Friday Frustrations

Oh, this is a good one! Here's the story:

About two weeks ago, I dropped off two pairs of shoes to The Model Shoe Rebuilders. I have been using them for 40 years--although this was the first time in at least 15 years since I've been there. 

One huge problem with the place is that it smells so disgusting--reeks of smoke. When I tried to drop my shoes off the first time, they weren't open yet. I did notice that the place had been remodeled. I thought that the smell would be gone. Plus, the people who owned it were really old. I figured they had to be dead by now.

Anyway, when I dropped the shoes off two weeks ago, I couldn't believe the smell--exactly as I remembered it. The guy that took the shoes, must be the son of the original owners--although he was probably close to 60. 

On Tuesday, I picked my shoes up. I was shocked when the woman came out form the back and I remembered her from years ago. I have no idea how old she was then, but she looked exactly the same--bleached, platinum blonde beehive hairdo, fake eyelashes and extra long fake nails. 

I didn't think much of it and continued on with my errands. Each time I got back in my car, the smell hit me--again--over and over! Now my car smelled disgusting. I even felt like I was "wearing" the smell.

When I got home, I removed the shoes from the bags and threw the bags away. I put the shoes in my closet and didn't think another thing about it--UNTIL--I got home at 11 p.m. that night after the theater. OMGosh!!! My closet smelled so gross! I went to the laundry room and got some dryer sheets. I put them in my shoes. The next morning, the smell was dissipating--being replaced by the fresh smell of the dryer sheets, but not completely gone. So, I was feeling pretty good about it.

Next, I went in to the kitchen to do some cooking. When I opened the trash compactor, the smell hit me again! I just cannot tell you how disgusting it is. Now I had let it loose in the kitchen! We had a candle lit (as we do every morning), so that helped. But each time we open the trash, the smell escapes again. I have no idea how long it will take for the smell to disappear. The problem is that since we're out-of-town for the next few days, the smell has time to "fester!" I think it will last until that bag is removed. 

I just hope that the odor cannot somehow leach in to the metal and hang around forever! Honestly, I woudn't be able to stand it. It's really that bad. I am not exaggerating! It's so disgusting! And so frustrating!