my shoes also came in today, and they fit perfectly. that's a size 7 kids shoe.

so, i ended up with

1) size 7 kids pink puma classics with what is a questionable sole for girlishness use. the ad said rubber, but i think it's pvc. disappointing. i'm going to keep these because they're cute, but i may get an adult pair, too.
2) size 9 women's black suede rubber platforms, which are sort of dressier. i wanted these to be walking shoes due to the huge rubber soles, but they're kind of too nice to trudge around in and i think i'm going to put them aside.
3) size 8.5 women's mid-top black canvas vans, with rubber sole & pink laces. these are probably better for long walks, even if the soles aren't quite as thick. i would see these as more expendable.
4) size 7 men's waterproof hiking boots, brownish, ozark trail. these are for walking around in the slush. growing up in ottawa, i've usually had a pair of boots like this, but i initially decided i wouldn't need them in windsor. i'm hoping these last a while and can be pulled out when useful.

i already had

5) size 6 children's rain boots, bluish. these should last for years.
6) size 6 children's winter boots, black. i'm going to need to touch these up a little as there's some hairline cracks in the front, but these are what i'll use to go out in the actual snow, if or when i have to. if i can fix the cracks and just wear them when necessary, these could last years and years.
7) falling apart airwalk classics that were size 9 women's.
8) some falling apart walking shoes i bought at the dollar store.

outside of potentially buying a second pair of puma classics in search of more clearly rubber soles, the last thing i'm going to want is a pair of super cheap shoes for bicycling. i considered shoe gooing the airwalks, but the bottoms are just trash - which is frustrating because the shoes themselves are otherwise so much better built than any of the others around the heel and the toe. if i could find another pair of them, and just replace the sole altogether, though...

and, i think that should probably last me quite a long time, hopefully. i mean, that's the intent; this isn't frivolous. i'm trying to figure out my footwear needs for the next several years now, while i have a good opportunity, and then ensure i don't have to worry about it for a while. i now have rain boots, snow boots, slush boots, cute running shoes (with a skate rubber sole), dressy platform shoes and what seem like pretty comfortable utility shoes (also with a skate rubber sole). i can probably benefit from a second pair of decently built running shoes, and i need some kind of cheap throwaways for utility. but, that should do me. really. for a while..

i'm 5' 8", i don't feel i need heels or pumps. and, i don't exist in the business world, either. i've had these discussions with people at bars "i wish i wore more comfortable shoes". i wish you did, too. really. i have some girlier shoes, but i don't have a lot of opportunities to wear them, and don't see the use in spending money on them.