How cool is my new mask?

Whether you agree or not I always wear a mask in any public place I enter. I do not wear a mask on my walks through the neighborhood but for everyone else I wear them inside. I’m sure like many of you, my mask style has evolved over the past several months.

I obtained our first set of masks from a neighbor lady who was posting on the Next-door app. She was making them for anyone who needed one in exchange for a donation to her charity. Because I couldn’t buy one anywhere else, I messaged her and order some for our family. Her masks are very durable and soft but you have to tie them in place because she had run out of elastic. Tying the mask each time is a bit time consuming, which is why I often wore it around my neck until I needed it again. Not a cool look. After Tabitha presented us with some N-95 masks, I put this one in my purse and continue to carry it, just in case.

I was not a fan of the N-95 masks and after a few wearings returned to my wearing my pink one. My mother in law then gifted me with a pretty pack of designer ones with elastic so I switched to one of those for a while. They started to stretch out and often I would suddenly become blind as I mask rode up my face and covered my eyes. Again, I went back to my original pink one.

Three weeks ago church opened up and I volunteered to work at the noon mass. When working at the mass you need to arrive 45 minutes early and leave 15 minutes after mass is over, once you finish cleaning everything. You end up wearing a mask for at least 2 hours and pulling it down over your nose isn’t an option in church with elderly people present. I was really struggling after my first mass because I wasn’t used to wearing it for so long and I had a hard time breathing. I then decided I needed a clear shield that all they gym instructors are wearing.

Again Tabitha found me one at our local medical store but it had a band that went all the way around your head. It looked really crazy but it was easier to breath. I showed up at mass on week three and the head volunteer was also wearing a face shield, but hers was attached to a clear pair of glasses. I was so envious! Her hair wasn’t all squished and her shield wasn’t hitting her chest because of excessive length. After talking for a few minutes and confirming I would become the lead volunteer for the noon mass until a cleaning, greeting and sanitizing team was no longer needed she asked: “Is your mask comfortable?”

“No, it’s not, but it’s better than a regular mask.”

“We have one more with the glasses, would you like it?”

“YES, THANK YOU!” And I scored this amazing mask:

As soon as Lou saw my new mask he was like:

” Can I try that on?”

“Sure, but don’t stretch it out.”

“Wow, this is great. Can you order me some for work?”

“Yes, I’ll do it right now.”

I found them on Amazon right away but once I purchased a few, I received an email indicating they wouldn’t be arriving until August! Yikes! Sorry Louie!

There isn’t a day that goes by in which at least 2 people don’t stop and ask me where they can buy my mask.

I continue to be depressed and scared about our world and especially CA, because that is where I live. Yesterday I went to Stater Bros and they said I needed to pay for a bag. I then asked:

“Can I start using my reusable bags again?”

“YES,” said the nice clerk.

“Awesome.”

Today I started to walk into Trader Joe’s and was asked to line up because the store was full. What are we back to lining up?

I didn’t complain or grumble, I just got in line. Once I was allowed to enter I quickly picked up the few items I needed in the completely empty store and went to check out. I started to bag my own groceries with one of their brown bags because the sign outside the store read:

“NO REUSABLE BAGS IN THE STORE.”

As I started bagging the sales clerk said: ” I’m sorry but we are charging for bags again, 10 cents each.”

“Oh, okay. Can I use my own bags?”

“No, I’m sorry you can’t. Trader Joe’s doesn’t want to charge you for the bags BUT the State of California is requiring us to do so.”

“I just shook my head and smiled at the poor cashier who clearly was tired of explaining this ridiculous situation.

Right at that moment I started obsessing: “Where the hell can I move? I need to get out of California before I go insane.”

I tried talking myself down by telling myself: ” Your family and friends are here, Tiffani. You can’t leave your kids, they already told you they wouldn’t move out of state.”

“Maybe I could try and convince them again? There is also the issue with Lou’s job. UGH!”

As I exited the store I saw this, which instantly cheered me up and put a huge smile on my face.

Is he the cutest frickin dog you have every seen? I stopped and asked to take his picture and he looked me square in the eyes when I spoke to him and then quickly returned his watchful eyes to the door awaiting his owner. As I took his picture several other people stopped to stare at the dog who appeared to be driving a turquoise convertible truck from what I’m guessing is the 70’s.

Anyways, that’s it for today! I’ve resumed my struggle with attempting to promote Loving Tiara through Amazon ads and making a book trailer. Neither of which I’m very good at. It seems as if I spend hours a day at the computer with nothing to show for myself at the end of the day. As with all things, I need to keep trying and eventually I will hopefully succeed.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!!!

xoxo tiffani