Close Encounter at the Grocery Store

It's late afternoon on Monday, and Jordan's (the name of the grocery store) is quite busy.

Bruce (Shantavia's new beau) has stopped in to get a few things.

"Hello sir.  Did you find everything ok?"  (Deidre)

Deidre just recently started working here part time.  She still works at David's gym on the weekends.

"Yes, I did."  (Bruce)

"Lola, let's go get the ice cream."  (Donte)

Remember the Morettis?  Mom, Penelope owns the local bakery.  Unfortunately we didn't get to see the masterful wedding cake she made for Rod and Danielle.

"Are you going to help mommy pick some vegetables?"  (Penelope)

Stopping to quickly introduce this new family.  I don't know their last name and I don't know the mom's name yet.  The dad is Sean.  There's Shannon, 8 yrs old.  She's Nikaya's friend.  She's been seen on the basketball court and at the dance studio.  Tommy, 2 1/2 yrs old, and Sara Elizabeth, 8 mos, round out the family.  

Tommy has his cart and he is raring to go.

Oops, there goes Tommy!  Shannon has decided to ride on the back of the cart.  

"Sean, will you please keep up with Tommy?"  (Mom)

"I'm on it."  (Sean)

Bruce finishes checking out and heads out.  He doesn't even notice the guy and little girl that just entered.  He is tired from a long day and anxious to get home.  Jason and Jada have stopped by the store to pick up some milk and eggs that Lynn (his wife) needs.

"Daddy, daddy, it's Mr. Bruce!"  (Jada)

Bruce doesn't hear his name and continues out the door.

"Mr. Bruce?  Who is Mr. Bruce?"  (Jason)

"He's my friend."  (Jada)

"I'm sure that at 5 yrs old, you do not have a friend named Mr. Bruce."  (Jason)

"Uh huh, Daddy.  He comes over and plays with me."  (Jada)

Although Jada's comments are innocent enough, Jason is imagining all kinds of bad things.  He is anxious to  talk to Shantavia to see if she knows anything about this Mr. Bruce.

Donte has returned with the ice cream.  He mistakenly put Lola in the basket with Lanzo and I guess he wasn't happy about it.  Lanzo expresses his discontent by striking his sister. (I did not stage the fight between the twins.)

"Lanzo! Do not hit your sister."  (Dad)

"Can I get two of your pork loins?"  (Penelope)

"No problem."  (Manager)

Tommy is on the move.

"This one, Mommy?"  (Shannon)

"Yes.  We also need some butter."  (Mom)

"Lanzo, is that you causing all that ruckus?  (Mom)

How can you get mad at a face like that.  

"Did you find everything, sir?"  (Deidre)

"Yes, thanks."  (Jason)

"Daddy, can I get some candy?"  (Jada)

Jada has apparently spotted the lollipops so conveniently placed on the counter.  Most days she is able to charm her dad into giving her a treat.  Not today.  Jason's mind is on one thing.  Mr. Bruce 'playing with' his daughter.

"Not today, Jada.  We have to go."  (Jason)

"Well hello there, cutie."  (Deidre)

"Hi.  Do you have some candy?"  (Jada)

"Jada, we don't ask strangers for candy."  (Jason)

This quick trip to the grocery store has turned into an eye opening experience for Jason.  

The customers are steadily coming into the store.  There's Mia, the assistant from Chang Realty.  She has just picked up her daughter from the daycare and stopped in to get a few things for dinner.

Isn't her daughter the cutest?  I think this is a clone Kelly from one of the Dollar stores.  She and quite a few others were gifted to me primarily for the clothes, I think.  But when I saw this face, I fell in love.  She has cheeks for days.

So  Jordan's seems to be doing quite well.  There's been a couple of store fixture additions, and some rearranging since we last saw the store.  It will go through many  changes over the new couple of months.

Wanted to take a moment to show Deidre's skirt.  I finally opened up one of my LIV store displays.  The mannequin came with several pieces of material that could be used for various outfits.  I used one piece as a skirt and I was really pleased with it.  Who knew a big ol' rectangle of material could look so cute?

Of course in the back there's a lot of extra material.  This could be solved by sewing a straight stitch from top to bottom to make the rectangle smaller.

 Preview of what's to come:

There's a new sofa and chair on the way.  The sofa just needs throw pillows and I need to finish the chair.  It will be offered as a set for about a week and if it doesn't sell in that time, it will be separated and sold as separate pieces.

Airbrushing Bodies

Believe it or not, I pulled out and plugged in the airbrush today.  How long have I been wanting to do this?

Well stay tuned for an upcoming post to see how successful I am at making some darker skinned bodies.