(247,1,'2010-09-11 13:49:22','2010-09-11 20:49:22','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.  \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a>  If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat... </h2>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-51','','','2010-09-11 13:49:22','2010-09-11 20:49:22','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-51/',0,'revision','',0),(244,1,'2010-09-11 13:24:17','2010-09-11 20:24:17','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.  \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a>  If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat... </h2>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-49','','','2010-09-11 13:24:17','2010-09-11 20:24:17','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-49/',0,'revision','',0),(245,1,'2010-09-11 13:25:53','2010-09-11 20:25:53','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a>  a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a>  1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong>  </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.  \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.) \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a>  If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h3> </h3>\r\n<h2> Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>.  </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong>  This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products. </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat... </h2>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-50','','','2010-09-11 13:25:53','2010-09-11 20:25:53','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-50/',0,'revision','',0),(246,1,'2010-09-11 13:23:26','2010-09-11 20:23:26','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk and Other Stories</span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-8','','','2010-09-11 13:23:26','2010-09-11 20:23:26','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(248,1,'2010-09-11 15:20:59','2010-09-11 22:20:59','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h2>Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">?</p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-52','','','2010-09-11 15:20:59','2010-09-11 22:20:59','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-52/',0,'revision','',0),(249,1,'2010-09-11 15:38:13','2010-09-11 22:38:13','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h2>Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">?</p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-53','','','2010-09-11 15:38:13','2010-09-11 22:38:13','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-53/',0,'revision','',0),(250,1,'2010-09-11 15:38:38','2010-09-11 22:38:38','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2>Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">♥  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\nguitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-54','','','2010-09-11 15:38:38','2010-09-11 22:38:38','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-54/',0,'revision','',0),(254,1,'2010-09-11 15:53:57','2010-09-11 22:53:57','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2>Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>♥  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</li>\r\n	<li>**  I lived in a haunted house in New York.</li>\r\n	<li>**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</li>\r\n	<li>**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</li>\r\n	<li>**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</li>\r\n	<li>**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</li>\r\n	<li>**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</li>\r\n	<li>**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</li>\r\n	<li>**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</li>\r\n	<li>**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</li>\r\n	<li>**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</li>\r\n	<li>**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</li>\r\n	<li>** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>guitar...</li>\r\n	<li>singing...</li>\r\n	<li>dogs...</li>\r\n	<li>the arts...</li>\r\n	<li>yoga...</li>\r\n	<li>writing...</li>\r\n	<li>friends &amp; fam...</li>\r\n	<li>education...</li>\r\n	<li>fitness...</li>\r\n	<li>the ocean...</li>\r\n	<li>sunny skies...</li>\r\n	<li>good food...</li>\r\n	<li>lifelong learning...</li>\r\n	<li>espresso...</li>\r\n	<li>mountain views...</li>\r\n	<li>hope</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-56','','','2010-09-11 15:53:57','2010-09-11 22:53:57','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-56/',0,'revision','',0),(255,1,'2010-09-11 15:54:03','2010-09-11 22:54:03','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to   \r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.   \r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day   \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>   \r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)   \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!   \r\n<h2>Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">♥  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope  \r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-57','','','2010-09-11 15:54:03','2010-09-11 22:54:03','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-57/',0,'revision','',0),(251,1,'2010-09-11 14:58:33','2010-09-11 21:58:33','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                         -- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scintillates my soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to move across across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely lose my sanity!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I declared that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassing first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\">www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</a>.  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-9','','','2010-09-11 14:58:33','2010-09-11 21:58:33','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(252,1,'2010-09-11 15:48:42','2010-09-11 22:48:42','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                         -- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scintillates my soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to move across across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely lose my sanity!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I declared that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassing first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\">www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</a>.  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when, after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been there, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at the same old, same old altitude.  </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-10','','','2010-09-11 15:48:42','2010-09-11 22:48:42','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(253,1,'2010-09-11 15:40:21','2010-09-11 22:40:21','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2>Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">♥  I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I lived in a haunted house in New York.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>guitar...</li>\r\n	<li>singing...</li>\r\n	<li>dogs...</li>\r\n	<li>the arts...</li>\r\n	<li>yoga...</li>\r\n	<li>writing...</li>\r\n	<li>friends &amp; fam...</li>\r\n	<li>education...</li>\r\n	<li>fitness...</li>\r\n	<li>the ocean...</li>\r\n	<li>sunny skies...</li>\r\n	<li>good food...</li>\r\n	<li>lifelong learning...</li>\r\n	<li>espresso...</li>\r\n	<li>mountain views...</li>\r\n	<li>hope</li>\r\n</ul>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-55','','','2010-09-11 15:40:21','2010-09-11 22:40:21','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-55/',0,'revision','',0),(266,1,'2010-09-11 16:21:14','2010-09-11 23:21:14','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-66','','','2010-09-11 16:21:14','2010-09-11 23:21:14','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-66/',0,'revision','',0),(264,1,'2010-09-11 16:13:20','2010-09-11 23:13:20','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                         -- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scintillates my soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to move across across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely lose my sanity!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I declared that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassing first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\">www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</a>.  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when, after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been there, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-12','','','2010-09-11 16:13:20','2010-09-11 23:13:20','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(257,1,'2010-09-11 15:58:40','2010-09-11 22:58:40','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day   </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>   Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)   \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!   \r\n<h2>Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope  </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-59','','','2010-09-11 15:58:40','2010-09-11 22:58:40','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-59/',0,'revision','',0),(256,1,'2010-09-11 15:58:12','2010-09-11 22:58:12','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day   </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>   Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)   \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!   \r\n<h2>Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope  </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-58','','','2010-09-11 15:58:12','2010-09-11 22:58:12','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-58/',0,'revision','',0),(265,1,'2010-09-11 16:17:49','2010-09-11 23:17:49','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day   </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)   \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!   \r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"clear:left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div> ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div> I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope  </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-65','','','2010-09-11 16:17:49','2010-09-11 23:17:49','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-65/',0,'revision','',0),(259,1,'2010-09-11 15:59:48','2010-09-11 22:59:48','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day   </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>   Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)   \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!   \r\n<h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nQuirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope  </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-61','','','2010-09-11 15:59:48','2010-09-11 22:59:48','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-61/',0,'revision','',0),(258,1,'2010-09-11 15:58:56','2010-09-11 22:58:56','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day   </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>   Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)   \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!   \r\n<h2>Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope  </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-60','','','2010-09-11 15:58:56','2010-09-11 22:58:56','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-60/',0,'revision','',0),(260,1,'2010-09-11 16:09:04','2010-09-11 23:09:04','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day   </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>   Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)   \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!   \r\n<h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nQuirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope  </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-62','','','2010-09-11 16:09:04','2010-09-11 23:09:04','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-62/',0,'revision','',0),(263,1,'2010-09-11 16:11:08','2010-09-11 23:11:08','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day   </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 30px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)   \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!   \r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"clear:left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope  </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-64','','','2010-09-11 16:11:08','2010-09-11 23:11:08','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-64/',0,'revision','',0),(261,1,'2010-09-11 16:10:27','2010-09-11 23:10:27','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.   </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day   </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.   \r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)   \r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!   \r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"clear:both;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  ...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">**  Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">** My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope  </p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-63','','','2010-09-11 16:10:27','2010-09-11 23:10:27','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-63/',0,'revision','',0),(262,1,'2010-09-11 15:49:44','2010-09-11 22:49:44','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                         -- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scintillates my soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to move across across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely lose my sanity!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I declared that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassing first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\">www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</a>.  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when, after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been there, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at the same old, same old altitude.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-11','','','2010-09-11 15:49:44','2010-09-11 22:49:44','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(267,1,'2010-09-11 16:21:55','2010-09-11 23:21:55','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul style=\"margin-left:50px;\">\r\n<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-67','','','2010-09-11 16:21:55','2010-09-11 23:21:55','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-67/',0,'revision','',0),(268,1,'2010-09-11 16:22:21','2010-09-11 23:22:21','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<ul style=\"padding-left:50px;\">\r\n<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-68','','','2010-09-11 16:22:21','2010-09-11 23:22:21','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-68/',0,'revision','',0),(269,1,'2010-09-11 16:23:18','2010-09-11 23:23:18','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin-left:50px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-69','','','2010-09-11 16:23:18','2010-09-11 23:23:18','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-69/',0,'revision','',0),(270,1,'2010-09-11 16:17:59','2010-09-11 23:17:59','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scintillates my soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to move across across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely lose my sanity!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I declared that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassing first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when, after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been there, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-13','','','2010-09-11 16:17:59','2010-09-11 23:17:59','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(271,1,'2010-09-11 16:24:31','2010-09-11 23:24:31','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-70','','','2010-09-11 16:24:31','2010-09-11 23:24:31','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-70/',0,'revision','',0),(272,1,'2010-09-11 16:30:51','2010-09-11 23:30:51','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-71','','','2010-09-11 16:30:51','2010-09-11 23:30:51','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-71/',0,'revision','',0),(273,1,'2010-09-11 16:31:43','2010-09-11 23:31:43','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day.</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-72','','','2010-09-11 16:31:43','2010-09-11 23:31:43','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-72/',0,'revision','',0),(274,1,'2010-09-11 16:32:04','2010-09-11 23:32:04','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day.</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-73','','','2010-09-11 16:32:04','2010-09-11 23:32:04','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-73/',0,'revision','',0),(275,1,'2010-09-11 16:32:27','2010-09-11 23:32:27','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day.</p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-74','','','2010-09-11 16:32:27','2010-09-11 23:32:27','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-74/',0,'revision','',0),(276,1,'2010-09-11 16:33:08','2010-09-11 23:33:08','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-75','','','2010-09-11 16:33:08','2010-09-11 23:33:08','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-75/',0,'revision','',0),(277,1,'2010-09-11 16:30:05','2010-09-11 23:30:05','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scintillates my soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to move across across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely lose my sanity!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I declared that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassing first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when, after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been there, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-14','','','2010-09-11 16:30:05','2010-09-11 23:30:05','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(278,1,'2010-09-11 16:50:23','2010-09-11 23:50:23','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing each day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to move across across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely lose my sanity!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I declared that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassing first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when, after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been there, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-15','','','2010-09-11 16:50:23','2010-09-11 23:50:23','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(280,1,'2010-09-11 16:51:30','2010-09-11 23:51:30','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n\r\n<!--- DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px;\" />\r\n<!------------------------>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-77','','','2010-09-11 16:51:30','2010-09-11 23:51:30','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-77/',0,'revision','',0),(279,1,'2010-09-11 16:34:51','2010-09-11 23:34:51','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-76','','','2010-09-11 16:34:51','2010-09-11 23:34:51','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-76/',0,'revision','',0),(283,1,'2010-09-11 17:02:08','2010-09-12 00:02:08','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-80','','','2010-09-11 17:02:08','2010-09-12 00:02:08','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-80/',0,'revision','',0),(281,1,'2010-09-11 16:54:58','2010-09-11 23:54:58','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<!--- DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\"></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"></p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-78','','','2010-09-11 16:54:58','2010-09-11 23:54:58','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-78/',0,'revision','',0),(282,1,'2010-09-11 17:00:51','2010-09-12 00:00:51','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-79','','','2010-09-11 17:00:51','2010-09-12 00:00:51','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-79/',0,'revision','',0),(284,1,'2010-09-11 18:45:09','2010-09-12 01:45:09','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-81','','','2010-09-11 18:45:09','2010-09-12 01:45:09','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-81/',0,'revision','',0),(285,1,'2010-09-11 18:45:44','2010-09-12 01:45:44','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-82','','','2010-09-11 18:45:44','2010-09-12 01:45:44','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-82/',0,'revision','',0),(286,1,'2010-09-11 18:46:02','2010-09-12 01:46:02','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-83','','','2010-09-11 18:46:02','2010-09-12 01:46:02','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-83/',0,'revision','',0),(287,1,'2010-09-11 16:50:47','2010-09-11 23:50:47','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to move across across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely lose my sanity!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I declared that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassing first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when, after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been there, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-16','','','2010-09-11 16:50:47','2010-09-11 23:50:47','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/103-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(288,1,'2010-09-12 08:03:36','2010-09-12 15:03:36','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to move across across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely lose my sanity!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I declared that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassing first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when, after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been there, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I also started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media, Hollywood, and I am lucky enough to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-17','','','2010-09-12 08:03:36','2010-09-12 15:03:36','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(289,1,'2010-09-12 09:32:45','2010-09-12 16:32:45','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I also started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media, Hollywood, and I happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you\'re tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new different new.\"  -- Late Bloomer</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-18','','','2010-09-12 09:32:45','2010-09-12 16:32:45','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(290,1,'2010-09-12 09:47:39','2010-09-12 16:47:39','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>  \r\n\r\nAnd then...  \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I also started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media, Hollywood, and I happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m only about 40 years-old.  I still have manybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.   \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously begna jotting notes on a new blog project.   \r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I have certainly entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-19','','','2010-09-12 09:47:39','2010-09-12 16:47:39','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(291,1,'2010-09-11 18:46:11','2010-09-12 01:46:11','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you\'re feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-84','','','2010-09-11 18:46:11','2010-09-12 01:46:11','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/11/2-revision-84/',0,'revision','',0),(292,1,'2010-09-12 09:54:04','2010-09-12 16:54:04','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>  \r\n\r\nAnd then...  \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I also started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media, Hollywood, and I happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>  \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m only about 40 years-old.  I still have manybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.   \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.   \r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone!  </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I have certainly entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-20','','','2010-09-12 09:54:04','2010-09-12 16:54:04','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(293,1,'2010-09-12 11:29:15','2010-09-12 18:29:15','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to conquer this mother by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>  \r\n\r\nAnd then...  \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everythng in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I also started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media, Hollywood, and I happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>  \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m only about 40 years-old.  I still have manybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.   \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I have certainly entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>  \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-21','','','2010-09-12 11:29:15','2010-09-12 18:29:15','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(294,1,'2010-09-12 11:50:11','2010-09-12 18:50:11','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsessions with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></h4>\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I listened to <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a><strong> </strong>over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m only about 40 years-old.  I still have manybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I have certainly entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-22','','','2010-09-12 11:50:11','2010-09-12 18:50:11','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(295,1,'2010-09-12 12:02:41','2010-09-12 19:02:41','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsessions with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m only about 40 years-old.  I still have manybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I have certainly entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-23','','','2010-09-12 12:02:41','2010-09-12 19:02:41','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(296,1,'2010-09-12 12:02:56','2010-09-12 19:02:56','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsessions with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m only about 40 years-old.  I still have manybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I have certainly entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-24','','','2010-09-12 12:02:56','2010-09-12 19:02:56','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(297,1,'2010-09-12 12:05:22','2010-09-12 19:05:22','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsessions with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m only about 40 years-old.  I still have manybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I have certainly entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.  I can\'t do this by myself.  Late Bloomer needs more than a few good women to join my </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-25','','','2010-09-12 12:05:22','2010-09-12 19:05:22','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(298,1,'2010-09-12 11:27:20','2010-09-12 18:27:20','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a> 1: an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day  2: replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis </p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholic friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you are feeling super fiesty and creative, then <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  A few years ago, I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-85','','','2010-09-12 11:27:20','2010-09-12 18:27:20','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/2-revision-85/',0,'revision','',0),(299,1,'2010-09-12 17:55:19','2010-09-13 00:55:19','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:  a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and hopefully inspiring others along the way.  2:  She is no longer waiting around for Happily Ever After to show up.  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  3:  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a> 1: an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day  2: replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis </p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholic friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you are feeling super fiesty and creative, then <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  A few years ago, I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-86','','','2010-09-12 17:55:19','2010-09-13 00:55:19','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/2-revision-86/',0,'revision','',0),(300,1,'2010-09-12 17:08:16','2010-09-13 00:08:16','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This would be the focus of my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I fell into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsessions with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  As I became engrossed in the article, I felt as though a little ray of sunshine pierced through the thundercloud.  </span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m only about 40 years-old.  I still have manybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I have certainly entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.  I can\'t do this by myself.  Late Bloomer needs more than a few good women to join my mission</span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-26','','','2010-09-12 17:08:16','2010-09-13 00:08:16','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(301,1,'2010-09-12 18:36:52','2010-09-13 01:36:52','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"Carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\">INFJ</a>, so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\' s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.   It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  That would be uber-cool if decided to go for it, wouldn\'t it?  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be hot!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                          -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-27','','','2010-09-12 18:36:52','2010-09-13 01:36:52','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(302,1,'2010-09-12 18:39:42','2010-09-13 01:39:42','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"Carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\">INFJ</a>, so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\' s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.   It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  That would be uber-cool if decided to go for it, wouldn\'t it?  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be hot!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                          -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-28','','','2010-09-12 18:39:42','2010-09-13 01:39:42','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(303,1,'2010-09-12 18:40:56','2010-09-13 01:40:56','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author and fellow Late Bloomer</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"Carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\">INFJ</a>, so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\' s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.   It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  That would be uber-cool if decided to go for it, wouldn\'t it?  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be hot!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                          -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-29','','','2010-09-12 18:40:56','2010-09-13 01:40:56','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(305,1,'2010-09-12 18:42:23','2010-09-13 01:42:23','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"Carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\">INFJ</a>, so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\' s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.   It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  That would be uber-cool if decided to go for it, wouldn\'t it?  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be hot!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                          -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-31','','','2010-09-12 18:42:23','2010-09-13 01:42:23','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(304,1,'2010-09-12 18:41:09','2010-09-13 01:41:09','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or creativity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to freak out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with a \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left  in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author and fellow Late Bloomer</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"Carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\">INFJ</a>, so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\' s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.   It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  That would be uber-cool if decided to go for it, wouldn\'t it?  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be hot!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                          -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-30','','','2010-09-12 18:41:09','2010-09-13 01:41:09','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(306,1,'2010-09-12 20:16:11','2010-09-13 03:16:11','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words,</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\' s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.   It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be hot!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                          -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-32','','','2010-09-12 20:16:11','2010-09-13 03:16:11','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(307,1,'2010-09-12 20:42:48','2010-09-13 03:42:48','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    </p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always felt that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words: </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\' s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.   It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be <a href=\"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_muy_caliente_mean\" target=\"_blank\">muy caliente</a>!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                                                        -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-33','','','2010-09-12 20:42:48','2010-09-13 03:42:48','',103,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(308,1,'2010-09-12 17:58:23','2010-09-13 00:58:23','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:  a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and hopefully inspiring others along the way.  2:  She is no longer waiting around for Happily Ever After to show up.  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  3:  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a> 1: an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day  2: replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis </p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholic friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a> If you are feeling super feisty and creative, then <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  A few years ago, I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-87','','','2010-09-12 17:58:23','2010-09-13 00:58:23','',2,'http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/2-revision-87/',0,'revision','',0),(313,1,'2010-09-17 22:57:52','2010-09-18 05:57:52','<p>Welcome to my new digs.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My brand new concept launches this Wednesday.  To find out more about the project, take a look at <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"365 or Bust\".</strong></a> To learn more about me, check out <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"What Makes Me Tick\".</strong></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>See you soon!</p>','Coming Soon to a Blogosphere Near You.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-autosave','','','2010-09-17 22:57:52','2010-09-18 05:57:52','',186,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/13/186-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(314,1,'2010-09-09 21:15:52','2010-09-10 04:15:52','See you next week!','O.k. O.k.  It\'s really coming soon this time.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-revision-5','','','2010-09-09 21:15:52','2010-09-10 04:15:52','',186,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/09/186-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(315,1,'2010-09-13 19:46:29','2010-09-14 02:46:29','2 days and counting...','Coming Soon to a Blogosphere Near You.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-revision-6','','','2010-09-13 19:46:29','2010-09-14 02:46:29','',186,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/13/186-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(316,1,'2010-09-13 19:49:27','2010-09-14 02:49:27','If you absolutely positively can\'t wait another two days, then take a look at \"What Makes Me Tick\" and \"365 or Bust\". \r\n\r\nSee you on the 15th!','Coming Soon to a Blogosphere Near You.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-revision-7','','','2010-09-13 19:49:27','2010-09-14 02:49:27','',186,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/13/186-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(324,1,'2010-09-12 20:56:54','2010-09-13 03:56:54','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    </p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always sensed that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words: </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\'s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.  It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Better still -- maybe we could try these ideas together and create an entire tribe that exudes Late Bloomer Mojo.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be <a href=\"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_muy_caliente_mean\" target=\"_blank\">muy caliente</a>!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                                                        -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-34','','','2010-09-12 20:56:54','2010-09-13 03:56:54','',103,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/12/103-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(317,1,'2010-09-13 20:00:43','2010-09-14 03:00:43','Welcome to my new digs. \r\n\r\nMy brand new concept launches this Wednesday.  To find out more about the project, take a look at <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"365 or Bust\".</strong></a>  To learn more about me, check out <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"What Makes Me Tick\".</strong></a> \r\n\r\nSee you soon!','Coming Soon to a Blogosphere Near You.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-revision-8','','','2010-09-13 20:00:43','2010-09-14 03:00:43','',186,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/13/186-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(318,1,'2010-09-13 20:02:47','2010-09-14 03:02:47','Welcome to my new digs. \r\n\r\nMy brand new concept launches this Wednesday.  To find out more about the project, take a look at <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"365 or Bust\".</strong></a>  To learn more about me, check out <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"What Makes Me Tick\".</strong></a> \r\n\r\nSee you soon!','Coming Soon to a Blogosphere Near You.  9/15/2010.  ','','inherit','open','open','','186-revision-9','','','2010-09-13 20:02:47','2010-09-14 03:02:47','',186,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/13/186-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(781,1,'2010-09-30 01:11:29','2010-09-30 08:11:29','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/louisa_catlover/2803180314/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-834\" title=\"mexmocha\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/mexmocha-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>My only addiction in life is espresso.  Illy espresso, to be exact.  For those of you of who have no idea of what I speak, Illy is an Italian espresso which is heaven in a mug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEach morning, I freshly grind my Illy espresso beans and create my own double shot Almond Milk Latte with a hint of agave syrup.  Think health nut\'s version of Starbucks.  I have won over a few fans, including Christy Jo and Cooleenie, whom you have kinda sorta met through this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of days ago, I ran out of my Illy beans.  Horrors!  This isn\'t usually a problem, because I am a Virgo, and true to my sign, when I run low on something, I replace it before I run out.  My pantry is always stocked with at least one, most often two cans of Illy.  This time, no backups in the pantry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUh-oh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnother detail of this neurosis/addiction is that I drive to Seattle Espresso to buy my Illy beans because they are $4 cheaper than Whole Paycheck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut...I didn\'t have time to drive out of my way to Seattle Espresso, and since I was already at Whole Paycheck, I thought I would eat the $4 this one time and call it a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I discovered that Whole Paycheck was no longer carrying my particular beans.  Horrors x 2!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI told myself that this whole attachment to Illy was probably part of my recent \"rut\".  I needed to break out!  Try something new!  Shake up my morning routine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I scooped some free trade, organic espresso beans into a bag and went on my merry way.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next morning, I opened the bag of new beans and took a whiff.  A fresh can of Illy smells divine, but these beans...not so much.  Omen #1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon grinding the beans, I noticed that the grounds were really, really dark.  Omen #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI kept an open mind.  The Whole Paycheck sign at the espresso bin promised me hints of chocolate and cardamom.  Who wouldn\'t like that??  This espresso was the fine wine of espressos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI brewed the espresso and mixed my famous Almond Milk Latte.  The anticipation was killing me.  I took my first sip and...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps not the fine wine of espressos.  I would say more like wine in a box.  And I\'m being kind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI noted the time.  I wouldn\'t be able to run into a coffeehouse on the way to work.  I put on my culinary thinking cap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCooleenie and I loooovvve a sprinkling of cinnamon on top our lattes.  I dumped in about a teaspoon and stirred well.  It sort of worked.  Kind of like dousing yourself in perfume when you have B.O.  The cinnamon masked the disgustingness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at work, I had another ingenious idea.  I snagged one of the freebie hot chocolate packets in our kitchen and added about half to the latte.  Voila!  A Mexican Mocha!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAgain, the hot cocoa sort of worked.  Kind of like washing your armpits with a wet washcloth when you have B.O.  It\'s always better to take a shower, but if you only have five minutes, what are you supposed to do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the moral of this story, girls and 3 boys who read this blog, is when life throws you a rotten bean, whip up a Mexican Mocha.  You can never go wrong by adding a sprinkling of spice and chocolate to your life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor your culinary pleasure, <a href=\"http://www.cooking.com/recipes-and-more/recipes/Mexican-Mocha-Coffee-recipe-5518.aspx#axzz2N9zOwxNj\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>click here for a REAL Mexican Mocha recipe</strong></a><strong>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd if you want to get super toasty while savoring your Mexican Mocha, <strong><a href=\"http://www.drinksmixer.com/drinkrq14461.html\" target=\"_blank\">check out this recipe</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 14:  When Life Throws You a Bad Bean...','','publish','open','open','','day-14-when-life-throws-you-a-bad-bean','','','2013-03-10 10:46:49','2013-03-10 17:46:49','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=781',0,'post','',7),(323,1,'2010-09-13 08:19:09','2010-09-13 15:19:09','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:  a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and hopefully inspiring others along the way.  2:  She is no longer waiting around for Happily Ever After to show up.  She\'s creating her own damn fairy tale.  3:  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a> 1: an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day  2: replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis </p>\r\n<!--  DELETE INSIDE IF DO NOt LIKE -->\r\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-left: -5px; margin-right: -35px;\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/themes/serenity/images/divider-image.png\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<!--          -->\r\n<a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-191\" style=\"margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Final B&amp;W1977test2\" src=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"130\" height=\"300\" /></a>Hi.  I\'m Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It\'s a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\nIf we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it\'s delicious.  I\'ve converted many of my Starbucksaholic friends.)\r\n\r\nYet you are at your computer, and I\'m probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Talk to Me.</strong></a> If you are feeling super feisty and creative, then <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submit an idea for my 365 project</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it!\r\n<h2 style=\"clear: left;\">Quirky Facts...</h2>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 30px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  A few years ago, I scored a spot on the show <em><a href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>While we\'re on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed \"The Worst Place to Find Love\" by the media.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I\'m still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I\'m having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>\r\n	<li>\r\n<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href=\"http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;\">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> </p>','What Makes Me Tick...','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-88','','','2010-09-13 08:19:09','2010-09-13 15:19:09','',2,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/13/2-revision-88/',0,'revision','',0),(325,1,'2010-09-14 08:57:56','2010-09-14 15:57:56','<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span>    </p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span>    </p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span>    </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>    \r\n\r\nI can live with that.   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always sensed that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>    \r\n\r\nAnd then...    \r\n\r\nLife got in the way.    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>   \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>    \r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>  \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span>  </blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.   \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span> \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span>  </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words: </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.     \r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.     \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>    \r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>    \r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span>    </blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\'s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.  It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Better still -- maybe we could try these ideas together and create an entire tribe that exudes Late Bloomer Mojo.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be <a href=\"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_muy_caliente_mean\" target=\"_blank\">muy caliente</a>!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                                                        -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','365 or Bust','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-35','','','2010-09-14 08:57:56','2010-09-14 15:57:56','',103,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/14/103-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(328,1,'2010-09-15 01:11:07','2010-09-15 08:11:07','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/dice1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-381\" title=\"dice\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/dice1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>Last year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <strong><a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/\" target=\"_blank\">blogspot.</a></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><br />\r\n </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It didn\'t work.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer \"existential\" over \"mid-life\" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Life kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, life getting in the way is... well... <em>life.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I need to get a grip and get on with mine.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to teach me how to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny), and a frenetically fun mission:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">To try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.</span></strong></p></blockquote>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This is the point where everyone asks, \"How are you going to keep this up?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fret not and leave the \"how\" to me.  I am on a mission, and missions lead people to all things possible.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am sure that my daily espresso addiction will fuel this mayhem.  Currently, my poison is two shots a day.  (Italian, of course.)  Let\'s see how much I\'m consuming when all is said and done.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>More importantly, your support and encouragement will keep me revved up (and hold me accountable).  I am actively seeking cohorts to accompany me in whichever way you choose:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Leave a comment on an (almost) daily post.</li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a></strong> What\'s on your mind, cupcake?</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Submit a 365 idea.</strong> </a>Be creative.  Be nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in my fair city:  Pick a day and let\'s go!</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in faraway places:  Bloom where you are planted.  And then please share your story!</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>If this post is your first visit to this blog, please check out <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 or Bust</a></strong> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>What Makes Me Tick</strong> </a>to gather a better understanding of the history and quirkiness behind this project.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Join the inner circle of bloominess by <strong><a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\">subscribing via email or RSS</a></strong>.  It\'s free, it\'s fun, it\'s easy, and it\'s the best way to keep in touch.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Today I turn 41, and I am no longer waiting for Happy Ever After to show up.  I\'m creating my own fairy tale.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>An intriguing and captivating fairy tale isn\'t a One-Princess Show!  Who wants to audition for my cast of characters?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Carpe Diem and all that jazz!</p>','Day 1:  Look Mom!  I\'m a Big Girl Blogger Now!','','publish','open','open','','day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now','','http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/','2010-09-17 22:56:17','2010-09-18 05:56:17','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=328',0,'post','',19),(329,1,'2010-09-14 19:45:14','2010-09-15 02:45:14','Last year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <a href=\"www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com \" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blogspot.</strong></a> \n\nI had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis. \n\nIt didn\'t work.\n\nI plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer \"existential\" over \"mid-life\" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.)  Life kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a><strong> </strong>\n\nAnywho, life getting int he way is... well... <em>life.</em> \n\nI need to get a grip and get on with mine. \n\nSo here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny)','Day 1:  Look Mom!  I\'m a Big Girl Blogger Now!','','inherit','open','open','','328-revision','','','2010-09-14 19:45:14','2010-09-15 02:45:14','',328,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/14/328-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(330,1,'2010-09-14 19:45:47','2010-09-15 02:45:47','Last year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <a href=\"www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com \" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blogspot.</strong></a> \r\n\r\nI had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis. \r\n\r\nIt didn\'t work.\r\n\r\nI plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer \"existential\" over \"mid-life\" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.)  Life kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a><strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nAnywho, life getting int he way is... well... <em>life.</em> \r\n\r\nI need to get a grip and get on with mine. \r\n\r\nSo here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to teach me how to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny), and frenetically fun mission:','Day 1:  Look Mom!  I\'m a Big Girl Blogger Now!','','inherit','open','open','','328-revision-2','','','2010-09-14 19:45:47','2010-09-15 02:45:47','',328,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/14/328-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(331,1,'2010-09-14 19:46:00','2010-09-15 02:46:00','Last year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <a href=\"www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com \" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blogspot.</strong></a> \r\n\r\nI had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis. \r\n\r\nIt didn\'t work.\r\n\r\nI plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer \"existential\" over \"mid-life\" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.)  Life kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a><strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nAnywho, life getting int he way is... well... <em>life.</em> \r\n\r\nI need to get a grip and get on with mine. \r\n\r\nSo here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to teach me how to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny), and frenetically fun mission:','Day 1:  Look Mom!  I\'m a Big Girl Blogger Now!','','inherit','open','open','','328-revision-3','','','2010-09-14 19:46:00','2010-09-15 02:46:00','',328,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/14/328-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(332,1,'2010-09-14 19:48:56','2010-09-15 02:48:56','Last year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <a href=\"www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com \" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blogspot.</strong></a> \r\n\r\nI had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis. \r\n\r\nIt didn\'t work.\r\n\r\nI plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer \"existential\" over \"mid-life\" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.)  Life kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a><strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nAnywho, life getting in the way is... well... <em>life.</em> \r\n\r\nI need to get a grip and get on with mine. \r\n\r\nSo here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to teach me how to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny), and a frenetically fun mission:\r\n<blockquote>To try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days. </blockquote>','Day 1:  Look Mom!  I\'m a Big Girl Blogger Now!','','inherit','open','open','','328-revision-4','','','2010-09-14 19:48:56','2010-09-15 02:48:56','',328,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/14/328-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(333,1,'2010-09-14 20:14:06','2010-09-15 03:14:06','Last year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <a href=\"www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com \" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blogspot.</strong></a> \r\n\r\nI had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis. \r\n\r\nIt didn\'t work.\r\n\r\nI plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer \"existential\" over \"mid-life\" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.) \r\n\r\nLife kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a><strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nAnywho, life getting in the way is... well... <em>life.</em> \r\n\r\nI need to get a grip and get on with mine. \r\n\r\nSo here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to teach me how to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny), and a frenetically fun mission:\r\n<blockquote>To try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days. </blockquote>\r\nThis is the point where everyone asks, \"How are you going to keep this up?\"\r\n\r\nFret not and leave the \"how\" to me.  I am on a mission, and missions lead people to all things possible. \r\n\r\nI am sure that my daily espresso addiction will  fuel this mayhem.  Right now I need two shots a day.  Let\'s see how much I\'m consuming when all is said and done. \r\n\r\nMore importantly, your support and encouragement will keep me revved up (and hold me accountable).  Please join me in this journey.  I am actively seeking cohorts to accompany me in whichever way they choose: \r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Leave a comment on an (almost) daily post.</li>\r\n	<li>Talk to Me.  What\'s on your mind, cupcake? </li>\r\n	<li>Submit a 365 idea.  Be creative.  Be nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in my fair city:  Pick a day and let\'s go!</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in faraway places:  Bloom where you are planted.  And then please share your story!</li>\r\n</ul>','Day 1:  Look Mom!  I\'m a Big Girl Blogger Now!','','inherit','open','open','','328-revision-5','','','2010-09-14 20:14:06','2010-09-15 03:14:06','',328,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/14/328-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(334,1,'2010-09-14 20:14:26','2010-09-15 03:14:26',' \r\n\r\nLast year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <a href=\"www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com \" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blogspot.</strong></a> \r\n\r\nI had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis. \r\n\r\nIt didn\'t work.\r\n\r\nI plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer \"existential\" over \"mid-life\" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.) \r\n\r\nLife kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a><strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nAnywho, life getting in the way is... well... <em>life.</em> \r\n\r\nI need to get a grip and get on with mine. \r\n\r\nSo here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to teach me how to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny), and a frenetically fun mission:\r\n<blockquote>To try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days. </blockquote>\r\nThis is the point where everyone asks, \"How are you going to keep this up?\"\r\n\r\nFret not and leave the \"how\" to me.  I am on a mission, and missions lead people to all things possible. \r\n\r\nI am sure that my daily espresso addiction will  fuel this mayhem.  Right now I need two shots a day.  Let\'s see how much I\'m consuming when all is said and done. \r\n\r\nMore importantly, your support and encouragement will keep me revved up (and hold me accountable).  Please join me in this journey.  I am actively seeking cohorts to accompany me in whichever way they choose: \r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Leave a comment on an (almost) daily post.</li>\r\n	<li>Talk to Me.  What\'s on your mind, cupcake? </li>\r\n	<li>Submit a 365 idea.  Be creative.  Be nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in my fair city:  Pick a day and let\'s go!</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in faraway places:  Bloom where you are planted.  And then please share your story!</li>\r\n</ul>','Day 1:  Look Mom!  I\'m a Big Girl Blogger Now!','','inherit','open','open','','328-revision-6','','','2010-09-14 20:14:26','2010-09-15 03:14:26','',328,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/14/328-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(335,1,'2010-09-14 20:35:38','2010-09-15 03:35:38',' \r\n\r\nLast year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <a href=\"www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com \" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blogspot.</strong></a> \r\n\r\nI had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis. \r\n\r\nIt didn\'t work.\r\n\r\nI plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer \"existential\" over \"mid-life\" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.) \r\n\r\nLife kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a><strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nAnywho, life getting in the way is... well... <em>life.</em> \r\n\r\nI need to get a grip and get on with mine. \r\n\r\nSo here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to teach me how to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny), and a frenetically fun mission:\r\n<blockquote>To try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days. </blockquote>\r\nThis is the point where everyone asks, \"How are you going to keep this up?\"\r\n\r\nFret not and leave the \"how\" to me.  I am on a mission, and missions lead people to all things possible. \r\n\r\nI am sure that my daily espresso addiction will  fuel this mayhem.  Right now I need two shots a day.  Let\'s see how much I\'m consuming when all is said and done. \r\n\r\nMore importantly, your support and encouragement will keep me revved up (and hold me accountable).  Please join me in this journey.  I am actively seeking cohorts to accompany me in whichever way they choose: \r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Leave a comment on an (almost) daily post.</li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a></strong>  What\'s on your mind, cupcake? </li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Submit a 365 idea.</strong> </a> Be creative.  Be nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in my fair city:  Pick a day and let\'s go!</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in faraway places:  Bloom where you are planted.  And then please share your story!</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf this post is your first visit to this blog, please check out <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 or Bust</a></strong> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>What Makes Me Tick</strong> </a>to gather a better understanding of the quirkiness behind this project. \r\n\r\nJoin the inner circle of bloominess by <strong><a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\">subscribing via email or RSS</a></strong>.  It\'s free, it\'s fun, it\'s easy, and it\'s the best way to keep in touch. \r\n\r\nToday I turn 41, and I am no longer waiting for Happy Ever After to show up.  I\'m creating my own damn fairy tale. \r\n\r\nWho is joining me? \r\n\r\nCarpe Diem and all that jazz!','Day 1:  Look Mom!  I\'m a Big Girl Blogger Now!','','inherit','open','open','','328-revision-7','','','2010-09-14 20:35:38','2010-09-15 03:35:38','',328,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/14/328-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(336,1,'2010-09-14 20:36:41','2010-09-15 03:36:41',' \r\n\r\nLast year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <strong><a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/\" target=\"_blank\">blogspot.</a></strong>\r\n\r\nI had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis. \r\n\r\nIt didn\'t work.\r\n\r\nI plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer \"existential\" over \"mid-life\" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.) \r\n\r\nLife kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a><strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nAnywho, life getting in the way is... well... <em>life.</em> \r\n\r\nI need to get a grip and get on with mine. \r\n\r\nSo here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to teach me how to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny), and a frenetically fun mission:\r\n<blockquote>To try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days. </blockquote>\r\nThis is the point where everyone asks, \"How are you going to keep this up?\"\r\n\r\nFret not and leave the \"how\" to me.  I am on a mission, and missions lead people to all things possible. \r\n\r\nI am sure that my daily espresso addiction will  fuel this mayhem.  Right now I need two shots a day.  Let\'s see how much I\'m consuming when all is said and done. \r\n\r\nMore importantly, your support and encouragement will keep me revved up (and hold me accountable).  Please join me in this journey.  I am actively seeking cohorts to accompany me in whichever way they choose: \r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Leave a comment on an (almost) daily post.</li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Talk to Me.</a></strong>  What\'s on your mind, cupcake? </li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Submit a 365 idea.</strong> </a> Be creative.  Be nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in my fair city:  Pick a day and let\'s go!</li>\r\n	<li>Friends in faraway places:  Bloom where you are planted.  And then please share your story!</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf this post is your first visit to this blog, please check out <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 or Bust</a></strong> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>What Makes Me Tick</strong> </a>to gather a better understanding of the quirkiness behind this project. \r\n\r\nJoin the inner circle of bloominess by <strong><a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\">subscribing via email or RSS</a></strong>.  It\'s free, it\'s fun, it\'s easy, and it\'s the best way to keep in touch. \r\n\r\nToday I turn 41, and I am no longer waiting for Happy Ever After to show up.  I\'m creating my own damn fairy tale. \r\n\r\nWho is joining me? \r\n\r\nCarpe Diem and all that jazz!','Day 1:  Look Mom!  I\'m a Big Girl Blogger Now!','','inherit','open','open','','328-revision-8','','','2010-09-14 20:36:41','2010-09-15 03:36:41','',328,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/14/328-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0);
