Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Review on the Best Comfort Shoe





I don't usually promote something like this. But, I have to tell you that Jambu shoes are wonderful. They have done right by me. In the last few years, I have had medical issues with my back, hips, and my feet without resolution. I am going to have to give you background information leading up to this post.

 I have gone to doctors, orthopedics, podiatrists. Nothing seemed to help the pain I was in. I had bought Sketchers, for work. I later learned that was the worst thing for my feet and hips.  But, of course no one tells you that you are suppose only wear them for a couple hours.

I was having trouble getting out of my car, and into my car.  By the way, I was only in my early 50's. At the time I thought this was normal getting older. But, later learned this is not the case. 

My hips were hurting me. I did not know why. Then most recently I was in a car accident. I didn't know if this exacerbated the problem. Before the accident.   I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  There isn't any definitive test, but just assumptions.  

I went to a podiatrist who told me the best thing is orthotics. Not everyone is the same. I tried it for two years. Then finally realized my feet felt alot better without them in my shoes.  I  did some research on my own online about shoes.  I looked at so many shoes, I had to get rid of all my beautiful high heels, and chic shoes and now, to go with comfort. But, you can find cute shoes that are comfortable, that do have style. Just not the sophisticated shoe I used to wear.
Now, this past year I tried so many shoes, between Naot's, Sketchers,Orthoheels,,New Balance, sneakers, and then it was getting so ridiculous looking at shoes with the gimicks. Shoes with springs.

I then saw a pair of Jambu shoes, I was skeptical. How can a pair of shoes like these have good support. Believe me, they do. They don't look like they would hold up. But they do. I work nine hours a day at Walmart, and they hold up. I don't like spending alot on shoes. But, my Grandtmother used to tell me, shoes are the most important thing. Clothes don't give you comfort, they give you style. But, shoes are the most important. 

Now, the shoes are very flexible and you would wear them to the beach. They have alot of cushion that you feel like you are walking on air.  Here are the shoes I bought last year. Believe it they hold up. I was just diagnosed with Congentive Disc Disease. With severe back pain at times at work, getting in the car, out of the car. I still have the problems, but less severe.   I then last week bought a Jambu, sandal I just love them.  Both of them are so comfortable. 

I am not suggesting you to go out and buy them right away. Not every shoe is right for each person with the same back and feet problems. I should know, I went through alot trying to find a good pair of shoes.  



 
One other thing, I would like to suggest, are socks. I bought socks from Dr. Scholl's, Health Strides Tri-Zone. They are terrific. They are for working feet. I never thought they would do anything. But, boy with my Asic sneakers that I also bought recenty for my feet problems they are a good combination.


 The socks I bought from Walmart. But, unfortunately they don't sell them there anymore. But, you can buy them on Amazon. They are a bit more. But, it is worth it.  One other thing if you don't know this you can get deep discounts at Amazon when you buy online. You just have to keep watching. 

Both these shoes were priced at $100. I just waited it out till the price dropped. Both of them I saved quite a bit. The other shoes that I bought recently are Dansko's and Clark's both sandals. I love these shoes. But, like I said before each person is different. So go to the shoe store and check first before buying. I am not a doctor. I am a retired nurse. This is my personal taste. I am so glad I found my Jambu's. I just bought another kind yesterday, and plan on buying one one more pair. I can't rave enough about them.  I hope I have helped someone. There are shoes out there for everyone. Don't give up hope, You just have to be patient. 

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Girls of Atomic City: Book Club and Review




The Girls of Atomic City
By Denise Kiernan


Do you remember the pictures and signs during the war, of Rosie the Riveter? Do you know who Rosie, the Riveter is?



My grandmother was one of those ladies at the factory, and in the navy yards in Boston. Like many she helped and contributed for the war effort. She made the planes in the navy yards in Boston. That is my story, but posted below is another forgotten story that was kept secret till after the war.


Before World War two, the town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee didn't exist. But then a secret was going on in this no name town.  Mostly women, of 75,000, were been recruited for this special work to help the war effort. No one had idea what the secret was except unless you were higher up in the government.

The girls had no idea what kind of work it was. All they knew was what they were doing at the moment.  No one was to speak about anything among the four walls. If you know anything about the Manhattan project, and Oppenheimer, and Hiroshima Japan,  you don't know everything. You will learn more about the project. I did my own research and found a interesting video from the history channel talking about Oak Ridge.

 Most people think everything happened in New Mexico. Not true. It started actually in Chicago, then moved to New York City, then to Oak Ridge Tennessee, and then to New Mexico.  Most women still to this day, if they had anything to do with this project. Don't have any idea what they contributed, and what they did for the war effort.

The true events happened during and at the end the war. and The race to build the first atomic bomb.  These women were factory worker, chemists, engineers, etc.  You have to realize the time when this happened. Women were not allowed to advance themselves to be chemists, engineers, doctor's etc. Most of the women during that time had to pick another field if they were well educated. But, during WW2, The war changed everything. Women were finally allowed to work out of their homes, wear pants, etc. The men were in Europe fighting the war. That left the women at the home front to work.

This project had so many different aspects to talk about, social emotional, religious, politics.There was segregation among the Afro- Americans. They could not sleep in the same hut. There were experiments being conducted on a few Afro-American. These kinds of experiments would not happen now in 2014. There were  experiments that were conducted on a few black men for the sake of science. They introduced radiation in their system, No questions asked. The patients had no idea. Just like, Henrietta Lacks.  They got away with it.

  My favorite part of the book was the history of the start of the atomic bomb. How they split the atoms to make the atomic bomb, by the way a Jewish woman was involved. But even at the end she did not get recognition for it.  The part that was intriguing was how these women learned what they did after the bombing of Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, and their reaction. How do you think you would feel about the secret?? Can you imagine the shock and disbelieve about Hiroshima. Some of them felt guilt, shame, others were happy, because it was the end of the war.

 Some of them to this day still don't know what part they played in history. Can you imagine your supervisor telling you to do something, but you don't know rhym or reason.  I would be fired off the spot. I know my self, I would want to know why. I would be asking my co-workers why. I would not make it too far. The women were suppose to not allow the counter to go up a certain point. There was a competition against the women, vs. the scientists, the women won.




The social aspect was interesting in the town. Many women and men got together. They had dances. The dating and the competition of the women to get a man. There was a woman so bored, she stole the pipes that were made, and turned it into a frying pan to make biscuits. She  started a little business going on with out the higher ups knowing about it.

 Some women's lives changed after the war when the men came back. They continued to work out side the home. But, many women decided they still liked taking care of their husband's and children. But, this did open up more opportunities for women.   These women's lives changed for ever after the war.

But the biggest thing was how did these people kept a secret? You weren't allowed to  share conversation even with your co workers. There were signs everywhere, Big brother is watching.



  Now with the age of computers do you really think it would be kept, hush, hush. With Facebook and other social networks. I don't think so. I think it would have leaked out. Anyone would tell for the right price.


 Below is the documentary of Oak Ridge Tennessee. I have part one of three posted. You can see the other two on youtube. It is worth seeing while reading the book.





             A couple of the girls dressed up for the occasion as Rosie, the Riverter.

                     

         I recommend Girls of Atomic City if you are a history buff, and love to hear of women in strength. It is a great read for book club with great discussion. You won't believe what comes up after reading this. This is one of our best discussions we have had in a great while.