It’s really just a whole lot of nothin‘ around here. I mean, not really. This is the busiest week of the summer so far, culminating in the wedding of one of my best friends (read: a WHOLE weekend alone with no kids!). A has been at an arts camp during the days this week, so I’ve had the rare opportunity to be a one-on-one parent to the J-Bird. Mostly it’s been delightful. Except for her new favorite word: “Nope.” Everything is “nope.” It is so beyond the cute stage and about knee-deep into highly irritating.

In preparation for the big wedding and bridesmaid’s dress with spaghetti straps, I’ve been hitting the self tanner pretty hard. Like, twice a day. It’s just to fill in tan lines, but still. The smell gives me a headache. D just rolls his eyes and laughs at me. He apparently doesn’t see the warning signs of addiction.

I’m realizing that beyond the self-tanner, it takes an awful lot of hard work to get this old post-childbearing body into some semblance of shape where I will look at least somewhat decent baring my arms in public. I’ve been soaking my feet in the hopes of eliminating callouses (so far, no dice). I’ve been painting nail strengthener on my nails. Daily. Every time we go to the pool I walk the fine line of tanning a little more without burning. I dug through my drawer today to find the most appropriate mostly-lycra piece of undergarment apparel that will hold my flab in and still allow me to breathe, and I’m still having the hose vs. no hose debate (so far, I’m still leaning fairly strongly toward no hose. I suppose if I don’t buy any and don’t have them in the suitcase that will answer the question, right?).

Frankly, I’m exhausted.

I did, however, find the most adorable pair of flip-flops to wear at the reception. I realized the moment that I was asked to be a part of this wedding that uncomfortable shoes were going to be part of the deal, so that’s my compromise. Pinchy sandals for the ceremony, flips for the reception. And the bride is totally OK with that.

Now. If I can just get a haircut that is as cute as the one Annie got today, we’ll be all set (check out the badass smirk!).