Plastic Jewelry

By now, most of you know that I have a nose ring (stud, actually--gotta make that differentiation--not a hoop). Anywho, I really like it and am happy that it's small but definitely "there." I have found myself not wearing earrings as much now, just so I won't have so much bling all up in the facial region. See Mom, adding the nose ring actually subracted the earrings!
:-P
Since I've only had it for 5 weeks, I've had to be very careful when it comes to playing softball. I really have tried to cover it up and make sure it's not an issue on the softball field, but apparently I didn't do a good enough job of that this past Sunday.
Before our games, I put a small spot band-aid over the nose ring, just to keep it clean and hidden so the umpire wouldn't pitch a fit about me having jewelry on the field (a violation of the rules--NO jewelry is allowed). I knew that I couldn't take the ring out because it's not fully healed and I didn't want to have it close up on me. Thinking I was good to go, I went up to bat. Right as I got up there, the umpire asked my name, and then told me that there was to be no taping of jewelry on his field. How in the world did he know what was under my band-aid (and under my sunglasses, might I add)?? Anywho, I told him that it was still new and I couldn't take it out. He informed me that he was going to be kind just this once, but that come next week it had to be gone or I couldn't play. Oy!

I have since been on the hunt for a flesh-colored or clear retainer of some sort. They have them online, but I knew it would take too long to get here, so I decided to make a stop at the friendly local tattoo parlor to see if they had any. The piercer (nicknamed "The Jew") met me at the counter. I described to him what I was looking for, and he had this piece of advice...."Here's what I want you to do--go buy a shirt or a pair of pants."

Oooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkk......

"Bear with me," he said, "I am going somewhere with this. What you are needing is the plastic piece that holds the tag on to the piece of clothing. You want to snip off the tiny end piece that is usually inside the clothing. Be careful not to lose it--because that is what you are going to use as your nose ring retainer."

At first I thought he was crazy, but after he drew me a picture and explained how to cut it just right, I thought he was a genius. :)

Needless to say, John and I made a trip to Wal-Mart last night and bought Caitlin a pair of much-needed school pants. I removed the tag from them and kept the plastic piece for my nose.

I know, I know....all of this for a stupid nose ring?!? Ha! I can't do anything simple can I?

Here is a picture just so you can see what I'm going to have to insert in my nose ring hole during the softball games (JUST the little end piece--I trimmed the longer section off). If the umpire gets huffy with me over this, I'm gonna be a tad grumpy. After all, it's NOT jewelry....technically speaking of course.
Now here's my question: Who in the world thought of this and then actually tried it out?????
I AM going to purchase a real one online, just in case you were wondering if I'm going to walk around with a tiny piece of clothing tag in my nostril at every game. LOL