(9660,1,'2012-02-20 20:50:01','2012-02-21 03:50:01','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees nearly drool over the anticipation of the 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.  Forget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-40','','','2012-02-20 20:50:01','2012-02-21 03:50:01','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(9661,1,'2012-02-20 20:50:01','2012-02-21 03:50:01','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees nearly drool over the anticipation of the 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.  Forget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-41','','','2012-02-20 20:50:01','2012-02-21 03:50:01','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(9662,1,'2012-02-20 20:51:40','2012-02-21 03:51:40','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.  Forget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-42','','','2012-02-20 20:51:40','2012-02-21 03:51:40','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-42/',0,'revision','',0),(9663,1,'2012-02-20 20:51:40','2012-02-21 03:51:40','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.  Forget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-43','','','2012-02-20 20:51:40','2012-02-21 03:51:40','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-43/',0,'revision','',0),(9664,1,'2012-02-20 20:51:57','2012-02-21 03:51:57','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.  Forget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-44','','','2012-02-20 20:51:57','2012-02-21 03:51:57','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-44/',0,'revision','',0),(9665,1,'2012-02-20 20:51:57','2012-02-21 03:51:57','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.  Forget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-45','','','2012-02-20 20:51:57','2012-02-21 03:51:57','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-45/',0,'revision','',0),(9666,1,'2012-02-20 20:52:24','2012-02-21 03:52:24','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.  Forget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-46','','','2012-02-20 20:52:24','2012-02-21 03:52:24','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-46/',0,'revision','',0),(9667,1,'2012-02-20 20:52:24','2012-02-21 03:52:24','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.  Forget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-47','','','2012-02-20 20:52:24','2012-02-21 03:52:24','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(9670,1,'2012-02-20 20:54:25','2012-02-21 03:54:25','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-50','','','2012-02-20 20:54:25','2012-02-21 03:54:25','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-50/',0,'revision','',0),(9668,1,'2012-02-20 20:53:03','2012-02-21 03:53:03','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-48','','','2012-02-20 20:53:03','2012-02-21 03:53:03','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-48/',0,'revision','',0),(9669,1,'2012-02-20 20:53:03','2012-02-21 03:53:03','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike other women past the age of 29 who start to dread their birthday with each passing year, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-49','','','2012-02-20 20:53:03','2012-02-21 03:53:03','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-49/',0,'revision','',0),(9671,1,'2012-02-20 20:54:25','2012-02-21 03:54:25','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Kind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-51','','','2012-02-20 20:54:25','2012-02-21 03:54:25','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-51/',0,'revision','',0),(9672,1,'2012-02-20 20:55:17','2012-02-21 03:55:17','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-52','','','2012-02-20 20:55:17','2012-02-21 03:55:17','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-52/',0,'revision','',0),(9673,1,'2012-02-20 20:55:17','2012-02-21 03:55:17','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her semi-opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-53','','','2012-02-20 20:55:17','2012-02-21 03:55:17','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-53/',0,'revision','',0),(9674,1,'2012-02-20 20:58:14','2012-02-21 03:58:14','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-54','','','2012-02-20 20:58:14','2012-02-21 03:58:14','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-54/',0,'revision','',0),(9675,1,'2012-02-20 20:58:14','2012-02-21 03:58:14','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded with not only milk &amp; cookies, but with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  And I had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-55','','','2012-02-20 20:58:14','2012-02-21 03:58:14','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-55/',0,'revision','',0),(9676,1,'2012-02-20 20:59:53','2012-02-21 03:59:53','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-56','','','2012-02-20 20:59:53','2012-02-21 03:59:53','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-56/',0,'revision','',0),(9677,1,'2012-02-20 20:59:54','2012-02-21 03:59:54','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-57','','','2012-02-20 20:59:54','2012-02-21 03:59:54','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-57/',0,'revision','',0),(9678,1,'2012-02-20 21:00:10','2012-02-21 04:00:10','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-58','','','2012-02-20 21:00:10','2012-02-21 04:00:10','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-58/',0,'revision','',0),(9679,1,'2012-02-20 21:00:10','2012-02-21 04:00:10','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-59','','','2012-02-20 21:00:10','2012-02-21 04:00:10','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-59/',0,'revision','',0),(9680,1,'2012-02-20 21:02:18','2012-02-21 04:02:18','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-60','','','2012-02-20 21:02:18','2012-02-21 04:02:18','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-60/',0,'revision','',0),(9681,1,'2012-02-20 21:02:18','2012-02-21 04:02:18','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-61','','','2012-02-20 21:02:18','2012-02-21 04:02:18','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-61/',0,'revision','',0),(9682,1,'2012-02-20 21:02:22','2012-02-21 04:02:22','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-62','','','2012-02-20 21:02:22','2012-02-21 04:02:22','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-62/',0,'revision','',0),(9683,1,'2012-02-20 21:02:22','2012-02-21 04:02:22','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, I\'m always open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-63','','','2012-02-20 21:02:22','2012-02-21 04:02:22','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-63/',0,'revision','',0),(9684,1,'2012-02-20 21:03:26','2012-02-21 04:03:26','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-64','','','2012-02-20 21:03:26','2012-02-21 04:03:26','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-64/',0,'revision','',0),(9685,1,'2012-02-20 21:03:26','2012-02-21 04:03:26','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.  ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-65','','','2012-02-20 21:03:26','2012-02-21 04:03:26','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-65/',0,'revision','',0),(9686,1,'2012-02-20 21:08:13','2012-02-21 04:08:13','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  It\'s a birthday gift of sorts for all of your future birthdays nearing 40.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-66','','','2012-02-20 21:08:13','2012-02-21 04:08:13','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-66/',0,'revision','',0),(9689,1,'2012-02-20 21:08:23','2012-02-21 04:08:23','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  It\'s a birthday gift of sorts for all of your future birthdays nearing 40.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-69','','','2012-02-20 21:08:23','2012-02-21 04:08:23','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-69/',0,'revision','',0),(9687,1,'2012-02-20 21:08:13','2012-02-21 04:08:13','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  It\'s a birthday gift of sorts for all of your future birthdays nearing 40.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-67','','','2012-02-20 21:08:13','2012-02-21 04:08:13','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-67/',0,'revision','',0),(9688,1,'2012-02-20 21:08:23','2012-02-21 04:08:23','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret.  It\'s a birthday gift of sorts for all of your future birthdays nearing 40.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-68','','','2012-02-20 21:08:23','2012-02-21 04:08:23','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-68/',0,'revision','',0),(9690,1,'2012-02-20 21:10:21','2012-02-21 04:10:21','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-70','','','2012-02-20 21:10:21','2012-02-21 04:10:21','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-70/',0,'revision','',0),(9691,1,'2012-02-20 21:10:21','2012-02-21 04:10:21','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-71','','','2012-02-20 21:10:21','2012-02-21 04:10:21','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-71/',0,'revision','',0),(9692,1,'2012-02-20 21:10:30','2012-02-21 04:10:30','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-72','','','2012-02-20 21:10:30','2012-02-21 04:10:30','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-72/',0,'revision','',0),(9693,1,'2012-02-20 21:10:30','2012-02-21 04:10:30','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho is part of the Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-73','','','2012-02-20 21:10:30','2012-02-21 04:10:30','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-73/',0,'revision','',0),(9702,1,'2012-02-20 21:16:56','2012-02-21 04:16:56','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho would like to join our Jammies Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-82','','','2012-02-20 21:16:56','2012-02-21 04:16:56','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-82/',0,'revision','',0),(9694,1,'2012-02-20 21:11:29','2012-02-21 04:11:29','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho would like to join our Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-74','','','2012-02-20 21:11:29','2012-02-21 04:11:29','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-74/',0,'revision','',0),(9695,1,'2012-02-20 21:11:29','2012-02-21 04:11:29','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho would like to join our Jammy Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-75','','','2012-02-20 21:11:29','2012-02-21 04:11:29','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-75/',0,'revision','',0),(9696,1,'2012-02-20 21:12:42','2012-02-21 04:12:42','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho would like to join our Jammies Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-76','','','2012-02-20 21:12:42','2012-02-21 04:12:42','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-76/',0,'revision','',0),(9697,1,'2012-02-20 21:12:42','2012-02-21 04:12:42','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho would like to join our Jammies Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-77','','','2012-02-20 21:12:42','2012-02-21 04:12:42','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-77/',0,'revision','',0),(9698,1,'2012-02-20 21:12:49','2012-02-21 04:12:49','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho would like to join our Jammies Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-78','','','2012-02-20 21:12:49','2012-02-21 04:12:49','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-78/',0,'revision','',0),(9699,1,'2012-02-20 21:12:49','2012-02-21 04:12:49','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know who\'s blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho would like to join our Jammies Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-79','','','2012-02-20 21:12:49','2012-02-21 04:12:49','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-79/',0,'revision','',0),(9700,1,'2012-02-20 21:14:03','2012-02-21 04:14:03','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know whose blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho would like to join our Jammies Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-80','','','2012-02-20 21:14:03','2012-02-21 04:14:03','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-80/',0,'revision','',0),(9701,1,'2012-02-20 21:14:03','2012-02-21 04:14:03','[caption id=\"attachment_9625\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"The Jammy Brigade\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9625\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9625\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends are obsessed with jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I\'ve had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEpic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nForget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/\" target=\"_blank\">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she\'s not a nun, it\'s just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I\'m not really sure why it\'s her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKind of like someone else we know whose blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other\'s birthday language.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World\'s Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it\'s Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe happily obliged.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9626\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9626\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can\'t remember because I\'ve celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of \"cheaters\" a few weeks ago.  They\'re hottie ones in the style of <a href=\"http://www.lisaloeb.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I\'m off to put on my jammies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut before I go . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd before you\'re too freaked out, 29ers . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I wouldn\'t go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou\'ll see what I mean when you get there.  It\'s well worth the wait.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho would like to join our Jammies Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let\'s be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9627\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9627\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9627 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #6:  Pajama Brunch','','inherit','open','open','','9616-revision-81','','','2012-02-20 21:14:03','2012-02-21 04:14:03','',9616,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/20/9616-revision-81/',0,'revision','',0),(9705,1,'2012-02-21 19:56:12','2012-02-22 02:56:12','','IMG00012-20120221-1248','I found the baby!  (Kind of.)','inherit','open','open','','img00012-20120221-1248-2','','','2012-02-21 19:56:12','2012-02-22 02:56:12','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9706,1,'2012-02-21 20:32:07','2012-02-22 03:32:07','','IMG00014-20120221-1300','','inherit','open','open','','img00014-20120221-1300','','','2012-02-21 20:32:07','2012-02-22 03:32:07','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9707,1,'2012-02-21 20:37:01','2012-02-22 03:37:01','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWoohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when Anne Boleyn stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision','','','2012-02-21 20:37:01','2012-02-22 03:37:01','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(9708,1,'2012-02-21 20:37:05','2012-02-22 03:37:05','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWoohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when Anne Boleyn stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-2','','','2012-02-21 20:37:05','2012-02-22 03:37:05','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(9709,1,'2012-02-21 20:37:05','2012-02-22 03:37:05','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWoohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when Anne Boleyn stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-3','','','2012-02-21 20:37:05','2012-02-22 03:37:05','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(9710,1,'2012-02-21 20:37:33','2012-02-22 03:37:33','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWoohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when Anne Boleyn stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-4','','','2012-02-21 20:37:33','2012-02-22 03:37:33','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(9711,1,'2012-02-21 20:39:38','2012-02-22 03:39:38','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when Anne Boleyn stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-5','','','2012-02-21 20:39:38','2012-02-22 03:39:38','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(9715,1,'2012-02-21 20:42:35','2012-02-22 03:42:35','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-9','','','2012-02-21 20:42:35','2012-02-22 03:42:35','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(9712,1,'2012-02-21 20:40:22','2012-02-22 03:40:22','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when Anne Boleyn stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-6','','','2012-02-21 20:40:22','2012-02-22 03:40:22','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(9713,1,'2012-02-21 20:40:22','2012-02-22 03:40:22','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when Anne Boleyn stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-7','','','2012-02-21 20:40:22','2012-02-22 03:40:22','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(9714,1,'2012-02-21 20:40:31','2012-02-22 03:40:31','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when Anne Boleyn stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-8','','','2012-02-21 20:40:31','2012-02-22 03:40:31','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(9716,1,'2012-02-21 20:42:40','2012-02-22 03:42:40','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-10','','','2012-02-21 20:42:40','2012-02-22 03:42:40','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(9717,1,'2012-02-21 20:42:40','2012-02-22 03:42:40','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-11','','','2012-02-21 20:42:40','2012-02-22 03:42:40','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(9718,1,'2012-02-21 20:44:10','2012-02-22 03:44:10','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-12','','','2012-02-21 20:44:10','2012-02-22 03:44:10','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(9719,1,'2012-02-21 20:44:10','2012-02-22 03:44:10','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-13','','','2012-02-21 20:44:10','2012-02-22 03:44:10','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(9720,1,'2012-02-21 20:44:23','2012-02-22 03:44:23','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-14','','','2012-02-21 20:44:23','2012-02-22 03:44:23','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(9721,1,'2012-02-21 20:44:23','2012-02-22 03:44:23','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-15','','','2012-02-21 20:44:23','2012-02-22 03:44:23','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(9722,1,'2012-02-21 20:44:50','2012-02-22 03:44:50','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-16','','','2012-02-21 20:44:50','2012-02-22 03:44:50','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(9723,1,'2012-02-21 20:44:50','2012-02-22 03:44:50','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-17','','','2012-02-21 20:44:50','2012-02-22 03:44:50','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(9724,1,'2012-02-21 20:45:04','2012-02-22 03:45:04','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-18','','','2012-02-21 20:45:04','2012-02-22 03:45:04','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(9725,1,'2012-02-21 20:45:04','2012-02-22 03:45:04','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawfulqueen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawfulqueen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-19','','','2012-02-21 20:45:04','2012-02-22 03:45:04','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(9726,1,'2012-02-21 20:45:29','2012-02-22 03:45:29','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawfulqueen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawfulqueen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-20','','','2012-02-21 20:45:29','2012-02-22 03:45:29','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(9727,1,'2012-02-21 20:45:29','2012-02-22 03:45:29','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Mardi Gras, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-21','','','2012-02-21 20:45:29','2012-02-22 03:45:29','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(9728,1,'2012-02-21 20:49:42','2012-02-22 03:49:42','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-22','','','2012-02-21 20:49:42','2012-02-22 03:49:42','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(9729,1,'2012-02-21 20:49:42','2012-02-22 03:49:42','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden in each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-23','','','2012-02-21 20:49:42','2012-02-22 03:49:42','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(9730,1,'2012-02-21 20:50:52','2012-02-22 03:50:52','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-24','','','2012-02-21 20:50:52','2012-02-22 03:50:52','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(9731,1,'2012-02-21 20:50:52','2012-02-22 03:50:52','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Oopsie!  \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-25','','','2012-02-21 20:50:52','2012-02-22 03:50:52','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(9732,1,'2012-02-21 20:53:14','2012-02-22 03:53:14','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-26','','','2012-02-21 20:53:14','2012-02-22 03:53:14','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(9733,1,'2012-02-21 20:53:14','2012-02-22 03:53:14','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-27','','','2012-02-21 20:53:14','2012-02-22 03:53:14','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(9734,1,'2012-02-21 20:53:23','2012-02-22 03:53:23','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-28','','','2012-02-21 20:53:23','2012-02-22 03:53:23','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(9735,1,'2012-02-21 20:53:23','2012-02-22 03:53:23','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-29','','','2012-02-21 20:53:23','2012-02-22 03:53:23','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(9736,1,'2012-02-21 20:54:58','2012-02-22 03:54:58','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-30','','','2012-02-21 20:54:58','2012-02-22 03:54:58','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(9737,1,'2012-02-21 20:54:58','2012-02-22 03:54:58','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside of the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-31','','','2012-02-21 20:54:58','2012-02-22 03:54:58','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(9738,1,'2012-02-21 20:57:32','2012-02-22 03:57:32','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-32','','','2012-02-21 20:57:32','2012-02-22 03:57:32','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(9739,1,'2012-02-21 21:03:55','2012-02-22 04:03:55','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDid anyone else feast on King\'s Cake yesterday?  Did you find the baby?  Did you think you were blessed with good luck or a Royal title, only to find out that you were roped into feeding your loyal sub','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-autosave','','','2012-02-21 21:03:55','2012-02-22 04:03:55','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(9740,1,'2012-02-21 20:57:32','2012-02-22 03:57:32','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-33','','','2012-02-21 20:57:32','2012-02-22 03:57:32','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(9741,1,'2012-02-21 21:00:28','2012-02-22 04:00:28','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid anyone else feast on King\'s Cake yesterday?  Did anyone get roped into supplying the next King\'s Cake?','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-34','','','2012-02-21 21:00:28','2012-02-22 04:00:28','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(9742,1,'2012-02-21 21:00:28','2012-02-22 04:00:28','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid anyone else feast on King\'s Cake yesterday?  Did anyone get roped into supplying the next King\'s Cake?','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-35','','','2012-02-21 21:00:28','2012-02-22 04:00:28','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(9743,1,'2012-02-21 21:04:03','2012-02-22 04:04:03','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid anyone else feast on King\'s Cake yesterday?  Did you find the baby?  Did you think you were blessed with good luck or a Royal title, only to find out that you were roped into feeding your loyal subjects?','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-36','','','2012-02-21 21:04:03','2012-02-22 04:04:03','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(9842,1,'2012-03-02 01:11:23','2012-03-02 08:11:23','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-701/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9843\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9843\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180047-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever felt called to visit a place?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am one of those cockeyed optimist/dreamer types who always sees the best in people.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors crack, I momentarily lose a little faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a recent heartache, a friend mentioned the Franciscan Renewal Center in passing.  What better place to restore my dwindled faith than the <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Franciscan Renewal Center</a>!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was compelled to look the center up on their website and was immediately drawn to <strong><a href=\"http://www.thecasa.org/about/our-labyrinth\" target=\"_blank\">The Labyrinth</a></strong>.  Here is a glimpse of what I found at the site:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Sit and rest at one of the benches for a while. Take off your shoes if weather permits. Walking barefoot on sacred ground is a rewarding experience. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention as you walk. Get centered.\"</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  This is exactly what I was seeking.  I needed grounding.  I needed centering.  I needed mending.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat Saturday I drove to the aptly named Paradise Valley, Arizona to visit the Franciscan Renewal Center\'s Labyrinth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI sat on a bench and collected my thoughts.  I set an intention.  I took off my shoes and walked in silent mindfulness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left renewed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/03/02/playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth/olympus-digital-camera-702/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9861\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9861\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2180051-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever entered a Labyrinth?  If you feel open to it, please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #8:  Walking the Labyrinth','','publish','open','open','','playdate-8-walking-the-labyrinth','','','2012-03-01 20:25:13','2012-03-02 03:25:13','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=9842',0,'post','',4),(9745,1,'2012-02-21 21:04:03','2012-02-22 04:04:03','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid anyone else feast on King\'s Cake yesterday?  Did you find the baby?  Did you think you were blessed with good luck or a Royal title, only to find out that you were roped into feeding your loyal subjects?','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-37','','','2012-02-21 21:04:03','2012-02-22 04:04:03','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(9746,1,'2012-02-21 21:54:46','2012-02-22 04:54:46','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid anyone else feast on King\'s Cake yesterday?  Did you find the baby?  Did you think you were blessed with good luck or a Royal title, only to find out that you were roped into feeding your loyal subjects?','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-38','','','2012-02-21 21:54:46','2012-02-22 04:54:46','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(9747,1,'2012-02-21 21:54:46','2012-02-22 04:54:46','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did this mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid anyone else feast on King\'s Cake yesterday?  Did you find the baby?  Did you think you were blessed with good luck or a Royal title, only to find out that you were roped into feeding your loyal subjects?','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-39','','','2012-02-21 21:54:46','2012-02-22 04:54:46','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(9748,1,'2012-02-21 21:58:31','2012-02-22 04:58:31','[caption id=\"attachment_9705\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I found the baby! (Kind of.)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00012-20120221-1248-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9705\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9705 \" title=\"IMG00012-20120221-1248\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00012-20120221-12481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the President of Noble Publishing Superpower surprised us with not one, not two, but THREE King\'s Cakes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWasn\'t that awfully sweet of him?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThree King\'s Cakes meant there were three babies to be found!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are completely baffled at this moment, you can learn all you\'ll ever need to know about Mardi Gras, King\'s Cakes, and baby hunts <a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you who don\'t want to go <strong><a href=\"http://www.mardigrasday.com/history.php\" target=\"_blank\">there</a></strong>, here\'s the scoop:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople in New Orleans are always looking for an excuse to party.  Starting 12 nights after Christmas (\"Twelfth Night\"), New Orleans peeps get looped on cocktails and overindulge in sugary cake until a date late in February (Mardis Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday).  Hidden inside each King\'s Cake is a wee plastic babe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I had never eaten a King\'s Cake, nor had I ever embarked on a hunt for babies, so I was pretty psyched.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I entered the kitchen, I heard Little Michelle (the other Michelle who is littler than me) SCREECHING,  \"I FOUND THE BABY!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEveryone gasped excitedly and immediately congratulated her.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe then asked her what the heck \"finding the baby\" means.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle shrugged and answered, \"I don\'t know for sure.  I think it means good luck.  I could use some good luck right now.  I FOUND THE BABY!!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I thought that I could use some good luck as well.  I dove into that King\'s Cake faster than you can say, \"Happy Mardi Gras, Suckers!\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there he was.  A tiny plastic baby unearthed and just resting on the table.  I didn\'t even have to unhygienically pick apart the cake!  I grabbed that baby, raised him high above my head and shouted, \"I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!  I FOUND THE BABY, TOO!!!!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, I realize that some might consider this cheating, but cheating is such a harsh word.  Finding a baby is finding a baby.  I like to think outside the box.  (Or outside the cake in this instance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friends immediately humored me because after the events of the past couple weeks, they only want good luck for me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe scurried off to our cubes to await our impending sugar crashes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle, still unsure of the exact meaning of the baby find, Googled away.  Nothing about good luck, but \"Sometimes, discovering the baby signifies that you are Queen of the Mardi Gras Party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Woohooooo!!!!  I was QUEEN, too!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut wait a minute.  Did my outside the cake strategy mean I was an illegitimate Queen?  Kind of like when <a href=\"http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/2338/anne-boleyn-and-catherine-of-aragon-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Anne Boleyn</strong> </a>stole the crown right off of poor Catherine of Aragon\'s head?!?!  That wouldn\'t be cool.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Michelle continued reading her Google FAQs.  \"Most often, whoever locates the baby must supply the King\'s Cake at the next party.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReally????  That\'s no fun.  To heck with that!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBesides . . . . Unlike Anne Boleyn, I have a conscience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Long Live the Queen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9706\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Rightful Queen\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/unlawful-queen-of-the-party/img00014-20120221-1300/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9706\" title=\"IMG00014-20120221-1300\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG00014-20120221-1300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid anyone else feast on King\'s Cake yesterday?  Did you find the baby?  Did you think you were blessed with good luck or a Royal title, only to find out that you were roped into feeding your loyal subjects?','Unlawful Queen of the Party','','inherit','open','open','','9703-revision-40','','','2012-02-21 21:58:31','2012-02-22 04:58:31','',9703,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/9703-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(9751,1,'2012-02-22 19:13:50','2012-02-23 02:13:50','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision','','','2012-02-22 19:13:50','2012-02-23 02:13:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(9752,1,'2012-02-22 19:17:50','2012-02-23 02:17:50','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may recall my inglorious recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-2','','','2012-02-22 19:17:50','2012-02-23 02:17:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(9753,1,'2012-02-22 19:37:50','2012-02-23 02:37:50','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like in San Diego but without the ocean.','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-3','','','2012-02-22 19:37:50','2012-02-23 02:37:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(9754,1,'2012-02-22 19:41:50','2012-02-23 02:41:50','[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to b','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-4','','','2012-02-22 19:41:50','2012-02-23 02:41:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(9755,1,'2012-02-22 19:45:50','2012-02-23 02:45:50','[caption id=\"attachment_9750\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Me and Sarah. We&#39;re alike in so many ways. Exception: Helmet Safety. (Look closely at the bikes.)\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9750\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2120012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may recall my recent history with bicycling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your memory is as poor as mine, or if you are new to this blog, you can read all about it at <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 356:  My Very First Concussion.  Italian Style.  </a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI did <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/16/day-358-picked-myself-up-dusted-myself-off-and-rode-all-over-again/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pick myself up, dust myself off, and ride all over again</strong> </a>after the accident.  Once.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShortly after I returned a friend who is practically a semi-professional cyclist -- we\'re talking spin instructor in her off time and road biking COMPETITIONS -- was nipped by a car while cycling, knocked unconscious, and taken to the trauma center where she underwent numerous surgeries.  BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER HELMET, she is still with us.  And because of her spunky spirit, she has miraculously recovered like a champ.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCall me crazy, but I\'ve had no desire to get back on a bike.  My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.  Which means that I am firmly planted on the ground with my own two feet.  And since I don\'t hike during rattlesnake season, there is no threat of DEATH while I\'m working out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy dear friend and September 15 Birthday Twin, Sarah, now lives in a neighborhood where people ride their charming, colorful bikes (many equipped with baskets and bells) to cafes, farmers markets, and other leisurely weekend places of interest.  Kind of like what those lucky bastards in San Diego do, but Sarah\'s hood doesn\'t have an ocean.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSarah\'s been itching for a bike riding playdate in this stunning weather we\'ve been having.  She invited me to bike down to a French bistro on a Sunday morning.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDeep breaths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose to feel the fear and do it anyway.  After all, I had just come from this . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/03/photo-du-jour-im-in-italia-not-siberia/p1010175/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9437\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9437\" title=\"P1010175\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P1010175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n. . . . and now I had the opportunity to soak in this\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #7:  Bicycling to the Bistro ','','inherit','open','open','','9749-revision-5','','','2012-02-22 19:45:50','2012-02-23 02:45:50','',9749,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/22/9749-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0);
