I’m fading fast, but it has been such a great day that I must get it down while it’s fresh in my mind.

Before I talk about my day, I need to report that I got my ears pierced yesterday. I’m going to be wearing dresses soon, and when I do I’ll need to accessorize.

A friend sent me a message telling me that the Cracker Barrel where he lives was displaying vintage ladies wear and that it had reminded him of me. So, I decided to check out our local Cracker Barrel and see if they were carrying the same stuff.

It’s a bit of a drive; and on the way I stopped at a Walmart where I never shop to pick up another package of Hanes size 10s, because six pairs of briefs are not enough. Since I never shop there, I took my time in the women’s department, checking to see if they have the ever-elusive cheap white camisoles (they didn’t) or any cute t-shirts I could wear mall walking – yes, I’m becoming more open. I can’t help myself. Nothing struck my fancy, and I left.

I got to the Cracker Barrel, and found the vintage ladies’ wear. In my current circumstances, it was a bit more than I could afford – even if they had anything in my size, which they didn’t. I paid my taxes today and there just isn’t any discretionary money at the moment. Anything I spend comes out of the food budget. However, I saw some clearance racks and looked at that stuff; and, golly wow, I found a tan cardigan, size XXXL, priced at $20 (half-price). If I had an outfit it would go with I would have eaten rice and beans for the next week to get it. But, alas, I’m just starting out, and I don’t have anything. I did hold it up against me, even though there were several women shopping in the same area. I just didn’t care.

After leaving Cracker Barrel, I went to the mall to walk my three laps. The mall opens for walkers at 8:00, but the stores don’t open until 10:00; so, the stores are never open when I’m there. However, today, I got to the mall around 9:30; so, after walking a lap or so, the stores started to open – and, by the time I had done two laps, they were all open. So, on my third lap, I started stopping in at some of the stores selling ladies’ wear or jewelry as I passed.

I’m not going to discuss the big box stores I visited, other than to say that no salesperson approached me as I browsed. My second, and best, stop was at a little boutique that I pass every morning while walking. They have the most attractive lounging wear in an Indian (from India) motif that always catches my eye, and which looked like it might possibly fit me. Today, the store was open, and I went in. I walked over to the lounging wear and checked it out. It was too small; but, while I was standing there, the saleswoman came up to me. She was very outgoing. I told her that I passed the window frequently and found the lounging wear in the window striking. She responded by telling me a little bit about its virtues. I then replied, “But I don’t think it will fit me.” She didn’t bat an eye, and responded that she was always having the same problem. She let me browse. I limited myself to ladies’ wear exclusively, and I’m sure she noticed. When I found a lovely long skirt that looked like it might fit me, she came back and started telling me about it. I pointed out the “lovely stretch waistband”; I’m sure she knew I was thinking of wearing it myself. Alas, it was over $30, so I had to pass it up. But I would have liked to have it. I’m partial to long skirts. When I left the store, I thanked her, called her by name and said I’d be back. She was very friendly. Oh, I didn’t mention; she had asked my name when she gave me hers, and I gave her my first name (legal). Am I coming out, or what?

I was ignored at the other stores I visited. But there was one that I may have mentioned before, that I pass by every day, that has all this lovely, delicate stuff on display – necklaces, rings, earrings, etc. It was open, and there were no customers. The salesgirl was busy with some kind of paperwork, it seemed. I asked her if she minded if I browsed. Of course, she said No. I then told her that the place was a candy store and that I was partial to delicate little things. She replied that they did have a lot of that kind of stuff. I spent some time there, particularly with the earrings. I found some cubic zirconia sets that I may buy one of when I can. They’re shiny, but understated; and I’m an understated kind of girl.

So, I shopped for girl clothes and didn’t hide it. And I loved doing it.

You know, if I got caught by someone I know holding a dress up against my body, I think I would just tell them everything, and let the chips fall where they may. That probably sounds crazy; there’s a little corner of my own rational mind that is nodding furiously at that assessment. But I just can’t care. I am meant to wear girl clothes; we all might as well just get used to it.

Best think about cracker barrel is the clearance corner.... Otherwise yes they can be a bit high.