"Oh you're so tall" (referring to Fiona)
"How long are your legs?" (everyone about Kat)


"You're taller than I expected" (Marlene & Sue to Avril)
"Oh you're quieter than I thought" (probably everybody referring to me)
"Oh you sound totally different to what I thought you would!" (everyone to everyone)
"Oh, she's just so cool"(people behind Marlene's back)
"Oh you're so thin!" (referring to Joanna)
"Oh you're not quite as short as I'd thought you'd be" (someone to me but I was wearing heels)
"You're tiny "(me to Natalie)
"You're how old - never???" (me to Helen)
"Why don't you put your head on your pictures?" (in general to me)

The weather has warmed up a fraction and I have recently become reacquainted with my Converse. As a result I have become sneaker obsessed. I'm not prepared to suffer (very) cold feet in the name of fashion so sneakers seem like a good option for the time being as sock wearing is allowed.

So having experienced a little dye transfer from my jeans to my Converse, this sparked the sudden desire for a pair of dark sneakers which would disguise this happening in the future.

I already have two pairs of Converse so I thought it was time to give some love to another brand and besides a change is as good as a rest. I started off initially looking at the Adidas Gazelles in a lovely navy. But then I thought no - I want some forest green ones. They only do them in this shade of green for men, not women. I find it rather unfair that the men have oodles of colours and the very few women's colours that they have can be counted on one hand. Pah! I also admit it would not normally bother my small brain but if I'm in the market for sneakers - I want a good selection.



Definitely old school aren't they? Hence they come up under the banner of Adidas Originals. By chance, the babysitter (a nice young man) came in wearing some black Adidas Gazelles and I said to him "Are those Gola?". I like to wind the young 'uns up sometimes and I scored big time here because the nice young man looked seriously unimpressed. Thinking about it now, it was probably not a very wise thing to do seeing as how I was leaving my children in his care after having just insulted him. It also confirmed my suspicions that Gola doesn't rank in the under twenties stratosphere of coolness. Which is a shame because I rather like the Gola trainers I've seen on my travels. Something in my head says they are actually quite cool as these are a blast from the past. And I love the colours.

Talking of traditional style sneakers - the Nike Blazers started preying on my mind. I was particularly drawn to the yellow ones for some reason but these are as practical as a chocolate fireguard with my two boys jumping on my feet and the likelihood of jean dye turning the yellow suede green around the edges. I even stalked a cherry red pair on Ebay for a few days and then suddenly awoke from the fog because I knew that if I were to have cherry red sneakers on the end of my feet, I would spend all day looking at my feet. Which means I wouldn't get anything done. So I decided not to go there.



Golden Goose trainers seeped in to my consciousness and seeped out just as fast again when I clocked the prices ....




.... and isn't it rather strange why we have to pay more for things which look knackered for want of a better word? I also looked at Ash, Onitsuka Tigers, Leather Crown and many more.

Yesterday, I did have a day out in Leeds all by myself with the Grumps blessing and I had time to go and peruse trainers till I could peruse trainers no more. I found some maroon coloured Puma's, not dissimilar to the Nike Blazers and yes - just as I thought - I couldn't stop looking at my feet. I had to leave them - I was too mesmerised by the colour. I eventually came across a dark grey pair of Blazers in Schuh which seemed to fit the bill and didn't look too alien on my feet. The idea is that they wouldn't look out of place in my wardrobe and don't make people think "they're a bit strange for Sue".

I took them home with me because they came with a 365 day returns policy which is beyond reasonable and because the nice girl who was helping me was complimentary about my age when I said they might they be a bit young for me. We played the guess my age game (she started it) and I came away good. Yay!

So I'm all in a quandary. I quite like them but I'm not sure if I suit my Converse more or maybe I'm so used to seeing them, it's hard to see yourself in something different. So I'm going to put it out there and ask what you think? Too young, too retro? Do you like them but wouldn't wear them? Like them but not the colour? Hate them - full stop. All opinions welcome.

Oh yes - and what sneakers do you wear? If you wear them?

• I chose to use the more Americanised term "sneakers" as to me they are a more casual everyday type of leisure footwear.

• Trainers sound more "hard core". Like I'm going to do the London marathon and I need some new trainers. You know what I mean - proper gym shoes!

• The Schuh stores return policy is much better than the Office Shoes one as they will give you a refund even after 365 days. Office shoes will only allow a store credit or exchange which is very bad for people who can't make their minds up (like me). Just so you know.

The single review online says it is too thin and too big. I say it is just right and loose fit. It is a vintage cotton - hence the nice light weight and they've tried to achieve that softness that you would associate with an old tee which has been through a few washes and is now an old friend. Interestingly enough, Matalan have another tee (comes in marl grey) which they are labelling as the perfect tee and that is a different kettle of fish altogether - denser weave, heavier cotton, more fitted and a little bit smarter. It all depends on what you like.

And what I like as you can see is non clingy, scoop necked, plain tees. I think Ive been slowly building up a collection ....

Quicky post today. I'm off to a lovely kids birthday disco at the village hall shortly.

February 14th. The day after the 13th and the day before the 15th. Valentines day. I don't really celebrate it but I know there are some old sops out there who really enjoy it. Maybe it's because we've been married some time now, maybe it's because we're not the romantic kind anyway, maybe we don't like the commercialism and the overpriced flowers on this day but we've mutually agreed to let this day pass by without any hoo-ha. I always say, take me out the week after or buy me flowers when I don't expect it but I prefer the gestures which come naturally rather than the ones which are forced out because someone somewhere declared that it should be so.

And what could be nicer than a lunch date on Valentines day with the Grumps today when I least expected it. I was busily entertaining George in the car showroom and taking pictures of my feet whilst waiting for my car  .....


...... when I had a text asking me where I was and did I fancy lunch? Yes why not indeed? These offers are few and far in between! George and I made our way back in to Leeds. We walked past the market car park where they were setting up the big wheel for the annual Valentines fair ....