So I'll be heading to sunny West Palm Beach, Florida in 2 weeks for a sort of mini family reunion. My Aunt Suzie is turning the big 5-0 (on Halloween proper) so they are throwing her a big party. Well, I might be making that part up, but a celebration of some kind will be had by all and family will be flying in from Peru. So I couldn't pass it up.

Which got me to thinking about the last time I was in West Palm, (about 4 years ago). I hadn't seen one of my uncles in quite some time, since I was living in NYC and weighed about 20 lbs. We had all just finished having some drinks and were lazily walking towards the cars to head back to his house. He ends up beside me, puts his arm around me and says how nice is to see me, glad I could visit, etc...etc...THEN, he says, and I quote, "I see you've been hitting the mashed potatoes...AND the gravy!"

I couldn't move. I couldn't speak! Mortification had taken over my body. I kept hearing his comment in slow motion, "Aaaaaand theeee graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavyyyyyyyyyy." I was just absolutely stunned. I mean, I knew I had gained weight since living in New York, but not 50 lbs! And certainly not enough to deserve the now infamous mashed potatoes comment.

Needless to say, somehow I got through that horrid moment and he ended up apologizing and everything is all fine and dandy, etc... And I'm sure he would never mash potato me again, but... just to be on the safe side, I don't think I'll be eating very much for the next 2 weeks.