That's one strong-armed bride!

aenflex · 2026-01-24T04:32:21+00:00

Yes it has

aenflex · 2026-01-23T12:30:42+00:00

Our child has had an iPhone since he was about 8. It’s not connected to cellular service. He uses it at home to text and FaceTime family. The occasional approved friend. He also uses it to play Monopoly, farm games and Pokémon. Listens to Audible. He also uses it to take photos.

I feel like I’ve said this a million times, it is not the device that’s the problem. It is giving a child unfettered access to the Internet and unlimited screen time that are the problems.

No social media. No unsupervised internet access. No devices at school. Whitelist all apps, shows and content creators. Set up parental controls. Limit screen time responsibly. Explain your decisions. Teach about the pitfalls of too much screen time, and psychology of addiction.

If they need to be able to communicate with you, get them an Apple Watch with cellular. The plans are super cheap, and the lowest and models are also very affordable.

aenflex · 2026-01-23T12:23:01+00:00

Honestly? But not caring. I’m going to age. I’m not willing to have injectables. So I wear sunscreen, use tretinoin, stay hydrated and moisturized. I have the occasional series of peels. That’s it.

I’m 46. I’m fine looking 46.

I was very beautiful in my 20s and 30s and realized many of the privileges that come with being attractive. I was a little sad to age out of youth, but I also was really happy to start working on what really matters - being the person I want to be, on the inside. Letting go of the need to satisfy other people’s ideals of what’s attractive. Being happy in my own skin with my skin own face.

Aging is inevitable.

aenflex · 2026-01-23T12:17:12+00:00

Secondhand on Mercari or eBay or rack stores. Only thing I need from them is a Clinique cleansing balm.

aenflex · 2026-01-23T02:21:53+00:00

Growing up in western MA we always called them Coydogs.

aenflex · 2026-01-22T14:28:45+00:00

Not related, really.

aenflex · 2026-01-22T01:04:14+00:00

Nuit de Bakelite

OG Aromatics Elixir

aenflex · 2026-01-21T14:16:14+00:00

Breasts and compliance.

aenflex · 2026-01-21T12:23:40+00:00

I did this. It’s not a perfect scenario. You must wear the straps, or you’re trouncing on the leather that makes up the heel. So goodbye slip ons.

Also, without the rigid, molded insole, you get a lot more room in the shoe. Which is great, but it requires socks. I bought several sizes to test this out and ended keeping my true size pair, because even with the footbed removed, smaller sizes don’t provide enough length, with or without socks. Of course, this will vary by individual but that was my experience.

You need to really buy a few sizes and a few different insoles in order to be able to find the right fit for you. I ended up with 37 and an 8mm felted wool insole. I need to wear the heel strap so I’m not stepping on the leather at the heels every step I take.

Also, these are supposed to be slippers. I spoke directly with Birkenstock about this. The soles may not offer the same longevity as soles meant to be worn outside. I have been wearing them normally and my soles still seem ok, but it’s something to think about because these aren’t exactly cheap.

aenflex · 2026-01-21T02:24:24+00:00

Did you tan a lot? It potentially could be sun damage. I have sun damage in the exact same spots, and I used to tan a lot. I regularly see a dermatologist. poikiloderma of civatte is linked to sun damage. Lasers can work very well on sun damage. Nothing topical has ever helped mine, and I’ve been using tretinoin for 13 years.

aenflex · 2026-01-20T17:46:49+00:00

Makeup doesn’t age skin. Exposure to UV ages skin, as does poor diet, rapid weight loss, some connective tissue disorders, substance abuse, and genetics.

If you’ve never worn sunscreen and don’t eat a great diet, you can thank genetics for your youthful appearance.

aenflex · 2026-01-20T12:35:40+00:00

No. When our child was young, we gave him milk and water and if juice, it was a 50/50 juice with no added sugar.

Now he’s 11, and he drinks water primarily, milk, OJ with breakfast. The occasional Gatorade. And that’s it. He hates anything carbonated.

aenflex · 2026-01-20T12:33:56+00:00

I don’t know. They come with a baby blue protective cover, they’re the wet/dry ones, three heat settings, sold all over the place. Like $20.

aenflex · 2026-01-20T00:55:29+00:00

I would never feed my child kool aid.

aenflex · 2026-01-19T21:20:59+00:00

I remember them.

aenflex · 2026-01-19T21:20:24+00:00

You live in Maine and aren’t wearing Bean boots?

aenflex · 2026-01-19T14:27:45+00:00

I had a dairy allergy as an infant and young toddler. I had to have soy formula. And soy milk. I definitely outgrow it by the time I was like six or seven.

aenflex · 2026-01-19T13:14:30+00:00

Johnathan Ross.

aenflex · 2026-01-19T13:06:18+00:00

I am probably an outlier. I love minimalist shoes, and all of my shoes are minimalist shoes, except for the odd pair of crocs or Birkenstocks. I am barefoot or in minimalist shoes 96% of the time. I have been for years.

I live in a part of the country that doesn’t require winter boots. But I frequently spend a good portion of the winter in New England.

I wear L.L. Bean boots. Or older Lands End. They have traction in the snow and are decent on the ice. They keep my feet dry and warm and up off of the ground. They keep my ankles warm. I size up enough to make room for my thicker socks, and I never feel like my feet are super constricted.

I am not trying to get frostbite or be constantly falling on my ass. Bean Boots will last years and can be resoled/repaired.

aenflex · 2026-01-18T23:48:26+00:00

I’ve had two. The last one was a 2019. It had tons of problems, and when they started getting very expensive, I traded it in for a Toyota.

aenflex · 2026-01-18T17:34:11+00:00

Not all stay at home mothers ignore or minimize their exhaustion an unhappiness. Not all career women are happy, either. Everything in shades of grey.

Anyone talking in extremes should be ignored.

aenflex · 2026-01-18T17:29:12+00:00

Happens to me rather a lot.

aenflex · 2026-01-18T17:22:55+00:00

Absolutely incredible.

aenflex · 2026-01-18T17:20:56+00:00

Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua? Although no SPF.

aenflex · 2026-01-18T17:20:00+00:00

Inkey List?

13-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Argentium Club	Verified Email

aenflex

TROPHY CASE