Hello bubblegum, my old friend

April 15, 2007 – 6:09 pm

I had the strangest experience yesterday at the grocery store. You see, I recently bought a package of bubblegum, thinking it’d be a great bribe for CJ (it is). Driving to the store, I was feeling rather glum… didn’t feel like grocery shopping, disappointed by how the weekend was going, wishing the sun would SHINE, etc. On a whim I popped in a piece of bubblegum.

I think the last time I chewed bubblegum was somewhere around 7th grade (LA Gears with minimum two pairs of socks pulled up over my stretch pants, complimented by side ponytail). In early high school I switched to the sugar-free mint stuff, probably in hopes of all the kissing I thought I’d be doing, and never went back.

So here I am, 29 year-old mother in my baseball cap and practical shoes, chewing pink bubblegum like it’s going out of style. You know what I discovered? Bubblegum is really, completely, horrifyingly fun to chew!

Pushing my shopping cart, loading up on juice boxes and cereal, chicken breasts and salad dressing, I couldn’t help but CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP. I was aware of the many people all around… of the ridiculous image I must be projecting, yet somehow I couldn’t stop myself. Pwoof– a huge pink bubble. Pop! All over my face. I’m embarrassed, well I feel that I should be embarrassed… but then why am I smiling?? CHOMP CHOMP.

And on it went, for the full hour it took me to get through Safeway and load up my cart with $193.67 worth of stuff. Standing in the checkout line, smiling at the cashier, CHOMP CHOMP CHOMPING. Pushing my cart outside (is that the sun?!) and Pwoof another bubble; the biggest one yet! Pop! It explodes, releasing that unmistakable sweet smell of bubblegum, softly patting my face with the thinly stretched pinkness.

I know it’s silly to say that bubblegum has magical powers. But for this woman, on a rather dull Saturday afternoon, it had the rather incredible ability to lift my mood and make me smile.

And yet, powerful mood-enhancer though it may be, I also know that I must proceed with caution with my new friend, lest I CHOMP CHOMP my way right back to 7th grade.

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8 Responses to “Hello bubblegum, my old friend”

  1. By tkkerouac on Apr 15, 2007 | Reply

    love this blog!

    [Reply to this comment]

  2. By Annie on Apr 15, 2007 | Reply

    Okay - you need to stop! LOL! I’ll never get anything done around here if I keep coming here to check the next installment lol!

    Great story, and you are a very talented writer.

    [Reply to this comment]

  3. By www.nolanotes.com on Apr 15, 2007 | Reply

    Love it! Now I understand how Britney was caught doing that interview with gum in her mouth–she couldn’t help herself!

    And somehow it made the sun come out a bit? That is powerful gum!

    [Reply to this comment]

  4. By Mamma on Apr 16, 2007 | Reply

    Blueberry Hubba Bubba in middle school.

    Big Red in high school (to kill your wine cooler breath before going home to mom and dad).

    Minty goodness after college.

    Now? I’m back to sugarless Bubble Yum. I’m totally with you. It can change your attitude.

    [Reply to this comment]

  5. By Life As I Know It on Apr 16, 2007 | Reply

    I chew gum all the time and it drives my family nuts. But it makes me happy and if mama’s happy then everyone’s happy.
    Whatever you need, even if its just gum, to get you through..
    great blog!

    [Reply to this comment]

  6. By Jennifer on Apr 16, 2007 | Reply

    I chew gun every once in a while, I love grape Hubba Bubba. And you’re right, it does make you happy!

    [Reply to this comment]

  7. By tulipmom on Apr 16, 2007 | Reply

    Huge gum chewer here. Couldn’t have lost so much weight in the past two years without it. Great post!

    [Reply to this comment]

  8. By brandy on Apr 19, 2007 | Reply

    Man, reading this made my mouth water and me wish for bubblegum. Though I like a lot of the kinds posted by other commenters, my heart will always be true to double bubble. Gum AND a cartoon?? Fantastic!

    [Reply to this comment]

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