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Year Three, Day 334: The Snake Oil Saleswoman

 Today was my get caught up at home day. No Baby Gracie duty. But I get my fix - my daughter text messages me oodles of pictures throughout the day!

I was able to get a couple extra hours sleep this morning, after my usual 4:00 a.m. wake up time.

Then I did my hooping, a load of laundry and headed out for a Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny's.  I tried to make it as healthy as possible:  2 eggs over medium, a slice of ham, gluten free English muffins and grits.  And to drink, I had hot water with lemon.

The cherry on top is that I get 15% off with my AARP card. There are benefits to growing older!






I was still quite sore, but feeling better. My daughter hooked me up to her TENS unit yesterday after I watched Gracie for the morning.  I woke up feeling 75% better than yesterday!

So I decided to keep focusing on feeling well, and crossed SE 82nd to Clackamas Town Center. I walked through Sears to the Reflexology shop. And had a lovely, 30 minute accupressure treatment!

I've had massages with this woman before. She is amazing!  But near the end of the treatment, she said, "You are very tight. You need more time!  You want 1 hour? Or relaxing foot soak and foot treatment?"

I told her thank you, but no. I had to go to work.

I really don't like to be pressured.  If I had the time and money, I would definitely go for an hour!

Well, good thing I was relaxed, because as I was heading out of the mall to the bus stop, a woman approached me from one of the kiosks. I usually avoid eye contact and walk quickly.  I am a sucker for salespeople. I can be talked into almost anything if they are nice!


Which she was, at first. She smiled and said, "For you, beautiful lady", handing a small sample of body lotion.

I smiled in return and reached put to grab the packet. That was my first mistake. Before I could protest, she had me seated on a chair, while she examined the bags under my eyes.

She made a clucking noise. She asked me if I just got off work.

I told her I has just gotten a massage. I'm so glad I shared this with her. It provided me an out a few minutes later.

After she had applied cream to one of my eye bags and shown me the dramatic results in a hand held mirror. She was talking loudly and rapidly. I knew she would be swooping down for the kill soon.

And I knew I could not afford the snake oil she was selling.

So I interrupted her. "How much is the eye serum?" I asked in a sweet, innocent tone.

At which point she told me just for me, today I could get the special eye serum plus a free gift for the low price of...


Wait for it....

$199.00!

Aaaack!

I admit, I was shocked. I silently told myself I would keep my eye bags, thank you very much!

I told her I could not afford it. I had spent all my money on the massage. I silently apologized to God for the white lie.

She kept pushing, but I stood firm.

And then, looking at my phone, I told her I had to run. I felt a little pang of compassion. I thanked her for the demonstration. My one eye really did looked profoundly unbaggy!

I asked if she would be there next week.

"Probably not", she said curtly. "I will be in Las Vegas".

I made my escape at that moment. I walked away quickly. I did not look back.

At the bus stop, I got out my mirror. I had two very different looking eyes. But I was happy. I did not get seduced by the snake oil saleswoman!

I looked up the term "snake oil salesman" and found the following amusing article. Enjoy! But be warned. If you are walking through a mall and a salesperson calls out to you, do not establish direct eye contact. Do not simply walk away.

Run!

https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/08/26/215761377/a-history-of-snake-oil-salesmen





 Happy Thursday!


Talk to you tomorrow!


Love,

Zita






P.S. Here is today's hooping video. Day 286!


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