[Soft*Silver]

it happened again. And older woman came into my store and after she had touched (and I mean that..touched, not gone through) three racks, she turned to me with tears in her eyes and said "I am so glad you are here"

this astounds me every time.

It also astounds me when I ask women what size they are, so i can help them look, sometimes their faces change, like I just insulted them. I asked them for a number. Not if they had masturbated that morning. But I might as well have! Fear, anger, shame, fierce self protectiveness from cruelty....man it all races across their face. I have learned to hold their eyes and smile...softly...not too much because then it becomes obscene. A soft smile with soft eyes, as tho to say "ease up missus, I mean you no harm"

and sure enough, they ease up. They realize they are safe to say that number out loud. No one is going to laugh. Or taunt. Or sneer. Nor shame.

I watch as people pass by my window display where it is written what sizes we carry. Women sometimes stop in, but sometimes, I see the look change from curious, to that innate sense of fight or flight and they run...women who are obviously plus size. These women, I figure, are so out of body, they cannot even conceive of being seen reading a plus size store window....I could be misreading them but I have seen this occur several times. They turn tail and run away...

I had a dog and her owner come into the store today. Her missus didnt want to come in but I beckoned her. I need to keep a treat bowl for pups in the store!

Some children came in with mom, and they were SO EXCITED I had a play area. And were so good..they picked up after themselves. Mom was SO EXCITED she could shop without kids whining they were bored. I did good!

I had a steady flow of customers all day. My biggest fear was I would create this shop and no one would come. And the people coming, are coming in from very little advertising. Just wait until I get more marketing out there!

Life...is good.