Years ago, one of my brothers gave me a pair of slippers that I wore for years until I actually wore a hole in the sole (everyone in the family got a pair of slippers from him for Christmas that year). They were fuzzy on the inside and leather on the outside. I wore them all the time when I was at home and continue to buy a new pair of fuzzy slippers every few years or so, but what I didn't realize then was how important they would become.
Back in 2003, I began the two-and-a-half-year process of finally finishing my accounting degree. I was embarking on a new life with Jeffrey Walter, working full time, and raising three girls - it was time to get it done and I was almost 40. (Thank you, Jeffrey Walter!)
As I got started, I quickly learned that I'd be writing many, many research papers along with answering discussion questions daily. If I didn't read and answer daily, I'd quickly fall behind. Research papers were written either individually or as a team project, with many due on a weekly basis. I had managed to get out of high school without writing a research paper, but I wasn't going to get out of it in college. Little did I know that fuzzy slippers would become an integral part of the process.
With each of my classes being five weeks long, I spent many nights cramming as much writing as possible into the shortest period of time possible. I spent hours on the computer each night - researching, writing and compiling papers that were informative and hopefully coherent. Working with team members on group projects was tricky with students from various time zones, but we managed, and I often ended up being the person who pulled the various pieces together.
As the first year of classes passed from summer to fall then winter, there were many nights spent in pajamas and fuzzy slippers. I remember late nights where Jeffrey Walter, having gone to sleep hours earlier, would find me at the coffee table in the den or at my desk on the sun porch struggling to finish a paper. There were many nights where I'd finally get to bed around 1or 2am, only to get up at 5am or earlier - sometimes making lunches for Victoria Michelle, Elizabeth Anne and Laura Marie before school. (Coffee was really important too.) Things weren't easy, but I was determined to finish. I wanted to be an example to my girls as to why to get your degree BEFORE you have children.
Anyway, after a while, it became evident that fuzzy slippers were a necessity when writing. I don't know why, but somehow, I could find my writing muse while wearing the slippers. Technical college papers can be pretty boring - it's definitely not like writing a blog. There were times when I felt like I was just B-S-ing my way through and it seemed like the fuzzy slippers made it easier. That's when my fuzzy slippers became known as "Bull Shit Shoes" in our household. Any time I was working on school stuff, I had to make sure I was wearing them.
Once I finished school, I continued wearing fuzzy slippers. When I need some extra inspiration, they help. It's funny how much comfort AND inspiration they can provide. I'm even wearing a pair as I write this article. Now, whenever someone in the family is trying to write, I encourage them to wear some fuzzy slippers. I even gave a pair to someone I knew would need the extra "BS" ability the slippers could inspire.
Ah fuzzy slippers - I don't think I would have made it this far in life without them.
Do you have fuzzy slippers? Do they help you when you need a little extra inspiration or BS ability? What provides you with extra inspiration when needed?
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