My Milk Mustache

This morning when I took the recycling to drop it off at Market Street I noticed some tents and banners in front of the store. When I finished putting everything into the dumpsters I went around front to see what they were doing on the way inside to wash my hands.

The Got Milk people were there, handing out milk, mixing milk shakes and taking pictures. I thought (on the spur of the moment) that it might be fun to do something so silly.

I went inside and washed my hands then stopped by the booth and said I would like to have my picture taken with a milk mustache. All the people working at the booth were in their early 20's I would guess. They were all very friendly and said , "Sure. We're glad you stopped by."

I was possibly the oldest person they photographed all day. I didn't see any other Boomers in the area. The only people I saw with milk or a mini shake walking to their cars were kids.

One of the young men at the booth fixed me a mini milk shake to drink (since milk is too thin to make a visable mustache I was told). Another young man showed me where to stand and when to drink the milk shake.

As I was walking over to the background I said, "Are you going to make me look like her?" as I pointed to the model.

His response was hysterical. He must have thought I was going to ask something else because he said, "Yes." He suddenly realized how he had answered my question sorta stuttered, wishing he could run the clock back a few seconds and not have given me that answer. What he was really thinking was probably more like: "ARE YOU KIDDING"? But he said, "Don't worry, you'll look fine."

I just smiled, wanting to make sure he knew I realized I was asking the impossible and laughingly said, "I know you can do it." Then both young men and the young woman who was also working started laughing as well. She said, "You will look great! It's fun."

And it was. I don't typically do things like that. But I actually enjoyed the short time I spent stepping outside my "comfort zone". I knew that people walking past were probably looking at me, wondering what on earth I was doing. And I knew that I did not fit the profile of someone who might actually be used in a commercial or advertisement in a magazine.

I just wanted to have a few minutes of unplanned, unexpected silliness. And it felt good!
Try it sometime when an opportunity comes your way.

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Two Crossing Guards: Sara and Bubbie

Yesterday Sara went to work with me. I would like to know what she was thinking when we drove up and got out of the van and I told her that was where I worked.

It was a very hot and sunny day and I took the umbrella so she could sit in the shade while I walked the children across the street. I forgot to pack the stand, so had to improvise. Laurie had an extension cord in the back of the van, so I used it to mount the umbrella to the poles.

As I set up everything Sara just watched me curiously but never said anything. I told her to stay in her chair and not to get up until I told her it was ok. I explained that I would be helping the children to cross the street so they would not get run over by a car.

She sat there obediently the entire time, just watching me, the children, and the cars going by. Several children and parents asked me about her and told her hello. One woman yelled from her car as she drove past, "She is so cute! I love your setup."

After all the children had gone home I had to stay on duty for about 40 more minutes. We decided a ride in the stroller was in order.

We walked up and down the sidewalk, staying close to the cross walk watching for any children who may have stayed after school. We found several treasures: a big metal hoop of some kind, half of a pink plastic toy, a stick, and some kind of seed pod. Sara dragged the hoop on the sidewalk making a noise as we walked back and forth. She kept saying, "Do you hear my hoop on the sidewalk?"

She kept the hoop and took it home with her, but left everything else behind.

We saw a dead bird on the curb. I said, "How sad. Now he won't be able to go home to his wife and baby birds." Every time we went past the bird she would say something about it. When we got home and she was telling Pop about our day at work the first thing she mentioned was the dead bird.

I really like my job as a crossing guard. It does not pay a lot, but I don't really do it for the money. I do it for my sanity. Oh, the money comes in handy, but that is not as important as having a reason to get up every day and get dressed. If I did not have the job there would be many days I would just stay in bed, never even getting dressed. But, since I am on call on all school days I never know if they will call me or not, so have to be ready to leave the house quickly.

Today I realized that I had not done a very good job of choosing my clothes when I got dressed. As I was standing on the corner watching cars go by and seeing the drivers looking at me I realized I looked more like a homeless bag lady than a crossing guard.

For some reason I thought it was going to be really cold. So I put on black tights, white long johns, black socks, a red had, white (mime) gloves, and my heavy green coat. The dress I wore was light blue with yellow fish on it. I have no idea why I wore these things. Possibly I wasn't thinking straight when I got dressed?

If someone noticed my outfit they probably thought I was crazy, color blind, homeless, or all three. I took some pictures of myself in the mirror after I got home. I think maybe I better throw my bag lady clothes in the dumpster since I have now worn them in public while working instead of staying in the house in private while wearing them.

I wouldn't be surprised if people drop off clothes for me tomorrow when they drop off their children.