The Booty is Back!

I am going to share an observation I've had over the past couple of years, though I do so at the risk of sounding ignorant or racist. (remember, I did grow up in Appalachia country...)
I tend to gain wright in my hips, butt and thighs before anywhere else on my body, so proportionately they are bigger than my waist, bust, etc.
I've been doing lots of weight training and exercising the past couple of years, so I often wear form-fitting, sretchy exercise clothes (even when I'm not working out) And in this time, I've had multiple occasions when I am entering a store and I'll be passing someone who is existing the store. Usual stuff, yes. However if the person I am passing happens to be a black man, either alone or in the company of another black man, many times one of them will look at my butt and make a comment to me or about me (intending for me to hear it). Examples I've heard are: "That's nice" "Mmm hmmm" and "How are you doing?" ( the last one seems innocent enough, but the fact that it is addressed to my butt in a sultry tone changes things)
Anyway, on to the point of my story. While preparing for a figure competition, I lost 20 lbs. During the time that I was smaller (and had significantly less booty) I received no such comments (though I did notice more looks/stares from white guys). After my competition I put most of the pounds back on (though I don't take full credit for this; I have had migraines and awful neck/shoulder pain from a car accident and haven't been able to work out as much as I normally would have).
I was at Kroger yesterday, entering the building as two black men were exiting. One of them turned and watched me walk in the store. I just kept going, but I had to grab a basket for shopping. When I bent down to pick one up I saw the guy still watching me with a big smile on his face. I was embarrassed, so I just walked away quickly, laughing to myself.
Evidentally, the booty is back...

Dang, it's been a while!

I've had a series of mini-complications, I'll call them, in the past couple of months. As a result, I haven't posted much. I hope to be back on a regular schedule now.
Lotus has been having a bit of a behavior/medical problem that involves lots of changes of clothes and dirty laundry. She seems to be getting better, but it isn't completely resolved yet.
Celest has a renewed obsession with makeup, in particular Cover Girl and Loreal. I have to closely supervise her though, as her favorite thing to do is eat the lipstick. Second to eating it, her next favorite thing to do is draw large, clownish expressions on her face.
I finally competed in a figure competition. I didn't place well, but I did meet my two goals: not to fall down and make a complete fool of myself and not to come in last place. Next year I hope to do better.