Mixed messages are the worst. It's like someone standing there yelling, "PAY ATTENTION TO ME! WHOOP! NOT SO MUCH ATTENTION!" It feels like a low self esteem play. Like you should like me but just not too much.

I never thought of it as low self esteem before, that's interesting. I always read it as taking advantage of *my* low self esteem, as in: I want you to like me because I like the attention, but don't expect me to reciprocate.

Once when I was making out with a guy he said to me, "you're not as smart as you think you are." It was so random and mean and said in such a flirty voice that I burst out laughing. It ended the make out session pretty quickly, which I have to assume was the intention.

Went shopping for tall black boots. I've had them in the winter for at least 20 years, but not last year and I hated it. I went to 4 stores with no luck. Came home, got online at Aerosoles and there are basically the boots I had had from them for at least the last 10 years, bought 2 tall and 1 short pair for less than I saw most single pairs of boots in the stores.

NYC had Aerosole stores, but none is Texas.

SO Merry Christmas to me and now I have boots for my trip to NYC in January.

The child is acting like a human despite not having (or maybe because of not having) electronics. I wish he could see how his mood improves when he is not in front of a game for hour upon hour.

I'm glad of the improvement, msbelle. May that trend continue--and yay, boots!

Zen, so glad you can be there, and thank you.

Ginger, all the salty goodness to you, and I add a vote to salt and burn the oncologist.

Pretty puppy, Suela!

Yay boots! I dread when my Spanish boots wear out. They are the best boots I've had by far and I don't even know the maker! I didn't want to schlepp the box around Avila after I bought them in desperation because my shoes were soaked (I wore them out of the shop, proprietor gave me a smaller bag for my shoes.) Right choice, but so wish I'd snapped a pic of the label.

Good luck with the child.

Despite getting in 3 swims over vacation (thanks, Kat!) seriously shitty times this weekend. I can give myself the excuse of the head cold, going straight back into 2 milers and all that, but nnnnrg. It'll sort out. But I will be swimming in B'ham if I have to rent a car and swim in the morning.

Need to start trolling swim sites for deals on suits. That time of year.

Yay boots and yay human-ness! I found tall black boots that actually fit me at a consignment store and it makes me very happy.

I bought myself a wifi-enabled scale, which kind of seems like a bad idea, but i'm thinking I ca go ahead and weigh myself every day but not actually, like, look at the number because it will be recorded somewhere whether I pay attention or not. I like having the data and using my wiifit board as my only scale was really not practical, so, there it is.

Yay for new boots! I like new clothes, I just keep forgetting to buy them.

The child is acting like a human despite not having (or maybe because of not having) electronics.

That's often my observation.

I did a grown-up thing! I checked the washer fluid in my car, saw it was empty, went to the auto store, bought a gallon, and refilled the tank all by myself! Clean windshields are terrific! And damn, the hoods on Jeeps are heavy.

Gold star, Connie!

Many of y'all here will probably get a kick out of this. My hairdresser has gone full-on crazy. She has always been a bit of a Jesus freak and just edge of wacky for my taste (suggesting crazy sounding health tips/products, seems easily swayed to out-there ideas), but now seems to have gone full on conspiracy theory anti-government. Stuff about the IRS being a for profit corporation operated out of England. She is "suing" them for $200,000 for taxes paid that she claims they had no right to. She was going o about how we are all suckered because we do not read the laws, but SHE has now and SHE (with no law training or education) understands them. Interest is a scam. Mortgages are a scam. Companies that send you invoices (she swears they only send statements) that say you owe X amount, never say who you owe it to and you can sign those over to yourself. I DO NOT EVEN KNOW. I bantered with her a bit on it. Addressed how I had signed contracts with service providers and was paying for services they provide, that I want, and that I cannot get without them (internet, cell phone service, electricity). I pointed out that these companies actually have agreements I have signed that spell out terms. On the other hand, I have no written and signed agreement with my company for payment for my services and I sure as hell would be upset if they announced they were under no obligation to pay me at the rate that had been or for the tasks I have been doing. (I will add here, that she is not like, living off the grid or anything and she was happy as pie to take credit card payment). off her gourd.

Anyhoo - I was looking for anything on the web discounting her claims, showing where attempts at lawsuits failed or whatnot, but I don't think I care enough to fall down that rabbit hold.

This seems to be a guy's fb page that she is getting a bunch of the stuff from. [link]

please go entertain yourselves law and government type folks.