JZ, I had good luck grabbing a variety of comfortable shoes from consignment shops. Barring that, Payless or Target.

Ebay often has new-in-box Stride Rites in the $15-20 range, and used ones for even cheaper. Other brands to look for: Keen, Merrell, Umi, Milo & Morgan, See Kai Run. Also, check thrift stores in fancy neighborhoods - at a size 7, kids often are still growing fast enough that they outgrow shoes well before wearing them out.

And, you've found an area where Matilda is bigger than Dillo! He is comfy, even roomy, in 6.5s still, at 30 months! (Note that his sister's very first pair of real shoes, bought at 15 months, are 7s).

Any other recommendations?

We got a fair number of shoes from Target when the kids were small.

And, you've found an area where Matilda is bigger than Dillo!

Poor thing, she's inherited both her mother's feet (big) and her father's (flattish, with long weird toes).

One of my officemates was just raving about See Kai Run, and in all the pictures I can find they look like they're nice and wide in the toes, which is definitely a plus.

Plei, we're hitting Goodwill after work today. (The circus schools on our block take their lost-and-found boxes to this Goodwill once a month, so, childish clothing-losing habits being what they are, it usually has a pretty good selection.)

For the other Etiquette-philes out there, a question now that Hilary has been confirmed as Secretary of State. Would she and Bill now be formally introduced as President and Secretary Clinton?

I guess they would, since it's Vice-President and Dr. Biden. So cool. What is she a doctor of?

JZ, I'm planning to go to the new TJ Maxx this weekend - you want I should look? (Provided, of course, that the Death Flu has not killed me. It's a bit touch and go at the moment.)

bon bon, have you considered Funky Sofa?

Things are worse in Iceland than I knew: Iceland Is Burning

"We are calling on the world to help us get rid of this corrupt government," Sturla Jonsson, one of protesters said in a midnight phone call from downtown Reykjavik where a crowd of about 2,000 still surrounded the Althingi House, in front of which a bonfire continued to burn. The protesters pounded drums and other instruments, shouted slogans against the government and parliament and threw eggs and food items, even old shoes at the house of parliament. The protest was nowhere close to slowing down despite it being close to midnight. The parliament postponed meeting until tomorrow afternoon, but protesters, whom police fought all day with teargas, pepperspray, and clubs, vowed to stay downtown all night, "and as long as we have to" Jonsson said. "And I want to tell you that the people gathered here are not "activists" or "militants," he added, "they are just ordinary adults of all ages."

One year ago, Iceland was named the most desirable country in the world. Today, its economy has been devastated by the catastrophic collapse of its three largest banks. Unemployment rose 45% between November and December, and a recent survey indicated that 40% of households and 70% of businesses were technically bankrupt. Since the fall of the banks in October, there have been no resignations from the government, the boards of the now nationalized banks have remained substantially the same, and weekly gatherings calling for new elections have been ignored.

I have a hard time wrapping my brain around those bankruptcy figures....

What is she a doctor of?

Education.

What's the problem with your CB sofa, Tom? Thanks for the Mitchell Gold rec, flea-- I have been looking at them too, but since I can't see the prices online, I'm wary about going to their LA store (which might be kind of a drive). Are they in line with CB? 1-2K?