THE NEW FASHION STATEMENT

         It’s a sign of the times, I guess. When I go out, I don’t pay a lot of attention to the people I see other than making sure I’m not in their space and they are not in mine. Back in the day when I used to go to work, I was used to getting compliments on my apparel, haircut, nails, whatever. Once I retired, being complimented for something was rare because I mostly wore sweats or jeans with tank tops. I stopped using makeup ages ago, and if my hair wasn’t great, I put on a hat.

          Even though I just went to the store on Thursday, I didn’t plan well, so had to go back on Sunday because the doggies were out of food. Their Chewy order will arrive at some point in time.

          Finished at the checkout counter, I went to take my cart and the bag person goes, “I really like your mask.” I was so surprised I almost didn’t thank her. But I did and said that my daughter-in-law made it for me which she thought was very cool.

          Actually, I now have three masks. My walking partner, Kathy, made me one weeks ago and I’ve worn it faithfully when I’ve had to go out. I’ve also washed and dried it. We have received compliments on the masks Kathy made when we’ve been out walking. In fact, she’s now made more than 100 and gifted them to family, friends and on Buy Nothing to anyone who wanted one…for free!!! This woman has a trillion Karma points!!!

When I saw my son and his daughter last Monday, I really liked the way their masks fit. I asked where they got them and AJ said his wife, Angie, made them. I asked if she’d make me one. The ones Angie made are different than the ones Kathy makes. Angie puts something bendable in the middle top so you can squeeze it over your nose. AJ said it’s the rigid part of the top of a coffee bag. And, the material isn’t folded over at the sides the way Kathy does hers. Angie folds the middle at the top and bottom, so you have a little open space in the middle below the nose pincher.

          Angie then made me two. When she sent me the photos, I told her I’d take the blue one, but she said I had to have both because my granddaughter had picked out the fabric of the red one. When they arrived, all I had to do was fix the elastic so they fit properly.

          There have also been some photos on Facebook of a wide variety of masks. There were some really fancy ones for Easter. There was another one that looked like the mask the woman was wearing had red lips. Then, she pulled on it and it opened up into a huge mouth…made me laugh out loud. There are many many creative and funny examples of face masks. I guess face masks are the new fashion statement. I’m so glad I have such talented women in my life who made me mine.

At the end of this post, I included a photo of one of the fanciest masks I’ve seen on Facebook. Mine aren’t that fancy, but I love all three of mine and will rotate them through the days. I also think I’m going to start looking at the people I see when I go to the store. Being complimented on my mask made my day. Maybe I can make someone else’s if I pay it forward.