<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520" title="SI Exif" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday's <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/" target="_blank"><strong>Experiments in Jack O'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>

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<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>

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<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>

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<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn't it?)  If the costume isn't broke, why fix it? </p>

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<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That's a lot of days to fill! </p>

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<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>

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<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>

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<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  "You will need a costume.  You can't post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year." </p>

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<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle's costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook "friend" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>

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<p>Exactly.</p>

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<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle's favorite peeps, Michelle tend to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>

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<p>So, against Michelle's better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maxium shopping capacity. </p>

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<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>

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<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>

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<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm's eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman's costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old "standby" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>

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<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  "Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!"</p>

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<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  "Wear shorts under."</p>

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<p>Oh, that's sexy!  I think I'll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade. </p>

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<p>Exhibit A:<br class="spacer_" /></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>