Thanksgiving Challenge 2021: Warm Feet

The following is an entry in the Thanksgiving Challenge 2021. The challenge is simple. Post something you are thankful for, 10 days in a row. Anything at all.

 

I am thankful for warm feet.

 

Yep, who would be thankful enough for warm feet to write a blog about them?

 

Me! I have spent most of my life with frozen feet. And now I am in Montana, luckily in a part of Montana that has easier winters than those I dealt with in New York. I have definitely found there are a lot of benefits to dry air! But, cold is cold, and my tootsies still have to deal with chilly weather. So... how is it that I finally have warm feet?

 

First, toe warmers. These things are life savers. I learned that following the directions and sticking the adhesive directly on your socks ruins your socks. When you pull the warmers off at the end of the day, part of your sock comes with them. So what you should do instead is to leave the covers on the adhesive. Then, just place the toe warmers under your socks in your shoes. That's it. Face the non-adhesive side down. The product warms up and stays warm for about 10 hours. So you can go out in the snow, wander around in below zero weather, and your feet will stay warm. I did also learn one other very important thing...

 

Do not put them in your shoes or boots AFTER your feet are cold. Keep your feet warm before you go out, then add them to your boots, and then put your feet in there. You will be toasty! If your feet are already cold they will not warm up.

 

I know this because I leave for Habitat for Humanity early in the morning before the sun comes up. In the winter, it can be very chilly. If I put these in my boots before I leave and my feet were already warm, my feet remain toasty even if I'm standing still outside during our morning safety briefing, and even if I spend the entire 7 hours outside shoveling, or doing outside work.

 

So toe warmers are an amazing thing.

 

The next important factor is footwear. Wearing the right footwear can be the difference between having ice blocks in your shoes or having toasty piggies. So these are my three warmest boots at the moment:

 

Starting at the left, we have my Icebug boots, which are studded boots made in Sweden. I bought them because there are mornings our driveway has ice on it, and it's easier to traipse around with cleats.  What I found is not only do they keep me stable no matter what the condition, but they are also warm and toasty.

 

The middle pair are my Bogs. They are actually just rain boots, and are not specifically made for winter. But they are the warmest things I own. I don't know whether it's the 100% waterproofing, the inside material or all the rubber around my feet, but I often don't even need toe warmers with these. They're amazing.

 

And then on the right are my 100% waterproof Columbia boots with Omni-heat. Omni-heat is that material that looks like it comes from the inside of a soft cooler. Again, I'm not sure exactly what it is about these boots that keeps my feet warm, but they are also perfect.

 

Oh and of course don't forget good slippers!

 

For those reading this post who will only wear beautiful sexy boots with high heels, I know the above photo of boots might make you cringe. But when you spend most of your time walking around on gravel roads and through the woods, you've got to wear something practical! And these do it for me.

 

Now the only missing factor in the warm feet equation is socks! I'm not going to show you a photo of my sock drawer, but let's just say I love warm socks. The smart wool seems to work well, as do the socks called heat holders. They are thick but they do hold the heat.

 

And there you have the way to warm footsies. I am very grateful I have figured out the solutions for my own feet. And my feet are grateful as well.

Licensed Broker, CBR®

 

eXp Realty LLC

P.O. Box 10458

Kalispell, MT 59904

 

email: kat@thehousekat.com

www.thehousekat.com

 

406-270-3667 (MT)