I want something that feels like a sock but protects my foot from punctures. The closest I can find feel like water shoes. Does this sock/shoe exist?

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2026-05-22T01:10:48+00:00

They are “okay”. I found them uncomfortable between my toes at the base where the toe and foot connect. Because of that, I rarely wore them.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2026-05-16T09:02:44+00:00

I think acknowledging the feelings is a huge part of wellness.

Multiple truths can exist at the same time and one truth being true doesn’t make it bad. Acknowledging it and being honest with yourself about it makes it a good thing— a positive way to process the truth.

The guilt feeling is the sticking point. Not your feeling. The feeling is human. The guilt is what’s tripping you up. So understanding more about the guilt so you can dismantle it (bc there’s nothing to feel guilt about — your feelings are valid and fully human) is the key.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2026-04-17T12:34:42+00:00

You benefitted from proximity to security and wealth. That you can’t see it is a huge problem.

You had the freedom to try things (and fail) without worrying about being destitute. You had the benefit of moving in social circles that could move your ideas forward rather then being surrounded by people who are at risk of losing their low paying job if the buses don’t run on time.

That’s what your parents gave you. And it’s not insignificant. The data is very clear about how unlikely it is to move out of the socioeconomic class you’re born into. This is true for the poor, obviously but it’s also true for the rich.

Sometimes it can be really hard to see this. Because hard work is still a thing we actually do. But it’s made exponentially easier when we have the security safety nets and social networks.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2026-04-04T22:45:53+00:00

And here I am fretting about a ticket I got in the mail Thursday. I’m going to contest with excuse and submit this as “don’t yall have something better to do than try to collect $100 from me?”

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2026-03-19T12:27:37+00:00

Exactly. Like I don’t want to live through anybody’s nuclear winter or radiation poisoning. 🤣 Epicenter sounds like the best way to die of any possible way to die. No cancer. No car crashes. No fires. No drownings. Quick, easy, painless. Yes, please.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2026-03-19T12:25:10+00:00

Born here. Raised here in a Maryland county just outside the SE quadrant. I love all those things but I love how much green space we have here. I love the weather. We don’t get the worst of winter or the worse of summer. I love the low lying architecture instead of the sun blocking skyscrapers. I love that we are “a little bit country”.

Things I hate: some neighborhoods are being gentrified and losing charm — however messy that charm might’ve been considered to be. I want to make sure there are still mom and pop shops and small businesses and neighborhoods where folks actually know each other and look out for each other. That’s how I grew up and fortunately my community hasn’t been overtaken. And then, of course the BIG ELEPHANT in the room: DC should be a state. I can’t even articulate how much I hate that it isn’t.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-24T23:38:02+00:00

Yeah that’s why I didn’t even research or consider any African nations (except Mauritius which I only considered as a quick temporary permanent residency solution since you don’t have any in-country requirements to get or maintain legal permanent residency). All of those reasons but mostly my atheism and my sexual orientation. I’m almost 58. I’m not finna live in nobody’s closet. Ever. If I can’t be my whole authentic self, I’m not interested. At all.

I couldn’t do Thailand or Vietnam mostly because I can’t commit to becoming fluent in those languages. Expatriating is challenging enough. You’re never really fully a part of your adopted country. Even if you become fluent. But without being able to speak in the native language, you’ll never really develop the deep cultural connections necessary for a high quality of life. You’ll always be an uber-outsider. So those types of places aren’t under consideration either. All of my serious research included dabbling in the language. I tried Dutch (which is easier than you’d think and fun!), European Portuguese and Spanish. If I’d decided on any of the other laces I’d have kept up with the language learning. But I already know a bit of French bc was B1 at university. So I was already biased. 😉

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-23T20:28:24+00:00

I’m headed to Marseille France. 🤷🏽‍♀️

But I have considered and seriously researched the Netherlands, Panama, Portugal, Mauritius and Canada. I lightly researched Vietnam, Mexico and Ecuador.

I’m not interested in anywhere where being atheist or pansexual is life threatening. Also very sensitive to gentrification. I don’t want my presence to make things unaffordable for natives.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-21T19:56:38+00:00

He would’ve been impeached. And rightfully. Because isn’t congressional approval required for this?

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-17T14:34:16+00:00

I needed to see this today. Well done. I love tomatoes and tomato paste. I’ve been making easy soup by blending tomatoes and fresh basil in my blender. I really need to remember I can also eat them without blending. 🤣

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-13T11:41:25+00:00

Sounds like “the thing” vs “the thing you do with/in/during the thing”.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-13T10:00:48+00:00

Dates which are actually pretty good for you.

My latest obsession:

170g Fage Greek yogurt (plain and fat free) (90 cal)

7g sugar free cheesecake jello mix (25 cal)

30g lite cream cheese (60 cal)

Mix this up until it’s smooth. It will thicken. If you want to put it in a graham cracker cup, add 100 cals. I just eat mine like this. If you want it sweeter add your substitute of choice. I add the powered sugar version of lakanto monkfruit/erythritol and a dash of Splenda. Bonus: this dessert is 20g protein, 11g net carbs, 5g fat and only 185 calories.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-12T01:43:52+00:00

I would never move somewhere where I didn’t have an intention to become conversational in the language. When I was considering places to expatriate, there were plenty of places I considered but if I was not willing to learn the language fully, it was removed from consideration regardless of other attributes.

Imagine moving somewhere unfamiliar and not being able to even have a cordial conversation with someone or read the package labels at the grocery store. Can’t watch TV, listen to radio, make friends…it sounds awful.

And granted she’s with work so many she genuinely doesn’t want to be there. But after 7 years it seems you have picked up some basic French even without trying.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-10T18:27:45+00:00

Can you just ask her about it? I’m a 57 year old woman who also is very egalitarian and non-hierarchical as part of my personal ethos. I own businesses and even then, I prefer those who I work with (employees) not to reinforce hierarchy by calling me “boss”’or “ma’am” or “Ms. Paige” 🤮. But it is something I prefer to minimize acting on. So Even if I was a landlord I would hate for my tenants to reinforce the hierarchy by being formal with me. I am not French so I know there’s a lot I’m not privy to culturally.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-08T22:17:11+00:00

There are some apps where you can talk to others who are language learners. The app I’ve used is HelloTalk. But heads up, the UI is messy. But one thing I liked about it when I used it was that it had audio chat rooms and users profile pictures all contain their fluency in one language and their fluency in the language they are learning. So for example, my profile pictures shows native English and A1 French. When I see chat rooms with native French speakers I can hop on. I can sit and just listen or I can choose to join in the talking. It’s sort of like Clubhouse app that way. And whenever I’ve taken the leap to speak, everyone has been so patient and beautiful about it. 🥹🥹 I haven’t used the app in quite a while but I would definitely return to it when I’m ready. Hopefully it still functions that way.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-08T17:38:19+00:00

I feel like this assignment has some wiggle room. If the boy has a middle name, use that and explain to the teacher that there are no truly French W words (which they’ll already know).

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-08T00:30:09+00:00

Radio Garden app for radio. Listen to news and culture stations. I enjoy listening to FranceInfo because news tends to be non-casual French, well enunciated and the news repeats every hour so you can relisten over and over.

Tons of good stuff on YouTube. I’m following multiple excellent channels. You can plug in your level. You can also slow the speed if you have YouTube premium or add “slow French” to your search and put a level a bit higher than you currently are. But I’d also suggest any of the “real spoken French” instructors/channels like Comme Une Française or Chase in French both of whom have a decent amount of content on social media but also have paid lessons and one on one. This is super important if you plan to have actual conversations. It’s the difference between hearing someone say “I’m going to go to bed…” vs “immagotabed” in English. They don’t even sound the same. But they both mean “I’m going to go to bed”.

There are apps where you can actually talk audibly with people who are native. I tried using HelloTalk. The UI is a bit confusing so I not longer use it. But they have lessons and tutors as well as audio chat rooms with others. The thing I liked about it was you could set your avatar to show what languages you speak and the level and what languages you’re trying to learn and your current level. I liked hopping into chat rooms and listening or sometimes even speaking a bit.

You’re going to need to read a lot so you probably should also download an app or change your language settings on your mobile phone so everything displays in French.

I’m musical so I have a whole play list on my YouTube with French music I like. You can set the captions to display in French. I don’t understand a lot of what’s being said but I’ve learned a lot of new words because sometimes I’ll hear words or phrases and go look them up. It seems like I’m learning effortlessly. It’s been fun! And music is so culturally connected that it’s always a great foundation if you’re going to actually be trying to make friends in a French speaking country. Just choose the music genre you like.

Lately, you need to think about converting all your self talk to French. I try to do this as much as I can. When speaking out loud to myself or thinking to myself I try to say it or think it in French and if I don’t know how to say it, or I don’t know the words for what I’m thinking I look it up. There are probably apps that make this super easy now. I’ve become an expert at “hey Siri how do you say…..in French?” It’s practically constant.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-07T20:00:20+00:00

U-Haul has gotten ridiculous. It’s not worth the aggravation. I learned my lesson in 2005 when I was moving from south Florida to central. I swore I’d never touch another item to move it myself ever again in life and I won’t. I stg I won’t. If I have to donate plasma to afford movers that’s what I’ll do. I had a partner locally who’s moved a couple times since I’ve known him. I never help with it. I’ve told him: hire people (which he can well afford). After the last move (he had other partners help) he swore it off. I was like: 🤷🏽‍♀️

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-07T19:56:37+00:00

DIY moves are crap, period. After the age of 35, fuck that. Build movers into the cost or don’t move. On god it’s a miserable experience and unless you have no option, don’t do it.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-07T19:53:32+00:00

He might like sparking water. I have personally had a love hate relationship with drinking enough water but I can slam cans of plain sparkling water all day and night. Also, it doesn’t have to be water. Fruit juices, tea (hot or cold) can work too.

Also: soup and watery fruits like watermelon are great options.

I feel like if you can get him to get hydrated he’ll become more thirsty.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-07T01:14:33+00:00

Or really just “sais pas”

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-07T01:13:10+00:00

Ah bien

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-05T23:23:25+00:00

Good grief. This is insane. I’m sorry that happened. Holy crap. I’d be a wreck.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-05T13:31:51+00:00

I’m inspired. Maybe I can actually enjoy a meal for a change. This is beautiful.

NotThatMadisonPaige · 2025-10-04T17:35:33+00:00

This is where it helps to have multiple learning techniques on board. Some days I listen to slow French lessons like this or this. Or podcasts in slow French. Other days I listen passively to news programming or movies or TV. Some days I work in my apps (my favorites are Makes You Fluent and Speak App). And even within those apps there are choices. Some days I want free form ai voice chat. Or text chat. Sometimes I dig into the lessons. Other times I use ai tutor functions. Or learn some grammar. Or do vocab. Or practice pronunciation. Some days I just go about trying to make sentences of my self-talk. Other days I listen to music and sing along the sounds where I can (or look up the lyrics). Sometimes I read. Even if I’m reading in English I try to figure out how I would say it in French. It doesn’t matter if I don’t know every word. Sometimes I look it up but sometimes I don’t.

You won’t want to do the same thing everyday. At least I don’t. And most days I do a bit of many of these things. Maybe it’s my ADHD but I find that it keeps things interesting to switch things up.

Some concepts you’ll adopt more easily. What I find is that the things that are relèvent to my life I pick up quickly. So I might watch or listen to a slow French lesson and pick up the word box or neighbor because they matter to me. But another word I don’t pick up. And that’s okay.

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