Zen, that's adorable.

Somebody living in Chicago is Most Definitely not a dealbreaker!

Zen, that is super cute! And the saucy look goes with the sassy hair.

Jesus God. This was the conversation you were waiting for.

My mom called. After speaking with the guy who blessed the locket, she offered this compromise: she knew I didn't believe, but I could wear the necklace for 21 days straight and then just put it with my other religious items.

It was tempting to just give in. "No," I said.

I wouldn't have to get her a Mother's Day gift. Mother's Day was coming up, and this would be her Mother's Day gift. She wouldn't expect a gift, a card, not even a phone call, if I just did this for her.

It was a tempting offer. "I'm just going to have keep saying no," I said. "No."

She blamed herself for not making me wear necklaces when I was a kid, so I didn't like wearing necklaces now. I told her it was nobody's fault. She said I could put it under my shirt; it wouldn't even show. I said it wasn't about showing. I told her I would keep it in my pocket, and she said I had to wear it. She said she wouldn't expect a Mother's Day gift, birthday gift, anything. This wouldn't even cost me anything.

I was silent for a while, really wanting to just take the easy way out and give in. Finally, I mustered up the guts to say it again: "No."

I heard her consult my dad. My dad said that was it, she'd said her piece and I'd said mine. She hung up.

I am fairly positive that I would not have been able to keep saying no if I weren't thinking of you guys, so thank you again.

I'm not sure whether this is really over. How many times does Jason usually come back?

Hee! I'm glad you all like it! I like it better than I thought I would. It's been long forever.

Good for you P-C.

P.-C., good for you, for standing your ground!

Early reader here.

in other news... from "not always right":

Customer:“I want a refund! Sherlock Holmes was possibly the worst film adaptation of a Jane Austin book I’ve ever seen!”

Me: “Sherlock Holmes was not written by Jane Austen. It was written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.”

Customer:“I thought there was something odd about it. Well, I guess it really is nothing at all like her other books. Silly me!”

Good for you, P-C. I'm sure t really sucked but you stayed strong.

My dad said that was it, she'd said her piece and I'd said mine.

And really? You are both adults and have to accept that you want different things. I am damn impressed with both you remaining strong and her accepting it. Go, Cows.