TAWANDA!

This post is a shout out to all those familiar with 'Fried Green Tomatoes' or anyone interested in a good holiday laugh.

Background info: 1. I am one week away from being 'full-term' as they say, which means that the belly has become more than obvious. 2. Joey has been preparing for and taking finals over the past two weeks, which means that Jacob and I have been fending for ourselves and for the most part doing pretty well.

The Story: I can't say that I experience much of a 'nesting' tendency with pregnancy, but I do maintain my usual need to make lists and cross things off. My list on Wednesday included a trip to the mall in order to hit a couple of stores while getting in and out of the car only once. I have to admit that I didn't even feel like I could accomplish that much, until I realized that the mall has "Expectant Mother" parking! With the little bit of enthusiasm that came from that realization, we headed out.

Now for the fun part! There were two cars in front of us as we entered the parking structure, so I just told myself to be patient and wait for the "E.M" parking. Well, the first car actually pulled into the only empty E.M. space, and I thought, "I guess I am out of luck today. I might have to come back another day!" (Yes, the thought of finding a regular parking space was enough to send me all the way home) Then, just as suddenly as they pulled in, they pulled out. Turns out it was an older couple who were probably not 'great with child'.

Now I only had one more car to wait for. Wouldn't you know it, that car also pulled into the space! Encouraged by the first driver's lack of pregnancy, I thought, "What are the chances that this person is actually pregnant?" Well, the chances were high enough that two young ladies (probably in their 20's) parked and got out of their car. However, their figures were showing no signs of pregnancy (at least not such obvious signs as my figure is showing lately). So with the threat of having to come back another time, I decided to confront them!

That's right, I pulled up behind their car, got out of my car, put my hands under and on top of my belly (to add emphasis to its already obvious size), exaggerated the waddle a little more than necessary, and then started the following conversation:

Me: Excuse me Miss, I really am an expectant mother, and I could really use that space." (Now that I think about it, this could have been really insulting, but it didn't dawn on me in the moment.)

Miss: (after hesitating for a minute) Well, we're pregnant too.

Me: (after watching her friend look at her like, are you crazy?!) Oh, in that case, it's fine!

Then I turned to get back in my car. As I got to the door, she said: (in a rather disgruntled voice)"Okay, we're not pregnant, we'll move!"

Sure enough, she moved, I parked, and Jacob and I survived our trip to the mall!

Considering all of the possible outcomes, I have got to give "Miss" props for deciding to leave the space, and I wish her all the holiday cheer she can stand! And, in an effort to avoid confronting any more strangers, I have now limited any possible outings to 1 stop and within 5 minutes, which basically means the grocery store. So, Malibu grocery shoppers BEWARE!

By the way, sorry for the lack of pictures. I just can't get up the courage to post this belly!