Getting ready isn't quite like it used to be.

Then: Throw on the sluttiest things you own, down a few pre-party drinks, and you're out the door.

Now: Strips of cloth that once served as shirts are replaced with more modest apparel that hides the bulging brought on by years of drinking and eating with reckless abandon. Ideally we will try on a good half-dozen before finding one that covers everything that needs covering. Furthermore, all of the shirts will be black because, ladies, I think we all know that black is a very slimming color. Gone are our stiletto-heeled 'f*ck me boots:' tonight we are wearing sensible shoes that will not blister our feet or cause our falling arches to ache. Oh, and we can't forget to bring the 'mom bag' filled with everything we may need while out and about on the town-- eye drops, kleenex, band-aids, aspirin...

Now that we're all suitably prepared, it's gonna be a fun night! However do keep in mind that it will not be a LONG night. Afterall, we will be meeting up with the girls in the morning for exercise class at the gym.