<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-30188-Magic-8-Ball/dp/B00001ZWV7" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3178" title="magic8" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/magic8.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>In the midst of my childhood <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/" target="_blank"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>Did you have one? </p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="color: #800080;">Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </span></strong></span></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>(And now that we're heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying "humbug" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know. </p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><span style="color: #800080;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I'm serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">a control freak</span>, <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </strong></span></span></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>But Hell's Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong><span style="color: #800080;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will "he" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will "he" show up in 2011?</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>5 minutes later...</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800080;"><strong><em>Whew!  </em></strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm glad we uncovered that important tidbit of information.  I was worried there for a second.   ;-) </span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>So here's the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it's telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I'm not sure why we're doing this.  <br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>We'll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>

<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="color: #800080;">What burning questions do you have for the Magic 8 Ball in 2011?  <br class="spacer_" /></span></strong></span><br class="spacer_" /></p>