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[caption id="attachment_1760" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="I Heart Casual Fridays"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB050179.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1760" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB050179-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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<p>Did you notice that cowgirl boots were "in" last winter?  I decided that I needed a pair.  Reminded me of circa early 90s in Houston when I owned a great pair of red and black cowgirl boots.  I loved those boots. </p>

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<p>Giddyup! </p>

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<p>The only snag from last winter was that I couldn't find a pair that I liked that FIT.  Argh. </p>

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<p>Fast forward to last weekend when Dina <em>dah</em>ling and I ventured to Macy's after breakfast at our favorite little haunt.  (<a href="http://www.lagrandeorangegrocery.com/" target="_blank"><strong>LGO</strong></a> for all of my locals peeps.) </p>

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<p>I saw the boots from across the crowded room.  I slowly approached, wanting to make a move but afraid that I would be left stranded like last season.  The salesman tempted me with a breathy, "What size are you?" </p>

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<p>"6", I answered, as if under a spell. </p>

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<p>The salesman returned with size 6 in hand and promises of Happy Ever After.  "One of our associates purchased these and started wearing them immediately here at work.  She insists that they are the most comfortable boots she's ever worn!" </p>

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<p>Sigh...</p>

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<p>I tried them on and...</p>

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<p>They fit like a glove.  Which is infinitely more comfortable than a glass slipper. </p>

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<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="color: #800080;">And when the cowgirl boot fits, then you <em>must</em> wear it sister! <br class="spacer_" /></span></strong></span></p>

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<p>Dina <em>dah</em>ling didn't quite understand my lust for the boots.  "Why do you want a pair of cowgirl boots?" </p>

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<p>???</p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Because they're sassy.  And they look great with jeans.  Which I <em>live</em> in all winter.  And they're comfy.  <em>Especially</em> these. </p>

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<p>And I will need them for when I go out to a country bar to try two-stepping for this blog! </p>

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<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:</strong>  Oh. </p>

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<p>I wore my cowgirl boots for the first time on day 41 which also happened to be casual Friday at work.  I walked into the building with a little bit of sass in my step, which apparently did not go unnoticed. </p>

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<p>My friend Elaine aka Laney popped her head around the corner and blurted, "I wondered who that hippie chick was with the great boots and the big wavy hair and the sunglasses." </p>

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<p><span style="color: #800080;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I instantly felt very Sheryl Crow-ish.  I could get used to this. </strong></span></span></p>

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<p>A few minutes later, Kassy and Tiana (aka "Hollywood" because she's Halle Berry's twin) chimed in unison that they loved the boots.  Were they new?  Hollywood wanted to know more about them. </p>

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<p>"They're that Born brand," I sheepishly confessed.  (I pronounced it Bjorn, and Hollywood corrected me.  It's just plain Born.  I'm thinking that I was adding the Scandinavian touch to make them seem more exotic and cool.  Furthermore, I think I might stick with my delusional pronunciation because I like it.)   "I've never looked at the Born (mispronounced Bjorn by me) shoes before because aren't they one of those comfy-dorky brands?"</p>

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<p>"<em>I </em>have Born shoes!  They are super comfy and cute!  They are my favorite shoes <em>ever!</em>"  declared Hollywood.  And if Hollywood thinks they're fabulous, well... then they are! </p>

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<p>Laney echoed Hollywood.  In fact, she was wearing a pair of Borns as we spoke!  And she looks like a Cover Girl model, so it's official.  Borns (Bjorns) are <em>not </em>dorky.</p>

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<p>The boot mojo continued throughout the day.  After work, I headed to a swanky Girls' Night in Snobbsdale hosted by a friend of Kimmeee's.  I realized that the freeway exit was the same exit of a former beau who is still a dear friend of mine.  I called to leave a voicemail saying, "Hi!  I'm passing through your hood. Thinking of you and hope you are well!" </p>

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<p>I wasn't expecting Former Beau (he asked me not to use his name due to an upcoming comment) to answer his phone at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.  And then beg for a drive-by hug. </p>

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<p>Yep.  I am not making this up.   He practically begged me to stop by for a hug.  He promised to keep me for only 60 seconds. </p>

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<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="color: #800080;">At first, I thought he was joking.  But no, he was serious.  And apparently in dire need of a little tenderness.  My life is so quirky, isn't it?  :-) </span></strong></span></p>

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<p>So since a man has never pleaded for a drive-by hug before, I thought, "Why not?"  Isn't this a year of curious adventures?" </p>

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<p>I arrived at his house and told him I needed more than 60 seconds because nature called.  He took one look at my boots and said (and here is why he wanted to remain anonymous), "Those are great boots!  I would do you in those boots." </p>

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<p>Okaaayyyyy...I'm not going to have ex-sex anytime soon, but I'll take the compliment!  I look like Sheryl Crow and good-looking men want to do me on the spot. <em> I could get used to this!  </em></p>

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<p>Former Beau complimented me yet again with, "You're totally rockin' the mid-30s."  I remind you that I'm 41, so I was a tad disappointed that he only went down to mid-30s. </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Mid-30s meaning 36, or mid-30s meaning 33???</p>

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<p><strong>Former Beau:</strong>  <em>(confused)  </em>Mid-30s meaning 34!  The boots, the wavy hair, the white teeth -- yeah, a sexy 34!</p>

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<p>Hmph. </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  O.k.  Whatever.  I'll take it.  I need to get to the party. </p>

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<p>We hugged. </p>

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<p><span style="color: #800080;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>And <em>THIS </em>is where the real magic happened, ladies and 3 token gents. </strong></span></span></p>

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<p>At the Girl's Night, Kimmeee introduced me to her friends, and they naturally inquired as to how we knew each other. </p>

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<p>Kimmeee explained that I was her daughers' first preschool teacher, and we have remained friends ever since.  Her eldest daughter is now 18, so it's been a loooonng time. </p>

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<p>Cami looked shocked.  "But Michelle!  You don't look all that much older than 18!" </p>

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<p>Yes, it's true.  That's exactly what she said.  This.  Made.  My.  Year. </p>

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<p>Now the woman was drinking wine, and this was a house party so think "soft lighting", but she wasn't drunk.  She's a lawyer in Real Life.  She's a responsible and highly intelligent woman!  And bless her heart, she thinks I'm barely out of college.  I love her.  She is my new best friend. </p>

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<p>It gets better.  The other women (all brainiac lawyers -- Kimmeee probably invited me as the evening's comic relief) furiously nodded their heads "yes" -- that I must be in my 20s.  I told them about Former Beau's "sexy 34" comment.  They shook their heads "NO!" </p>

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<p>The swankiest and most stylish of the lawyers proclaimed, "He's just jealous!  He doesn't want anyone else to have you!" </p>

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<p>And this is how I became an honorary 20-something on Day 41. </p>

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<p>I suspect that the boot mojo played a large part in all of this age hocus pocus.  I really don't look like a 20-something.  I'm telling you -- the boots brought on a different persona! </p>

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<p>GIDDYUP!  Who<em> couldn't </em>get used to this???</p>

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<p><span style="color: #800080;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>In conclusion, ladies, I am sharing my fountain of youth secret with you today.  No need to spend money on Botox, expensive skin treatments, or plastic surgery when all you need is a fantastic pair of cowgirl boots. </strong></span></span></p>

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<p>Now repeat after me:  "Are you ready boots?  Start walkin'!"</p>

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