Out with the old; In with the new

Yesterday was my 22^nd wedding anniversary.  There was no grand celebration or special trip – just a typical day.  With one exception; I bought my husband new shoes.  Please don’t laugh.  Let me tell you the story.  Before I can tell the story though, I need to let you in on a few facts.

In the weeks before our wedding, we purchased a microwave oven for our home.  It is still in operation today.  In the appliance department, the microwave, along with a coffee pot, has endured the entire tenure of my marriage.  In close second is my washer and dryer.  They were purchased four years into our marriage while I was pregnant with my first child.  This week, the washer cleaned its last load.  Now, in its place is the most beautiful washing machine.  It has more buttons than I know what to do with!  It is my early Christmas present from the in-laws and I am very, very thankful.  My favorite feature of the washing machine is that it plays a song to let me know my clothes are finished.  

In third place were my husband’s dress shoes.  He purchased these shoes in a hurried shopping trip to Walmart when our daughter was two-years-old.  If my memory is correct, we were going to a funeral the next day and he had no appropriate footwear.  Since then, he has worn these shoes to every church service, wedding, special event and funeral we have attended over the last 14 years.  People, the shoes were old! And by now, you can only imagine how ugly.  Well here – judge for yourself.

14 year old shoes

 

When he installed my new washing machine on Friday it made me realize how old so many things were in the house.  I did not think about the coffee pot, or my cookware, or even our master bedroom furniture (psst – it is 30 years old).  No, what came to my mind were his worn-out, dress shoes.  It was time to toss them out the door with the washing machine.

After dinner yesterday, I took him to DSW and he found an incredible pair of fashionable, comfortable shoes.  They were on clearance - woo hoo!  Here is a photo of the new ones:

He wore them to church today.

I am still patiently waiting for the day when I can replace the bedroom furniture and the microwave.  My excitement and joy over a washing machine has been great.  I can’t imagine how enthused I will be when I get new furniture and a microwave that does not sit on the counter.  I know, I know – it’s so retro. 

Do you have an item in your home that you are ready to toss and replace?