The spin cycle continues for Britney Spears, who just days into 2007 is deflecting rumors ranging from a Sin City collapse to a rehab stay to talk that Jive Records is unhappy with her in-the-works album. Unfortunately, a wave of negative PR isn't enough to keep the bygone pop starlet, 25, at home with 15-month-old Sean Preston and 3-month-old Jayden James.

On Wednesday night, she was once again out and about in Los Angeles, and judging by her weary-bordering-on-wilted-looking visage, her "newfound freedom" appears to be taking a bit of a toll.

Video: Britney in Rehab?

The New York Post says that when this picture was snapped, she was exiting the Italian eatery Dolce and muttering the mantra, "I love myself, I love myself."

But in between the club-hopping (she hit L.A. hotspot Area Thursday night) and self-esteem-boosting, Britney has managed to write -- or more than likely give a quick nod of approval to -- a new Letter of Truth posted on her website.

"The last couple of years have been quite a ride for me. The media has criticized my every move and printed a skewed perception of who I really am as a human being," says the woman who's caused corneal burns by repeatedly revealing her well-groomed privates. "Behind every decision I have made in my public life there always seems to be an apparent contradiction. I have come to terms with that which is why I usually don't pay much attention to it."

In addition to such five-dollar phrases as "skewed perception" and "apparent contradiction," the missive also contains her new philosophy, which echoes what she gum-snapped in her New Year's Eve resolution, namely, "to take care of me more" (so good luck and tough noogies, Sean and Jayden).

"The last couple of years have been very enlightening for me and now that I've had the time to be 'me,'" says the finger quote-prone, soon-to-be-ex Mrs. Kevin Federline. "I've been able to sit down and think about where I want to go with myself as an entertainer with absolutely no strings attached. I am now more mature and feel like I am finally 'free.'

And while most moms of two young sons would probably dispute just how string-free one can be, Britney is barreling full speed ahead, talking up her endlessly in the works album and enthusing over the idea of going out on tour.

"I look forward to coming back this year bigger and better than ever," she gushes, "and to also reaching out to my fans on a more personal level."

(So fans, consider yourselves warned and be sure to stock up on the anti-bacterial hand cleanser.)

As for her seemingly inexhaustible penchant for partying, her ladyparts-flashing and general dizzying downward spiral, which ostensibly led the webmaster of one of her most popular fansites to close up shop, Spears is apparently aware of the issues and says she's taking steps -- wobbly though they might be -- in the right direction.

"I noticed today that one of my biggest fansites is shutting down soon and I want you all to know that I do understand all the reasons that went behind making that decision, and I am sad to see it closing," the letter continues. "If I were you I'd be unhappy too if I had to read what I've been reading every day. But trust me, I get it."

Adds her manager, Larry Rudolph, to USA Today, "She understands what's going on right now, and she calls it her 'rocky moment.' Britney knows exactly what she needs to do."

And what is that? Well, it apparently includes placing most of the blame for her image problems on the so-called "false tabloids."

Rudolph insists some of the stories out there are so much fiction, including talk of Spears swooning into 2007 while hosting a champagne-fueled bash at Las Vegas hot spot Pure.

"We were sitting there drinking orange juice," he recalls. "She got tired in a club, and we took her back to her room. Suddenly, I'm hearing words like 'collapsed' and 'passed out.'"

(Jive is also in denial mode, telling "Access Hollywood" that tales of rehab and an atrocious, fan base-alienating album are untrue.)

"I know I've been far from perfect and the media has had a lot of fun exaggerating my every move," says the paparazzi-baiting Brit, "but I want you all to know that I love my fans so much, and I appreciate everything you have done for me, so Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"