Country singer Faith Hill poses in a bikini for the first time ever on the cover of next month’s issue of Shape magazine. What gave her the bravery to take the “bikini plunge” at the ripe ol’ age of 41? Besides the 18 cumulative man-hours of Photo Shop, I mean? Why, Pilates, of course! People magazine quotes her as saying

“[Pilates] was so hard, but ultimately so worth it. My core is much stronger, and my arms are more toned. In fact, wearing a bikini on a magazine cover is my 41st birthday present to myself.

I [can] bend in ways I haven’t been able to since I was a teenager. My husband [Tim McGraw] loves it!”

Pretty lame birthday present to yourself, if you ask me. I would have bought myself some diamonds or a new Bentley or one of those Swedish massages from Juandíssimo the randy pool boy at the parlor on 7th. Something that says, “I might be old and obsolete, but I can still buy happiness!” See Hugh Hefner for details.

Without the 18 hours of Photo Shop three months ago — yikes: