Where's the Fat Lady with the Big Boobs?

First things first:  Dad is doing much better.  He got out of the hospital on Friday.  It looks like the severe pain, etc. was not disease related, but most likely the result of exposure to toxins, molds, and chemicals while working under the house for two weeks with no respirator or mask.  That's the good news.  The better news is that Dad will start wearing a mask while doing repairs under the house.

The leading comment comes from sneaking over to Mom's office after taking a lunch break at the hospital.  I know a lot of the folks who work at Mom's office quite well, and they are my friends as well as my Mom's.  Mom's best friend came back from lunch and called out the question: "Where's the fat lady with the big boobs!?!??!"   I happily obliged by sticking out both boobs and belly.  You have to love going to an OB/GYN practice (where my mom works) when you're pg.  They know all the right things to say:  you look great; you're only gaining weight in your belly; your face isn't puffed (i..e, no extra weight).  All the good things.  I don't care if they were all lying like rugs, I'm happy to hear it! 

BTW, if you're wondering if the question was serious or funny, let me explain something to you about southern humor. We're understated.  Understated sometimes to the point of being opposite!  In fact, let me give you an example which may help demonstrate the subtleties of southern humor.  When I lived in Toluca Lake, CA, I ran 6 miles about every morning.  My route was nice because I could pass by Bob Hope's house, run past tons of other' actor's mansions and circle around Warner Brother's studios before turning towards home.  One morning, I was running along and saw a tall man walking his dogs and wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses.  As this was 6 am in the morning, I knew this man was likely some star in "disguise" to keep photographers away.  It didn't matter to be because 1) I wasn't wearing my glasses and he was generally fuzzy anyway, and 2)  I'm awful at identiying stars.  I just can't do it. 

So I'm jogging along, and I'm about to pass him, and he's looking a little nervous about how I will respond.  I give him the same "Morning!" greeting that I call out to everyone on my runs and keep going.  However, I did think to myself as I trotted past:  "That man is NOT ugly."  I saw him off and on for several weeks, using the same "Morning!"  greeting when I met him.  Once I passed him and I saw him smile and I thought I read on his face "She has no idea who I am."  And he was right.  It was not until months later that I figured that this man was actually Andy Garcia.  Whom I would like to point out that truly, he is not ugly.  So, subtleties of  southern humor, get it?? 

Anywho, the rest of the week was just as crazy as the first of the week with the exception of no more relatives entering and leaving the hospital.  Yesterday, Dave and I worked out booties off around the house again.  I finished putting in the spring garden.  Dave planted the day lillies.  I weeded the front beds.  I finally finished reorganizing the closets from the moves.  We bought quarts of paint for the other rooms we're painting, and headed to Hope Depot for some pine needles for the new plant beds.  Best of all:  Dave put up our new front porch swing....which is waaaaay cool!  It doesn't seem like much, but I was exhausted.  After dinner, I thought i'd lie down for a few minutes and rest up for  the evening.  Two hours later, Dave's encouraging me to put on my pjs.  I ended up sleeping 10 hours last night and could have slept 1-2 more.  I think it was a very rough and tiring week.  And next week doesn't promise to be much better. 

Off to work on reports, papers, test and lectures.  Fun Sunday, eh???

9:13:04 AM