You have won this weeks draw, My neighbour pulled out your number. So if you go to my blog and choose 2 cards from my postcard page I wil get them into the post for you, Oh I will need your snail mail address, so please could you email me at:
sharonrevans@xtra.co.nz
Hugs Sharon.

Jez said...

Wonderful shoes, beautiful art. Wonderful stories, beautifully told. Wonderful quotes, every one memorable.
I'm sorry to be so late commenting, because I always love your great posts. Can I use the word Wonderful again!!
Yes, I've had vicious people like that, and my younger daughter had a teacher with a 'downer' on her. On one occasion her class teacher sent her home from school at the age of 13 because she was wearing shiny patent leather shoes ....... and so the teacher said that the boys could see the reflection of her underpants in them!!! You couldn't make it up.

JKW said...

I am not a fan of pink but we won't go there. I love the BE ORIGINAL and the great shoe with it. . . YAY! Blessings, Janet PPF

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