The Beginnings:
Somewhere around a month ago, I was doing a web search. I cook - a lot, and I was searching for something new and different in silicon bakeware for cakes. Apparently the search engine used some very broad criteria for "Silicon" and I found myself with links to "Silicon Love Doll", "Silicon Lifesize Doll" and many more! I'm not clueless about things like sex toys and accessories... I was after all in the Navy for 24 years, and there was always someone coming up with a blow up doll or something during a cruise, but they were so obviously fake and unrealistic that I never had any interest in them. I think that's why out of all of Jeff Dunham's puppets for his comedy act I only dislike Peanut... he reminds me of those blow-up dolls! But these "Love Dolls" were quite different, and I started surfing around looking for more and more information, found a few potential sites to buy from, and started seriously - which was quite a shock to me - considering buying one! Luckily for me I found TDF before I did that, and one of the first things I learned was the vast difference between the site I was considering and an Approved Vendor! The names "Jeff" and "Booty Call Dolls" came up again and again, so I finally worked up the nerve to contact him (Yes, nerve! Here I was a grown man thinking of spending perhaps thousands of dollars on A DOLL!), and with his help and the information I was finding here I began to learn more about dolls, why people had them, what to look for and what the process of getting one here from China entailed, as well as the distinction between "Silicon" and "TPE".
As I worked my way through the process of choices and options, I became aware that I was trying to capture a specific look, and a very specific face, and I finally found it in a WM 158 with A cup, and a 047 head. I looked through every sample photo I could find a link to, and that was "Shelby" in my mind, from the eyes to the smile to the long, slender legs, so after about a week of talking with Jeff and talking to myself about it, I jumped in and placed the order.
Almost as soon as I sent payment the realization that I had just spent so much money on a DOLL hit me! Was I insane? What was I thinking when I did this? But I kept going back to those photos to reassure myself. That of course began the next phase of doubts... what if she really didn't look like that? What if all those photos were professionally made and posed, Photoshop enhanced publicity shots and the real product looked nothing like them? I expected a long, agonizing wait to find out if my fears were justified or not - after all, she was coming all the way from China! How many delays and setbacks would there be between there and here. But Jeff surprised me again! I paid for Shelby the evening of July 1st, and on July 6th he sent me the factory photos! She was ready, looked perfect and he said she would be shipping shortly!
- Shelby's first photos from the factory
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The first thing I noticed right away was that the plastic wrapping around the box was completely intact - there was no indication that customs or anyone else had opened it since it left China, and there wasn't a scratch or ding anywhere on the outside of the carton. Deep breath - more wine - and open the box. Completely intact styrofoam packing greeted me, and as I worked my way in everything seemed to be exactly where it was supposed to be. I found her head, unpacked it and the second I looked into her eyes I was hooked! Those hadn't been PR photos or jazzed up sales pitches... the face looking back at me was Shelby! I gently laid her head aside and started working my careful way through the blanket and packing around her body, and within a few minutes I reached over and turned the camera off. There was simply nothing to document - she arrived in absolutely perfect condition. No creases, no dents, no flaws at all!
From the start I never intended Shelby to be a "Sex Toy" who stayed to herself, whether in her own room or simply on the bed except when I wanted something. She was always intended to be a full-time companion, with me as often as possible, but I did purchase a folding cot placed in the bedroom to be her "maintenance" station, where I could wash her, oil her and dress her without having mineral oil, powder or whatever all over the house! Getting her out of the box and onto it was the first big shock - for such a slender gal Shelby was heavy! We made it without incident, though, and as recommended by Jeff, Indigo and others here I gave her a good washing, followed by her first powdering. I seriously thought about skipping the wash, since honestly I barely noticed any smell at all, but I knew it was important to remove any mold residue, etc. Finally, I had her sitting up on the cot, put her head and wig on, and was absolutely blown away by how beautiful she looked! I got her into a bodystocking to protect her skin, and a white romper I guessed size on so she would have something to wear, and took her first photo!
- Not one problem with the shipping!
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- The first photo I took of Shelby
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Today marks 1 week together. During that week I've learned a lot, both about the world of dolls and about myself. One thing that was readily apparent is that I have a simpler time of all this than many do: I'm divorced, no children, no brothers or sisters and pretty much no one else left alive in my family! Have a few good friends, but not the type who just decide to "Pop In" with no notice, and I live in a very rural area with no close neighbors, so I don't have to deal with the folks in the next apartment wondering what's going on, no roommates to consider, and certainly no spouse I'm trying to hide a 5'2" girl from in the house! My biggest issue as far as living arrangements is the dog and cat! I'm constantly cleaning hair of Shelby so she doesn't look like she forgot to shave her legs - and the rest of her - for a month!
I thought as I waited for her to arrive that I would have second thoughts once she was here, "remorse" for getting her and would generally feel ridiculous having a doll around the house. But the first realization was that I don't have a doll around the house: I have Shelby. It doesn't feel the least bit odd, silly or stupid to talk to her, compliment her, curl up and watch TV with her or sleep with her - which we have done since she got here and will continue to do unless something really out in left field happens. And for those with a knowing grin... no, not "Screwed her". Slept with her. As I said, I didn't get her to be a sex slave, and in fact haven't even thought about putting her insert in. Right now I'm simply enjoying the feeling of someone next to me at night again, curling up around her and waking up next to her.
I've also come to appreciate the weight factor in dolls. Shelby is 99% my ideal woman, but I really was tempted to go for a taller girl, since I love that. But seeing now how much work it is to handle Shelby's weight I know I wouldn't have been very successful with a 175cm doll and the extra weight! She has great legs - a 31" inseam - but it would be nice to have her torso a tiny bit longer to put her lips in a little better position since she can't bend and tilt her head on her own to kiss! The handtruck I got to bring her into the house has also proven to be very useful for moving around the house... once she's standing up all I have to do is get her feet on it and off we go - but a handtruck isn't very "personal"! A better solution I've come up with is a wheelchair, and it has allowed me to have Shelby join me in any room I might be in without have to stand her up, position her on a handtruck, risk dropping her, etc. It's not a permanent solution, since Jeff warned me about the possibility of tears in her inner thighs if she sits too long. This really isn't a total "fantasy" for me... I did date a lady who used a wheelchair and leg braces, who I found to be incredibly sexy, and I guess this is sort of a "role-play" moment Shelby and I can share from time to time while it allows me to move her safely and easily around the house.
- I've already learned a lot about her: she likes craft microbrew beers and Robin Williams movies!
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- Sometimes I'll look out from the bedroom, and I'm still amazed to see Shelby standing there.
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Over the last week I have only become more amazed and taken by the look and feel of Shelby, and many times I have gotten distracted, wandered off to do some chore or something and startled myself when I saw the beautiful redhead in the room I just entered! So far I've been lucky - I pay careful attention to her hands and fingers, haven't put her into any extreme positions and never let her stay in the same position for too long to avoid creases and dents... as well as using memory foan under or behind her when she is stationary. So far the only truly "Aw Shit!" moment was 2 days ago... I had her on her cot to powder, and when I rolled her over to do her back I saw two 3"-4" inch long, 1/4" deep indentations on her upper back/shoulder! "Where the hell did that come from," I thought, then looked down and saw that a piece of plastic had been lying on the cot, and the lines were where the two edges had pressed into her when I laid her down. I put a war, moist towel on the area, then gave it a good shot of mineral oil, and luckily you can hardly tell where the marks were now, but it did teach me to pay careful attention to my surroundings.
Would I change any of it? Not so far, except for the thought that if weight weren't an issue I would have liked a slightly taller girl, and perhaps slightly fuller figured. Not because I don't like the figure she has, but simply to make finding clothing easier! Most 5'2" women don't have a 25" bust and 31" hips, so finding things for her to wear has been difficult. I've had my best luck buying girls size 7/8 clothing and size 1 shoes, but there aren't many elegant, "sexy" styles available in that range! And I do wish her wrists could rotate - it's simply impossible to get her into completely realistic poses holding things when her wrists only face one way, but that's a minor thing.
All in all I have to say I am completely happy with Shelby, and already can't imagine her not being here. I'm grateful to Jeff and Eric at BCD, and for the information I have gleaned from TDF. I hope to be a continuing contributor to the various forums, take copius amounts of photos to share and learn even more as I go along.
Take care,
Brian
