Posted by Jessica Ward on 10/28/10 7:51pm
Msg #358646
Wet feet--What to do?
Ok, This might be an isolated problem, to those of us in the Pacific Northwest, but three nights last week I had closings where I arrived in the dark, parked and opened the car door and stepped ankle-deep into unseen puddles.
In two of those instances, the water wicked up my trousers to mid-shin, and I found myself messy and freezing for the late closings, not to mention, I had to go into someone's house while damp.
I'm contemplating galoshes or similar for these really awful rainy nights, and just taking them off at the porch (usually driveways, and front walkways are the worst), but galoshes seem so very unprofessional (perhaps not as bad as water to mid-shin).
Alternately, I'll consider switching to knee-length skirts or something in lieu of trousers, but still, I will freeze if I land in another puddle!
What is your opinion? Are rain boots unprofessional for house-calls?
I carry slippers/folding flats in my bag for shoes-off-houses, which I could switch into but this also seems awkward.
| Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/28/10 9:21pm
Msg #358662
Just a thought.
My daughter has a pair of these. She is in a college in a wet climate...
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3054888?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=shoes:women:boots&cm_ite=chooka_signature_plaid_rain_boot_%28women%29:271058&cm_ven=Froogle&GANTrackingID=nord_1277859846
Or I just Googled "Stylish rain boots"
http://www.google.com/images?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=stylish+rain+boots+for+women&oe=utf-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=747&bih=372
| Reply by jba/fl on 10/28/10 10:14pm
Msg #358673
I can't believe all the wonderful styles available. I need some waterproof boots for kayaking and some of these are just plain fun and what sporting goods stores have are the equivalent of those old yellow galoshes of many, many moons ago. I need to be trying some of these on
How cool are these:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/3110957?origin=related-3110957-0-0-2
or these:
http://www.thisnext.com/item/75905078/Koi-wellies
| Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/28/10 11:54pm
Msg #358688
It's 1967 again!! n/m
| Reply by MW/VA on 10/28/10 9:41pm
Msg #358664
There are some very fashionable rain boots available these days. I don't think it would be inappropriate to wear them when necessary. It sure beats ruining good shoes in bad weather.
| Reply by Kay/IL on 10/28/10 9:44pm
Msg #358665
These are not the days of the oversized and awkward yellow galoshes from way back in the day...........
There are many warm and cute rain boots out there that can add on to your already professional, stylish look. Check out Nordstrom's, Macy's, and Zappos for ideas.
And if you're already live in a rainy climate, I doubt whether the borrower's would be that concerned whether you wore them. They know what's time it is (or at least should). As long as you're not tracking mud in their house and you offer them superb notary service, they should be good...
| Reply by DD/OR on 10/28/10 10:24pm
Msg #358674
I live in Oregon so I know what you mean, only too well. In the city where I live, the streetlights are orange and not bright at all. As a result, at night, you can't see street signs or addresses very good. To add to the problem, the people here don't display their addresses very good. Addresses are not on the curbs. Sometimes the address is on the house but in a place where you can't see them or they are hard to see.
One night last year I went to a signing. It was raining and I had trouble finding the house. I kept having to get out of my car to walk up to houses to look at the address. Well, I saw a row of mailboxes and I walked over to look at the addresses on them. It was dark and raining and I didn't see the curb. I fell up the curb and fell flat on my face. I couldn't believe it. I just sat there stunned. Rain was pouring down on me and I was soaking wet. I found the house and I explained to the borrower what had happened. I looked a mess. Anyway, long story short, I don't look forward to winters anymore.
| Reply by Dorothy_MI on 10/29/10 9:48am
Msg #358725
When you can't see the house number in the dark
A tip my girlfriend taught me; when you can't see house numbers in the dark, call the people and ask them to flick on and off their porch light. That way you know exactly which house to drive to (works in every case EXCEPT when they tell you that the porch light is burned out. Then you have two problems -- finding the house and stumbling up their steps in the dark LOL)
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/29/10 3:03pm
Msg #358805
When you can't see the house number in the dark-carry a lite
Years ago, I bought one of those big-a$$ police flashlights (Magnalite?) with a strong adjustable beam at Costco for about $20. I don't think I could function without it. It also came with a smaller purse/pocket size one that's great for getting from the car to the door in one piece.
Indispensable tools for our business, imo.
| Reply by BrendaTx on 10/28/10 11:02pm
Msg #358683
Pacific Northwest? Abolutely!!
I would think rubber boots would be a standard item in any woman's costume closet.
I prefer to think of getting dressed for each day as putting on a costume and playing a role I love. There's just not enough whimsy or imagination in this world any more. I use it whenever possible. And, at this age, realistically, playing 'the role' is as close as I'm getting to actually being able to fill the position of "Queen of the World".
| Reply by BrendaTx on 10/28/10 11:04pm
Msg #358684
Of course, I meant "Absolutely".
Don't have on the right glasses right now. These must be part of the Princess Bride props...apparently, something for a much younger woman.
| Reply by Jessica Ward on 10/28/10 11:20pm
Msg #358687
Re: Pacific Northwest? Abolutely!!
Thank you all for backing up my idea of rubber boots (provided they're not gawdy, but I do love the owl and fish ones!).
I've not had rubber boots since I was a kid mucking stalls, so I still think of them as barn attire, and a little part of me dies when I try to think of them as professional, but the logical side of me is saying that if I ruin another pair of slacks this fall, it's time for a new line of work.
For the past 10 years I worked in corporate offices of construction companies, and had a pair of black, waterproof motorcycle boots that actually (under trousers) looked like plain black shoes. As soon as I left my job (2 years ago) I gave them away because they were so awful and heavy. Before that, when I worked in politics, I'd wear my jeans and sweatshirts to work with waterproof hiking boots, and then change into the "dry clean only" garb at the office, and I never had to leave my desk. I can't see wearing the hiking boots to a closing though, as they take forever to lace up.
Last year was really dry here, and I wasn't doing 4-8 closings a day--it was more or like 1 or 2 on a good day.
This year is that famous "La Nina" year, and autumn hit us like a ton of, well, rain. Another winter of watching the moss grow. Blergh.
I'm skirting the rules and putting my snow tires on this weekend, even though it's a few days early. I can see the snow on the hills above my place and I'm still getting mountain pass closing requests. I may also practice putting the chains on as it's been a few years since I had to do that.
| Reply by Shauna/WA on 10/29/10 11:01am
Msg #358744
My solution
I wear leather boots (treated). I either wear them with a skirt/dress or shoved into my pants when walking up to doorsteps. They're super stylish, work with anything and everything and are so comfy. The link below are the ones I wear. One in black and the other in the brown.
http://www.zappos.com/frye-dorado-riding-spice-leather
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