First Line of Defense.

So, I got a sunburn on April 17.

Not a bad one, but you know, red, tender all that. On my shoulders, neck, a bit on my forearms.

I am publicly declaring this will be the one and only sunburn I get this season.
Yep, the only one.

See, the thing is, on the whole I'm pretty strictly anti-cancer. I've known two great people who have died of skin cancer, and both Matthew's parents and mine have had large patches of face and other parts removed thanks to ol' skin canceresque molies.

So... I'm just not playing. I'm not playing the game that says I need to have a tan to be pretty, to feel good about myself, or to be sexy for my man. If you've seen Matthew, you know that he's whiter than me. And, Praise Jesus, he likes his ladies thataway. So ... no worries there.

How shall I defend myself? I regularly wear SPF 35 facial lotion and makeup that has SPF 15 in it. As of one week ago I now mix in some 85 SPF with my moisturizer, and I wear it on all exposed parts. I am tracking all moles and the like on my body too, just to I can be aware of what's up.

I also plan to get a ridiculously large sun hat to wear when gardening or outside at all, and I will be wearing brimmed hats more often to protect my chalky-white scalp.

I know I got burned a handful of times as a child, and often chose not to wear sunscreen in high school. As much as I HATE to admit it, I even fake baked in a tanning booth just shy of a dozen times. YIPES. That was in the era of acrylic nails too...don't judge! So here's the thing... I'm already behind. Aside from the fact that I have blue eyes, light brown (naturally, yes, light brown... shut your mouth)hair, and pale freckled skin, I have deliberately exposed myself to harmful rays for the sake of my vanity. OY.

So... I quit! Like I said, I'm not buying what yer sellin. I like the look of tanned arms, and sure, I'll spend time in the sun! I LOVE the sun! But that's just it. I'll wear sunscreen, I'll be smart, and I will not fakebake ever again. Oh no no no.

My challenge to you is... quit too! At least quit being irresponsible about your sun exposure. And ladies... come on. Keep your face OUT of the sun! We've seen leatherfaces about... that's what happens to YOU when you're in the sun too much! Not just the ladies in Miami! WEAR SUNSCREEN. You'll still get color! We're young now, but it adds up, it really does! And when you lay out (if you must... I know some of you crazies are just made to soak up sun), then STILL WEAR SUN SCREEN and COVER YOUR FACE!

Rant over. Cheers to a summer of smelling like sunscreen!