(12209,1,'2013-02-16 20:35:36','2013-02-17 03:35:36','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>','He Said/She Said Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-5','','','2013-02-16 20:35:36','2013-02-17 03:35:36','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/16/12199-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(12208,1,'2013-02-16 20:35:10','2013-02-17 03:35:10','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>','He Said/She Said Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-4','','','2013-02-16 20:35:10','2013-02-17 03:35:10','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/16/12199-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(12210,1,'2013-02-16 20:37:29','2013-02-17 03:37:29','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>','He Said/She Said Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-6','','','2013-02-16 20:37:29','2013-02-17 03:37:29','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/16/12199-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(12211,1,'2013-02-16 20:37:29','2013-02-17 03:37:29','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>','He Said/She Said Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-7','','','2013-02-16 20:37:29','2013-02-17 03:37:29','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/16/12199-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(12212,1,'2013-02-16 20:37:58','2013-02-17 03:37:58','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-8','','','2013-02-16 20:37:58','2013-02-17 03:37:58','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/16/12199-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(12213,1,'2013-02-16 20:38:05','2013-02-17 03:38:05','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-9','','','2013-02-16 20:38:05','2013-02-17 03:38:05','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/16/12199-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(12214,1,'2013-02-17 20:24:24','2013-02-18 03:24:24','&nbsp;\nA few weeks ago, I called out for guest bloggers.  World\'s Most Precious Niece and World\'s Best Bro-in-Law rose to the challenge.  \n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve always gotten a kick out of our token male readers who periodically comment on here, and now we have real live man blogging!  Yay!  \n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-10','','','2013-02-17 20:24:24','2013-02-18 03:24:24','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/17/12199-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(12215,1,'2013-02-17 20:26:13','2013-02-18 03:26:13','A few weeks ago, <strong>I called out for guest bloggers.</strong>\nI\'ve always gotten a kick out of our token male readers who periodically comment on here, and now we have real live man blogging! Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you World\'s Best Bro-in-Law and World\'s Most Precious Niece.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-11','','','2013-02-17 20:26:13','2013-02-18 03:26:13','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/17/12199-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(12216,1,'2013-02-17 20:28:36','2013-02-18 03:28:36','A few weeks ago, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I called out for guest bloggers.</strong> </a>\n&nbsp;\nI\'ve always gotten a kick out of our token male readers who periodically comment on here, and now we have real live man blogging! Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you World\'s Best Bro-in-Law and World\'s Most Precious Niece.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-12','','','2013-02-17 20:28:36','2013-02-18 03:28:36','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/17/12199-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(12217,1,'2013-02-17 20:28:50','2013-02-18 03:28:50','A few weeks ago, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I called out for guest bloggers.</strong> </a>\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI\'ve always gotten a kick out of our token male readers who periodically comment on here, and now we have real live man blogging! Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you World\'s Best Bro-in-Law and World\'s Most Precious Niece.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-13','','','2013-02-17 20:28:50','2013-02-18 03:28:50','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/17/12199-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(12218,1,'2013-02-17 20:29:03','2013-02-18 03:29:03','A few weeks ago, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I called out for guest bloggers.</strong> </a>\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI\'ve always gotten a kick out of our token male readers who periodically comment on here, and now we have real live man blogging! Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you World\'s Best Bro-in-Law and World\'s Most Precious Niece.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-14','','','2013-02-17 20:29:03','2013-02-18 03:29:03','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/17/12199-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(12219,1,'2013-02-17 20:29:39','2013-02-18 03:29:39','A few weeks ago, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I called out for guest bloggers.</strong> </a>\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI\'ve always gotten a kick out of our token male readers who periodically comment on here, and now we have real live man blogging! Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you World\'s Best Bro-in-Law and World\'s Most Precious Niece.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-15','','','2013-02-17 20:29:39','2013-02-18 03:29:39','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/17/12199-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(12220,1,'2013-02-18 21:28:20','2013-02-19 04:28:20','A few weeks ago, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I called out for guest bloggers.</strong> </a>\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI\'ve always gotten a kick out of our token male readers who periodically comment on here, and now we a have real live man blogging! Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you World\'s Best Bro-in-Law and World\'s Most Precious Niece.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-16','','','2013-02-18 21:28:20','2013-02-19 04:28:20','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/18/12199-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(12222,1,'2013-02-27 01:11:56','2013-02-27 08:11:56','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we heard from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email, a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCheck out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is the story of Bernita rescuing Punkin.  Or is it Punkin that rescued Bernita?  I think Bernita\'s perspective rings true in every dog lover\'s heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who we really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','publish','open','open','','my-dog-has-a-doppelganger','','','2013-02-26 14:03:28','2013-02-26 21:03:28','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=12222',0,'post','',11),(12225,1,'2013-02-26 13:11:27','2013-02-26 20:11:27','My dog, Bella','Bella','','inherit','open','open','','sony-dsc-15','','','2013-02-26 13:11:27','2013-02-26 20:11:27','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12223,1,'2013-02-26 13:03:15','2013-02-26 20:03:15','My dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties</strong>, we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <strong>Mingus Manor </strong>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.  Here is her story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My   hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does. Except for the butt sniffing.\n</span>\n<div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing...I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts. Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision','','','2013-02-26 13:03:15','2013-02-26 20:03:15','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12224,1,'2013-02-26 13:05:23','2013-02-26 20:05:23','My dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties</strong>, we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <strong>Mingus Manor </strong>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My   hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does. Except for the butt sniffing.\n</span>\n<div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing...I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts. Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-2','','','2013-02-26 13:05:23','2013-02-26 20:05:23','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12226,1,'2013-02-26 13:12:33','2013-02-26 20:12:33','','Bella\'s Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','photo_4','','','2013-02-26 13:12:33','2013-02-26 20:12:33','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12227,1,'2013-02-26 13:16:42','2013-02-26 20:16:42','','Page_1','','inherit','open','open','','page_1','','','2013-02-26 13:16:42','2013-02-26 20:16:42','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12228,1,'2013-02-26 13:20:47','2013-02-26 20:20:47','','IMG_8441','','inherit','open','open','','img_8441','','','2013-02-26 13:20:47','2013-02-26 20:20:47','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12229,1,'2013-02-26 13:21:48','2013-02-26 20:21:48','','photo_5','','inherit','open','open','','photo_5','','','2013-02-26 13:21:48','2013-02-26 20:21:48','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12230,1,'2013-02-26 13:24:16','2013-02-26 20:24:16','','IMG_8406','','inherit','open','open','','img_8406','','','2013-02-26 13:24:16','2013-02-26 20:24:16','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12231,1,'2013-02-26 13:26:38','2013-02-26 20:26:38','','Doggy Mohawk','Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D ','inherit','open','open','','img_8129','','','2013-02-26 13:26:38','2013-02-26 20:26:38','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12232,1,'2013-02-26 13:32:24','2013-02-26 20:32:24','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-14','','','2013-02-26 13:32:24','2013-02-26 20:32:24','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12233,1,'2013-02-26 13:37:05','2013-02-26 20:37:05','&nbsp;\n\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\n\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\n\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\n<div>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Except for the butt sniffing.\n</span>\n<div>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231\" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-3','','','2013-02-26 13:37:05','2013-02-26 20:37:05','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(12234,1,'2013-02-26 13:38:03','2013-02-26 20:38:03','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-4','','','2013-02-26 13:38:03','2013-02-26 20:38:03','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(12235,1,'2013-02-26 13:38:25','2013-02-26 20:38:25','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-5','','','2013-02-26 13:38:25','2013-02-26 20:38:25','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(12236,1,'2013-02-26 13:42:11','2013-02-26 20:42:11','&nbsp;\n\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\n\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\n\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\n<div>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\n</span>\n<div>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-6','','','2013-02-26 13:42:11','2013-02-26 20:42:11','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(12237,1,'2013-02-26 13:42:38','2013-02-26 20:42:38','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-7','','','2013-02-26 13:42:38','2013-02-26 20:42:38','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(12238,1,'2013-02-26 13:42:46','2013-02-26 20:42:46','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-8','','','2013-02-26 13:42:46','2013-02-26 20:42:46','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(12239,1,'2013-02-26 13:42:52','2013-02-26 20:42:52','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-9','','','2013-02-26 13:42:52','2013-02-26 20:42:52','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(12240,1,'2013-02-26 13:43:49','2013-02-26 20:43:49','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-10','','','2013-02-26 13:43:49','2013-02-26 20:43:49','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(12241,1,'2013-02-26 13:43:54','2013-02-26 20:43:54','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we received a fan letter from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-11','','','2013-02-26 13:43:54','2013-02-26 20:43:54','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(12242,1,'2013-02-26 13:44:55','2013-02-26 20:44:55','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we heard from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-12','','','2013-02-26 13:44:55','2013-02-26 20:44:55','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(12243,1,'2013-02-26 13:45:00','2013-02-26 20:45:00','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we heard from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-13','','','2013-02-26 13:45:00','2013-02-26 20:45:00','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(12244,1,'2013-02-26 13:45:53','2013-02-26 20:45:53','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we heard from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-14','','','2013-02-26 13:45:53','2013-02-26 20:45:53','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(12245,1,'2013-02-26 13:54:33','2013-02-26 20:54:33','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we heard from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email, a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCheck out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who we really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-autosave','','','2013-02-26 13:54:33','2013-02-26 20:54:33','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(12246,1,'2013-02-26 13:46:12','2013-02-26 20:46:12','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we heard from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who were really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-15','','','2013-02-26 13:46:12','2013-02-26 20:46:12','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(12247,1,'2013-02-26 13:52:56','2013-02-26 20:52:56','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we heard from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who we really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-16','','','2013-02-26 13:52:56','2013-02-26 20:52:56','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(12248,1,'2013-02-26 13:53:56','2013-02-26 20:53:56','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we heard from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email, a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.  Check out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who we really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-17','','','2013-02-26 13:53:56','2013-02-26 20:53:56','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(12249,1,'2013-02-26 13:54:10','2013-02-26 20:54:10','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy dog has a doppelganger.  In the midst of <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bella\'s fundraiser for underprivileged pooches and kitties (still underway if you would like to donate!)</strong>,</a> we heard from a woman who rescued Bella\'s doppeleganger.  She sent me a lovely email, a few photos, and made a donation to <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor </strong></a>in Bella\'s honor.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCheck out these photos!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12225\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12225\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12225\" alt=\"Bella\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12226\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12226\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12226\" alt=\"Bella\'s Doppelganger\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_4-300x254.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLeft:  My dog, Bella\r\n\r\nRight:  Bella\'s Doppelganger, Punkin\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPractically twins separated at birth, are they not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom her lovely email, I deciphered that Bernita is a frustrated writer.  As a blogger in search of guest bloggers, I asked Bernita if she would consider penning a guest post.  She cyber-blushed and accepted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is Bernita\'s rescue story.  Or rather, the story of Bella\'s Doppelganger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">It\'s not everyday that someone asks me to write something other than my name on a check or credit card receipt, so I am so delighted that Michelle invited me to write a guest blog about a play date with my little dog Punkin. Punkin is a recent rescue from Caring for Canines in Scottsdale. More in detail about her in just a bit...first I want to share how I got this awesome chance to tell you a little about my precious furry girl and how we are teaching each other some lessons about life.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">A good friend of mine recently sent me a link to Michelle\'s blog...specifically the part about her wonderfully generous dog Bella. It seems that Bella wants to do something special to celebrate her birthday this year...she wants no toys...no bully sticks...no usual doggy treats... <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>instead Bella wants everyone to donate to Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary during the month of February</strong></a>...of course feel free to donate anytime of year since Mingus is paws-itively wonderful and they do so much to help senior dogsters and even elderly felines live out their lives in a safe loving environment.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My friend saw Bella\'s photo and remarked to me just how much Bella looks like my little Punkin. I got Punkin after my husband and I had to say goodbye to the last of our three adorable Chihuahuas. Because of my health, he worried that I could no longer take care of any more dogs. He firmly planted his foot down and said there would be no more dogs in my future. After a lifetime of having dogs under my feet, in my bed and most importantly, in my heart...I had to do something to get that size twelve shoe unplanted. And so for months I sat at my computer searching for the perfect dog to melt his heart. I would have been happy with any dog, any breed, any size, any sex...it mattered not. Fur or no fur, light or dark, straight or curly...short tail, long tail or no tail...well you get the picture. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so I sat...and searched...until one day \"she appeared\". A small terrier with wiry hair...a rescue approximately a year old who weighed about five pounds. ( She weighed seven). As I had done for days, for months, I sent her photo to my husband...we are \"seniors\" he and I...he will be seventy three soon and I am still holding firmly to thirty nine...okay... to sixty seven...and we are never more than a few feet apart from one another. Each day he sits with his iPad and I use my Macbook Air...and so I e-mailed him from across the room...subject: \"cute dog\"...just as I had labelled each of my hopefuls from previous messages. This time I actually got a reply. It said simply \"call\".</span>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12227\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12227\" alt=\"Page_1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Page_1-231x300.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I nearly fell off my chair as I \"raced\" around the counter to reach the telephone. Call I did. And the rest is history. I finally had my little girl... except that she has turned out to be a daddy\'s girl who (thankfully) also loves her mommy. She slept on his head that first night and now she sleeps snuggled next to him in bed and I sleep on her other side. My hubby of nearly half a century more than once vowed that nothing would ever come between us... and nothing has...except for a lifetime of sleeping dogs in our bed. Thankfully Punkin curls herself up so tightly when she sleeps that she resembles an over-sized cinnamon roll...she certainly is as sweet as one!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Because of my health I am unable to walk much so he is the one who takes her on her daily excursions. He also takes her to the vet, the groomer or just for those \"Punkin wants to go for a ride in the car\" moments. She loves those car trips and of course her daddy loves all of the attention she gets...after years of living with gray-haired me...he finally has a cute blonde chick on his arm! On the days we go out together I have learned that Punkin is a \"chick magnet\". No sooner than she is spotted in my husband\'s arms... they are surrounded by so many females that it is a good thing I am not a jealous wife. Of course all they want to do is to see Punkin...but don\'t tell him that!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12228\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12228\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12228\" alt=\"IMG_8441\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8441-300x250.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And so today it is my pleasure to share some things with you about how my life has changed since Punkin moved in with us. My husband Ron and I are retired and we are pretty laid back people. Our Chihuahuas liked to sleep late, take lots of naps, and eat...then nap and eat...and then they would get busy right before bed...have a snack and then call it a night...it sounded pretty good to us and so we continued living like Chihuahuas after we lost all of them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Punkin is a terrier...a very busy terrier...she wakes up busy...thankfully she too likes to sleep in but when she finally wakes up she is all business...we are still living as Chihuahuas but we are trying our best to become terriers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12229\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12229\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12229\" alt=\"photo_5\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo_5-300x246.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Her day is filled with lots of walks with her daddy...lots of rides in the car even if all they do is drive around and wave at the neighbors. There is always lots of barking and lots of fetching squeaky toys. I try each day to teach her something new and we are working hard on the barking...she is a fast learner and she is also a great teacher. Some days our roles reverse and Punkin becomes the teacher and I am the student.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">There is a familiar expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...but little has been written about teaching some new tricks to an old woman...especially when the teacher is a young dog. She is an excellent teacher and I try to be a fast learner. I am amazed at what she has already taught me in the few months since she stole my heart.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">My husband has always told me that I don\'t take compliments well...I have never mastered the art of just saying thank you. Yet Punkin not only graciously accepts her compliments, but she rewards them with a wagging tail or a sloppy kiss. I certainly will never do that, but how I wish I could be more like she is at these times.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12230\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12230\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12230\" alt=\"IMG_8406\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8406-210x300.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is not afraid to take risks...I watched as another small dog approached her in a pet boutique. Neither of them seemed genuinely fearful but they were both cautious...they did the customary tail sniff sniffing and checked out a few other body parts as they circled one another. </span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Eyeball to eyeball, both at the same moment deciding that the other dog was okay... they finally bid adiou and wandered off to explore the store...both feeling a bit superior that they hadn\'t allowed fear to keep them from discovering just how brave they both were at that moment. </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Oh, how I wish I could be more brave...to not let fear keep me from doing the things in life that I really want to do and to be aware of all that is around me...both good and bad...just as Punkin does.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">Except for the butt sniffing.\r\n</span>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is a silly girl...when everyone is watching and even when they are not...she is just Punkin...loud and proud...never afraid to show her feelings or speak her mind...even if it gets her into trouble. (At least she has a cute albeit annoying bark.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She is never afraid to try new things...she might not like them but she always is willing to try...this is a lesson I need to learn since as I have aged I become more \"set in my ways\"...afraid to take risks, I worry that I will fail. Punkin has learned in the few months that she has been with us, that sometimes if she tries new things she often times likes them...new foods, new experiences...a new path to explore. She is a good observer and a fast learner...and she is patient...very patient. She amazes me with just how patient she can be. And she is not afraid to go after something she wants...she has learned that if she waits it might not be there for her later.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12231\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"237\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12231\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12231 \" alt=\"Punkin rocking her mohawk.  Bella\'s fur does this, too!  :-D \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_8129-237x300.jpg\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" /></a> Caption from Michelle: Punkin rocking her mohawk. Bella\'s fur does this, too! :-D[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And she is polite...gracious. When she was in rescue we were told that she is grateful for everything offered to her. You can see it in her eyes...she is grateful and gracious and appreciates everything she is given...a treat, a toy, a walk...she rewards you with a wagging tail, a kiss, or she will just come and lay down beside you and fall asleep with her little head resting on your hand. She just melts my heart and makes me ashamed that I am not more gracious, more appreciative of all that I have.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; color: #008000; font-size: large;\"><strong>Best of all she has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new about myself...and that you are never too old to stop playing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">I can\'t run anymore but she can...I can still throw a ball and she will fetch it and we play for hours...and she makes me laugh and when I laugh I forget where it hurts.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>Sometimes the mirror makes us forget who we really are on the inside...inanimate objects like mirrors and calendars can be so cruel. Punkin is the best medicine that I have. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">She doesn\'t care if my hair looks okay or if I am wearing makeup. She doesn\'t care that I walk with a stoop or my hands are gnarled from arthritis. She loves me for who I am...she does a much better job loving me than I do loving myself.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12232\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12232\" alt=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; font-size: medium;\">And finally she has taught me that it is okay to relax and enjoy our play time...the dishes, the laundry can wait but a puppy can\'t...when I was younger I always said that I never wanted to grow up. I wanted to be like Peter Pan and remain a kid forever. Now I\'m a grown up kid with a little puppy.  A smart puppy who has taught me so much about what is important in life. It just doesn\'t get any better than that. </span>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog has a Doppelganger','','inherit','open','open','','12222-revision-18','','','2013-02-26 13:54:10','2013-02-26 20:54:10','',12222,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/26/12222-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(12251,1,'2013-03-06 01:11:28','2013-03-06 08:11:28','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/greetings-from-my-blogcation-part-deux/photos-from-feb-26-2013/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','publish','open','open','','greetings-from-my-blogcation-part-deux','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/','2013-03-06 19:17:17','2013-03-07 02:17:17','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=12251',0,'post','',5),(12252,1,'2013-03-05 19:50:42','2013-03-06 02:50:42','','Photos from Feb 26, 2013','','inherit','open','open','','photos-from-feb-26-2013','','','2013-03-05 19:50:42','2013-03-06 02:50:42','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12253,1,'2013-03-05 19:55:17','2013-03-06 02:55:17','Yep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <strong>back in January.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it already March???  Seriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12252\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd now for the really fun part:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nName that Winter Wonderland!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe winner will\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision','','','2013-03-05 19:55:17','2013-03-06 02:55:17','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12254,1,'2013-03-05 19:59:17','2013-03-06 02:59:17','Yep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it already March???  Seriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12252\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for playing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-2','','','2013-03-05 19:59:17','2013-03-06 02:59:17','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12255,1,'2013-03-05 20:00:17','2013-03-06 03:00:17','Yep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it already March???  Seriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12252\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008080;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008080;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for playing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-3','','','2013-03-05 20:00:17','2013-03-06 03:00:17','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(12256,1,'2013-03-05 20:02:24','2013-03-06 03:02:24','&nbsp;\n\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it already March???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12252\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for playing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-4','','','2013-03-05 20:02:24','2013-03-06 03:02:24','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(12257,1,'2013-03-05 20:02:27','2013-03-06 03:02:27','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12252\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-5','','','2013-03-05 20:02:27','2013-03-06 03:02:27','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(12258,1,'2013-03-05 20:02:36','2013-03-06 03:02:36','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12252\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-6','','','2013-03-05 20:02:36','2013-03-06 03:02:36','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(12259,1,'2013-03-05 20:03:40','2013-03-06 03:03:40','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12252\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-7','','','2013-03-05 20:03:40','2013-03-06 03:03:40','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(12260,1,'2013-03-05 20:03:40','2013-03-06 03:03:40','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/greetings-from-my-blogcation-part-deux/photos-from-feb-26-2013/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-8','','','2013-03-05 20:03:40','2013-03-06 03:03:40','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(12261,1,'2013-03-05 20:03:55','2013-03-06 03:03:55','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/greetings-from-my-blogcation-part-deux/photos-from-feb-26-2013/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-9','','','2013-03-05 20:03:55','2013-03-06 03:03:55','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(12262,1,'2013-03-05 20:04:33','2013-03-06 03:04:33','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/greetings-from-my-blogcation-part-deux/photos-from-feb-26-2013/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-10','','','2013-03-05 20:04:33','2013-03-06 03:04:33','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(12264,1,'2013-03-06 19:14:00','2013-03-07 02:14:00','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/greetings-from-my-blogcation-part-deux/photos-from-feb-26-2013/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-12','','','2013-03-06 19:14:00','2013-03-07 02:14:00','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/06/12251-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(12263,1,'2013-03-05 20:05:32','2013-03-06 03:05:32','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/greetings-from-my-blogcation-part-deux/photos-from-feb-26-2013/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-11','','','2013-03-05 20:05:32','2013-03-06 03:05:32','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/12251-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(12266,1,'2013-03-06 19:15:47','2013-03-07 02:15:47','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/WinterWonder.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Snapping Photos in a Winter Wonderland\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-14','','','2013-03-06 19:15:47','2013-03-07 02:15:47','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/06/12251-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(12265,1,'2013-03-06 19:14:28','2013-03-07 02:14:28','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/greetings-from-my-blogcation-part-deux/photos-from-feb-26-2013/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Snapping Photos in a Winter Wonderland\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-13','','','2013-03-06 19:14:28','2013-03-07 02:14:28','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/06/12251-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(12267,1,'2013-03-06 19:17:11','2013-03-07 02:17:11','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I\'m still on Blogcation as I first mentioned <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>back in January.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it already March???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeriously.  HOW IS IT ALREADY MARCH?!?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  I\'ve calmed down now.  Here\'s my latest postcard just for you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/05/greetings-from-my-blogcation-part-deux/photos-from-feb-26-2013/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12252\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12252\" alt=\"Photos from Feb 26, 2013\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Photos-from-Feb-26-2013.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"785\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>And now for the really fun part:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Name that Winter Wonderland!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would ask that The Parental Unit, my sister, and anyone else who knew of my whereabouts to kindly pipe down.  If you had no idea that I was even out of town, then guess away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive a cyber-high five from me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I realize that the gift is pretty lame.  If you are truly yearning for a real gift, I suppose that I could spring for a Starbucks gift card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for playing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation Part Deux','','inherit','open','open','','12251-revision-15','','','2013-03-06 19:17:11','2013-03-07 02:17:11','',12251,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/06/12251-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(12268,1,'2010-09-30 08:50:15','2010-09-30 15:50:15','<p><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\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/mexmocha-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" 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. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each 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. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A 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. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Uh-oh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Another 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. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Duh.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But...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. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until I discovered that Whole Paycheck was no longer carrying my particular beans.  Horrors x 2!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I 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! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So I scooped some free trade, organic espresso beans into a bag and went on my merry way. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The 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.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Upon grinding the beans, I noticed that the grounds were really, really dark.  Omen #2. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I 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! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I brewed the espresso and mixed my famous Almond Milk Latte.  The anticipation was killing me.  I took my first sip and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Bleck. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Perhaps not the fine wine of espressos.  I would say more like wine in a box.  And I\'m being kind. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I 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. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Cooleenie 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. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When 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! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Again, 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? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So 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. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For your culinary pleasure, <a href=\"http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/mexican-mocha-mix/Detail.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>click here for a REAL Mexican Mocha recipe</strong></a><strong>.</strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And 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>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 14:  When Life Throws You a Bad Bean...','','inherit','open','open','','781-revision-25','','','2010-09-30 08:50:15','2010-09-30 15:50:15','',781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/30/781-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(12269,1,'2011-03-15 21:15:56','2011-03-16 04:15:56','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P314000712.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4588\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P314000712-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough I believe it was technically a dog \"cookie\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve really lost it now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThese dog biscuits/cookies look just like Oreos!  I couldn\'t help myself!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella received them as an obedience school graduation gift from her trainer.  They remained unopened for quite some time, as Little Miss B had many other treat bags already opened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat would you do if you were handing over Oreo wannabes to your dog?  Wouldn\'t you be the slightest bit curious?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.exclusivelypet.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=110&amp;Itemid=87\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4589\" title=\"Sandwich_Carob\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Sandwich_Carob1-197x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> They\'re sweet.  Now I understand why Little Miss B literally spins in circles for them.  They\'re <em>much</em> better than the purple Scooby Doo dog biscuit that I sampled when I was in first grade.  Dog treats have come a long way, baby!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<object width=\"250\" height=\"400\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://listen.grooveshark.com/widget.swf\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"window\" /><param name=\"allowScriptAccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&amp;songIDs=24177100&amp;style=metal&amp;p=0\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"250\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://listen.grooveshark.com/widget.swf\" wmode=\"window\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" flashvars=\"hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&amp;songIDs=24177100&amp;style=metal&amp;p=0\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 169:  I Ate a Dog Biscuit','','inherit','open','open','','4564-revision-22','','','2011-03-15 21:15:56','2011-03-16 04:15:56','',4564,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/15/4564-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(12271,1,'2013-03-13 20:54:07','2013-03-14 03:54:07','','Screen shot 2013-03-13 at 8.53.09 PM','','inherit','open','open','','screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8-53-09-pm','','','2013-03-13 20:54:07','2013-03-14 03:54:07','',12270,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8.53.09-PM.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(12272,1,'2013-03-13 20:56:21','2013-03-14 03:56:21','I have an announcement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may have noticed that this blog has hovered around The Year of Play looooonnnnng past 365 days.  I\'ve mentioned before that changes are a-brewin\' behind the scenes of Diary of a Late Bloomer.  It\'s all terribly exciting.  To me, at least.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd now for the announcement.  May I have a drumroll, please?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>I am dreaming up an E-Course.  Woot x 2!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe topic of the E-Course is still very hush-hush, but what I can tell you is that it has FINALLY moved out of dreamer stage and into action stage.  Eternal dreamer that I am, this is a big step.  Woot x 3!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAction Step #1:  The Outline.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former educator of 16 years, I get giddy over outlines.  You should have seen my lesson plans back in the day.  Outlined to the hilt.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuring the outline process for my E-Course, I am combing through the archives of The Year of Living Curiously.  Reminiscing over <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/16/day-109-i-composed-my-six-word-memoir-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>this post</strong> </a>stopped me dead in my tracks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12271\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12271\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-12271\" alt=\"Screen shot 2013-03-13 at 8.53.09 PM\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8.53.09-PM-1024x648.png\" width=\"737\" height=\"466\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k., so what does all of this have to do with my Half Birthday?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI came across <strong>this post</strong> where I announced that I am a big dork and celebrate my Half Birthday.  In an attempt to redeem myself, I will say that I don\'t go big or go home with cake, presents and balloons on my Half Birthday.  I do feel a little Half Birthday rush of joy and make a mental note of where I am at in my year, and what I would like to celebrate in the next 6 months.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReminiscing over my 2011 Half Birthday in this post stopped me dead in my tracks.','It\'s My Half Birthday.  Woot.  ','','inherit','open','open','','12270-revision','','','2013-03-13 20:56:21','2013-03-14 03:56:21','',12270,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/13/12270-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12323,1,'2013-04-03 11:24:47','2013-04-03 18:24:47','&nbsp;\r\nOn Easter Sunday, my mom posted a preshy-presh video on facebook of sweet little puppies peacefully interacting with bunnies and chicks.  Awwww . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI morbidly chuckled at how Bella could never have been cast in this clip.  With her keen hunting instinct and her springtime obsession with our neighborhood\'s bunny infestation, this warm and fuzzy Easter scene would have morphed into a horror movie fo sho.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCheck out World\'s Most Precious Pooch as she cyber-stalks her prey.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/qfdmenmX6wc\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Hunts The Easter Bunny','','publish','open','open','','worlds-most-precious-pooch-hunts-the-easter-bunny','','','2013-04-03 11:24:47','2013-04-03 18:24:47','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=12323',0,'post','',8),(12274,1,'2013-03-14 19:39:33','2013-03-15 02:39:33','I have an announcement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may have noticed that this blog has hovered around The Year of Play looooonnnnng past 365 days.  I\'ve mentioned before that changes are a-brewin\' behind the scenes of Diary of a Late Bloomer.  It\'s all terribly exciting.  To me, at least.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd now for the announcement.  May I have a drumroll, please?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>I am dreaming up an E-Course.  Woot x 2!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe topic of the E-Course is still very hush-hush, but what I can tell you is that it has FINALLY moved out of dreamer stage and into action stage.  Eternal dreamer that I am, this is a big step.  Woot x 3!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAction Step #1:  The Outline.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former educator of 16 years, I get giddy over outlines.  You should have seen my lesson plans back in the day.  Outlined to the hilt.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuring the outline process for my E-Course, I am combing through the archives of The Year of Living Curiously.  Reminiscing over <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/16/day-109-i-composed-my-six-word-memoir-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>this post</strong> </a>stopped me dead in my tracks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12271\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12271\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-12271\" alt=\"Screen shot 2013-03-13 at 8.53.09 PM\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8.53.09-PM-1024x648.png\" width=\"737\" height=\"466\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo what does all of this have to do with my Half Birthday?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBear with me here.  I am Queen of the Tangents.  I know this about myself.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn an attempt to redeem myself from Half Birthday Dorkdom, I will say that I don\'t go big or go home with cake, presents and balloons on my Half Birthday.  I do feel a little Half Birthday rush of joy and make a mental note of where I am at in my year, and what I would like to celebrate in the next 6 months.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a Happy Half Birthday to Me, I am requesting a do-over!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd I have decided to change/edit/obliterate my halfway depressing Six-Word Memoir.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFrom March 15th 2013 and onward, my NEW and IMPOR','It\'s My Half Birthday.  Woot.  ','','inherit','open','open','','12270-revision-2','','','2013-03-14 19:39:33','2013-03-15 02:39:33','',12270,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/14/12270-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12275,1,'2013-03-14 20:03:34','2013-03-15 03:03:34','I have an announcement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may have noticed that this blog has hovered around The Year of Play looooonnnnng past 365 days.  I\'ve mentioned before that changes are a-brewin\' behind the scenes of Diary of a Late Bloomer.  It\'s all terribly exciting.  To me, at least.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd now for the announcement.  May I have a drumroll, please?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>I am dreaming up an E-Course.  Woot x 2!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe topic of the E-Course is still very hush-hush, but what I can tell you is that it has FINALLY moved out of dreamer stage and into action stage.  Eternal dreamer that I am, this is a big step.  Woot x 3!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAction Step #1:  The Outline.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former educator of 16 years, I flip over outlines.  You should have seen my lesson plans back in the day.  Outlined to the hilt.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuring the outline process for my E-Course, I combed through the archives of <strong>The Year of Living Curiously.</strong>  Reminiscing over <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/16/day-109-i-composed-my-six-word-memoir-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>this post</strong> </a>stopped me dead in my tracks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12271\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12271\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-12271\" alt=\"Screen shot 2013-03-13 at 8.53.09 PM\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8.53.09-PM-1024x648.png\" width=\"737\" height=\"466\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo what does all of this have to do with my Half Birthday?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me, please.  I am Queen of the Tangents.  I know this about myself.  Thank you for your support.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn an attempt to redeem myself from Half Birthday Dorkdom, I will say that I <em>don\'t</em> go big or go home with cake, presents and balloons on my Half Birthday.  I <em>do</em> feel a twinge of Half Birthday giddiness and make a mental note of where I am at in my year, and what I would like to celebrate in the next 6 months.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a Happy Half Birthday to Me, I am requesting a do-over of my Six-Word Memoir!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd I have decided to change/edit/obliterate my halfway depressing Six-Word Memoir.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFrom March 15th 2013 and onward, my NEW and IMPROVED Six-Word Memoir is . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnother drumroll, please . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>So many passions.  PLENTY of time.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  Happy Half Birthday to Me indeed!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to write my E-Course!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to contact literary agents about the three children\'s books and one inspirational book on dating (yes, I did use \"inspirational\" and \"dating\" in the same phrase -- shocking, I know!) that I\'ve previously written but have not consistently submitted to people who can actually....well....<em>publish them</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to dust off the first draft of my screenplay and write a gazillion subsequent drafts.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to haul out my guitar out and take my playing to the next level.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to sing my heart and soul out at Open Mic Nights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to travel the world, including a visit to The Motherland whilst I still have relatives there who walk amongst the living.  Viva Portugal!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to find my dream cottage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time for HIM to find me.  (Although I wish he\'d hurry up and get here already!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to embrace and dive into the passions that I haven\'t even unearthed yet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat have you placed on your shelf for \"Someday\"?  What one thing are you ready to take off that shelf today?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust pick one.  Once that one thing is nice and shiny, you can go back to the shelf for the next thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my new life experiment.  Join me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSomeday is today.\n\n&nbsp;','I Have Plenty of Time.  (Oh.  And It\'s My Half Birthday.  Woot.)  ','','inherit','open','open','','12270-revision-3','','','2013-03-14 20:03:34','2013-03-15 03:03:34','',12270,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/14/12270-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(12276,1,'2013-03-14 20:06:34','2013-03-15 03:06:34','I have an announcement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may have noticed that this blog has hovered around The Year of Play looooonnnnng past 365 days.  I\'ve mentioned before that changes are a-brewin\' behind the scenes of Diary of a Late Bloomer.  It\'s all terribly exciting.  To me, at least.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd now for the announcement.  May I have a drumroll, please?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>I am dreaming up an E-Course.  Woot x 2!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe topic of the E-Course is still very hush-hush, but what I can tell you is that it has FINALLY moved out of dreamer stage and into action stage.  Eternal dreamer that I am, this is a big step.  Woot x 3!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAction Step #1:  The Outline.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former educator of 16 years, I flip over outlines.  You should have seen my lesson plans back in the day.  Outlined to the hilt.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuring the outline process for my E-Course, I combed through the archives of <strong>The Year of Living Curiously.</strong>  Reminiscing over <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/16/day-109-i-composed-my-six-word-memoir-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>this post</strong> </a>stopped me dead in my tracks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12271\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12271\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-12271\" alt=\"Screen shot 2013-03-13 at 8.53.09 PM\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8.53.09-PM-1024x648.png\" width=\"737\" height=\"466\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo what does all of this have to do with my Half Birthday?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me, please.  I am Queen of the Tangents.  I know this about myself.  Thank you for your support.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn an attempt to redeem myself from Half Birthday Dorkdom, I will say that I <em>don\'t</em> go big or go home with cake, presents and balloons on my Half Birthday.  I <em>do</em> feel a twinge of Half Birthday giddiness and make a mental note of where I am at in my year, and what I would like to celebrate in the next 6 months.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a Happy Half Birthday to Me, I am requesting a do-over of my Six-Word Memoir!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd I have decided to change/edit/obliterate my halfway depressing Six-Word Memoir.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFrom March 15th 2013 and onward, my NEW and IMPROVED Six-Word Memoir is . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnother drumroll, please . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: x-large; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>So many passions.  PLENTY of time.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  Happy Half Birthday to Me indeed!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to write my E-Course!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to contact literary agents about the three children\'s books and one inspirational book on dating (yes, I did use \"inspirational\" and \"dating\" in the same phrase -- shocking, I know!) that I\'ve previously written but have not consistently submitted to people who can actually....well....<em>publish them</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to dust off the first draft of my screenplay and write a gazillion subsequent drafts.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to haul out my guitar out and take my playing to the next level.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to sing my heart and soul out at Open Mic Nights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to travel the world, including a visit to The Motherland whilst I still have relatives there who walk amongst the living.  Viva Portugal!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to find my dream cottage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time for HIM to find me.  (Although I wish he\'d hurry up and get here already!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to embrace and dive into the passions that I haven\'t even unearthed yet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>What have you placed on your shelf for \"Someday\"?  What one thing are you ready to take off that shelf today?</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust pick one.  Once that one thing is nice and shiny, you can go back to the shelf for the next thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my new life experiment.  Join me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\">Someday is Today.</span> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;','I Have Plenty of Time.  (Oh.  And It\'s My Half Birthday.  Woot.)  ','','inherit','open','open','','12270-revision-4','','','2013-03-14 20:06:34','2013-03-15 03:06:34','',12270,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/14/12270-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(12277,1,'2013-03-14 20:06:43','2013-03-15 03:06:43','I have an announcement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou may have noticed that this blog has hovered around The Year of Play looooonnnnng past 365 days.  I\'ve mentioned before that changes are a-brewin\' behind the scenes of Diary of a Late Bloomer.  It\'s all terribly exciting.  To me, at least.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd now for the announcement.  May I have a drumroll, please?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>I am dreaming up an E-Course.  Woot x 2!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe topic of the E-Course is still very hush-hush, but what I can tell you is that it has FINALLY moved out of dreamer stage and into action stage.  Eternal dreamer that I am, this is a big step.  Woot x 3!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAction Step #1:  The Outline.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a former educator of 16 years, I flip over outlines.  You should have seen my lesson plans back in the day.  Outlined to the hilt.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuring the outline process for my E-Course, I combed through the archives of <strong>The Year of Living Curiously.</strong>  Reminiscing over <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/16/day-109-i-composed-my-six-word-memoir-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>this post</strong> </a>stopped me dead in my tracks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12271\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12271\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-12271\" alt=\"Screen shot 2013-03-13 at 8.53.09 PM\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8.53.09-PM-1024x648.png\" width=\"737\" height=\"466\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo what does all of this have to do with my Half Birthday?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me, please.  I am Queen of the Tangents.  I know this about myself.  Thank you for your support.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn an attempt to redeem myself from Half Birthday Dorkdom, I will say that I <em>don\'t</em> go big or go home with cake, presents and balloons on my Half Birthday.  I <em>do</em> feel a twinge of Half Birthday giddiness and make a mental note of where I am at in my year, and what I would like to celebrate in the next 6 months.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a Happy Half Birthday to Me, I am requesting a do-over of my Six-Word Memoir!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd I have decided to change/edit/obliterate my halfway depressing Six-Word Memoir.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom March 15th 2013 and onward, my NEW and IMPROVED Six-Word Memoir is . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnother drumroll, please . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: x-large; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>So many passions.  PLENTY of time.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  Happy Half Birthday to Me indeed!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to write my E-Course!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to contact literary agents about the three children\'s books and one inspirational book on dating (yes, I did use \"inspirational\" and \"dating\" in the same phrase -- shocking, I know!) that I\'ve previously written but have not consistently submitted to people who can actually....well....<em>publish them</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to dust off the first draft of my screenplay and write a gazillion subsequent drafts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to haul out my guitar out and take my playing to the next level.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to sing my heart and soul out at Open Mic Nights.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to travel the world, including a visit to The Motherland whilst I still have relatives there who walk amongst the living.  Viva Portugal!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to find my dream cottage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time for HIM to find me.  (Although I wish he\'d hurry up and get here already!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to embrace and dive into the passions that I haven\'t even unearthed yet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>What have you placed on your shelf for \"Someday\"?  What one thing are you ready to take off that shelf today?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust pick one.  Once that one thing is nice and shiny, you can go back to the shelf for the next thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is my new life experiment.  Join me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\">Someday is Today.</span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','I Have Plenty of Time.  (Oh.  And It\'s My Half Birthday.  Woot.)  ','','inherit','open','open','','12270-revision-5','','','2013-03-14 20:06:43','2013-03-15 03:06:43','',12270,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/14/12270-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(12279,1,'2013-03-14 20:10:00','2013-03-15 03:10:00','I have an announcement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may have noticed that this blog has hovered around The Year of Play looooonnnnng past 365 days.  I\'ve mentioned before that changes are a-brewin\' behind the scenes of Diary of a Late Bloomer.  It\'s all terribly exciting.  To me, at least.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd now for the announcement.  May I have a drumroll, please?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>I am dreaming up my first E-Course.  Woot x 2!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe topic of the E-Course is still very hush-hush, but what I can tell you is that it has FINALLY moved out of dreamer stage and into action stage.  Eternal dreamer that I am, this is a big step.  Woot x 3!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAction Step #1:  The Outline.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former educator of 16 years, I flip over outlines.  You should have seen my lesson plans back in the day.  Outlined to the hilt.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuring the outline process for my E-Course, I combed through the archives of <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously.</strong></a>  Reminiscing over <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/16/day-109-i-composed-my-six-word-memoir-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>this post</strong> </a>stopped me dead in my tracks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12271\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12271\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-12271\" alt=\"Screen shot 2013-03-13 at 8.53.09 PM\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8.53.09-PM-1024x648.png\" width=\"737\" height=\"466\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo what does all of this have to do with my Half Birthday?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me, please.  I am Queen of the Tangents.  I know this about myself.  Thank you for your support.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn an attempt to redeem myself from Half Birthday Dorkdom, I will say that I <em>don\'t</em> go big or go home with cake, presents and balloons on my Half Birthday.  I <em>do</em> feel a twinge of Half Birthday giddiness and make a mental note of where I am at in my year, and what I would like to celebrate in the next 6 months.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a Happy Half Birthday to Me, I am requesting a do-over of my Six-Word Memoir!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd I have decided to change/edit/obliterate my halfway depressing and self-limiting Six-Word Memoir.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFrom March 15th 2013 and onward, my NEW and IMPROVED Six-Word Memoir is . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnother drumroll, please . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: x-large; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>So many passions.  PLENTY of time.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  Happy Half Birthday to Me indeed!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to write my E-Course!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to contact literary agents about the three children\'s books and one inspirational book on dating (yes, I did use \"inspirational\" and \"dating\" in the same phrase -- shocking, I know!) that I\'ve previously written but have not consistently submitted to people who can actually....well....<em>publish them</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to dust off the first draft of my screenplay and write a gazillion subsequent drafts.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to haul out my guitar out and take my playing to the next level.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to sing my heart and soul out at Open Mic Nights again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to travel the world, including a visit to The Motherland whilst I still have relatives there who walk amongst the living.  Viva Portugal!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to find my dream cottage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time for HIM to find me.  (Although I wish he\'d hurry up and get here already!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to embrace and dive into the passions that I haven\'t even unearthed yet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>What have you placed on your shelf for \"Someday\"?  What one thing are you ready to take off that shelf today?</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust pick one.  Once that one thing is nice and shiny, you can go back to the shelf for the next thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my new life experiment.  Join me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\">Someday is Today.</span> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;','I Have Plenty of Time.  (Oh.  And It\'s My Half Birthday.  Woot.)  ','','inherit','open','open','','12270-revision-7','','','2013-03-14 20:10:00','2013-03-15 03:10:00','',12270,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/14/12270-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(12278,1,'2013-03-14 20:07:15','2013-03-15 03:07:15','I have an announcement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou may have noticed that this blog has hovered around The Year of Play looooonnnnng past 365 days.  I\'ve mentioned before that changes are a-brewin\' behind the scenes of Diary of a Late Bloomer.  It\'s all terribly exciting.  To me, at least.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd now for the announcement.  May I have a drumroll, please?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>I am dreaming up an E-Course.  Woot x 2!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe topic of the E-Course is still very hush-hush, but what I can tell you is that it has FINALLY moved out of dreamer stage and into action stage.  Eternal dreamer that I am, this is a big step.  Woot x 3!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAction Step #1:  The Outline.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a former educator of 16 years, I flip over outlines.  You should have seen my lesson plans back in the day.  Outlined to the hilt.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuring the outline process for my E-Course, I combed through the archives of <strong>The Year of Living Curiously.</strong>  Reminiscing over <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/16/day-109-i-composed-my-six-word-memoir-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>this post</strong> </a>stopped me dead in my tracks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12271\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12271\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-12271\" alt=\"Screen shot 2013-03-13 at 8.53.09 PM\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8.53.09-PM-1024x648.png\" width=\"737\" height=\"466\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo what does all of this have to do with my Half Birthday?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me, please.  I am Queen of the Tangents.  I know this about myself.  Thank you for your support.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn an attempt to redeem myself from Half Birthday Dorkdom, I will say that I <em>don\'t</em> go big or go home with cake, presents and balloons on my Half Birthday.  I <em>do</em> feel a twinge of Half Birthday giddiness and make a mental note of where I am at in my year, and what I would like to celebrate in the next 6 months.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a Happy Half Birthday to Me, I am requesting a do-over of my Six-Word Memoir!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd I have decided to change/edit/obliterate my halfway depressing Six-Word Memoir.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom March 15th 2013 and onward, my NEW and IMPROVED Six-Word Memoir is . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnother drumroll, please . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: x-large; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>So many passions.  PLENTY of time.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  Happy Half Birthday to Me indeed!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to write my E-Course!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to contact literary agents about the three children\'s books and one inspirational book on dating (yes, I did use \"inspirational\" and \"dating\" in the same phrase -- shocking, I know!) that I\'ve previously written but have not consistently submitted to people who can actually....well....<em>publish them</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to dust off the first draft of my screenplay and write a gazillion subsequent drafts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to haul out my guitar out and take my playing to the next level.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to sing my heart and soul out at Open Mic Nights again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to travel the world, including a visit to The Motherland whilst I still have relatives there who walk amongst the living.  Viva Portugal!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to find my dream cottage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time for HIM to find me.  (Although I wish he\'d hurry up and get here already!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time to embrace and dive into the passions that I haven\'t even unearthed yet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have PLENTY of time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>What have you placed on your shelf for \"Someday\"?  What one thing are you ready to take off that shelf today?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust pick one.  Once that one thing is nice and shiny, you can go back to the shelf for the next thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is my new life experiment.  Join me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\">Someday is Today.</span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','I Have Plenty of Time.  (Oh.  And It\'s My Half Birthday.  Woot.)  ','','inherit','open','open','','12270-revision-6','','','2013-03-14 20:07:15','2013-03-15 03:07:15','',12270,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/14/12270-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(12280,1,'2013-03-14 20:11:00','2013-03-15 03:11:00','I have an announcement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may have noticed that this blog has hovered around The Year of Play looooonnnnng past 365 days. I\'ve mentioned before that changes are a-brewin\' behind the scenes of Diary of a Late Bloomer.  It\'s all terribly exciting.  To me, at least.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd now for the announcement.  May I have a drumroll, please?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>I am dreaming up my first E-Course.  Woot x 2!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe topic of the E-Course is still very hush-hush, but what I can tell you is that it has FINALLY moved out of dreamer stage and into action stage.  Eternal dreamer that I am, this is a big step.  Woot x 3!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAction Step #1:  The Outline.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former educator of 16 years, I flip over outlines.  You should have seen my lesson plans back in the day.  Outlined to the hilt.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuring the outline process for my E-Course, I combed through the archives of <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously.</strong></a>  Reminiscing over <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/16/day-109-i-composed-my-six-word-memoir-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>this post</strong> </a>stopped me dead in my tracks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12271\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12271\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-12271\" alt=\"Screen shot 2013-03-13 at 8.53.09 PM\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-shot-2013-03-13-at-8.53.09-PM-1024x648.png\" width=\"737\" height=\"466\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo what does all of this have to do with my Half Birthday?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me, please.  I am Queen of the Tangents.  I know this about myself.  Thank you for your support.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn an attempt to redeem myself from Half Birthday Dorkdom, I will say that I <em>don\'t</em> go big or go home with cake, presents and balloons on my Half Birthday.  I <em>do</em> feel a twinge of Half Birthday giddiness and make a mental note of where I am at in my year, and what I would like to celebrate in the next 6 months.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a Happy Half Birthday to Me, I am requesting a do-over of my Six-Word Memoir!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd I have decided to change/edit/obliterate my halfway depressing and self-limiting Six-Word Memoir.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFrom March 15th 2013 and onward, my NEW and IMPROVED Six-Word Memoir is . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnother drumroll, please . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: x-large; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>So many passions.  PLENTY of time.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  Happy Half Birthday to Me indeed!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to write my E-Course!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to contact literary agents about the three children\'s books and one inspirational book on dating (yes, I did use \"inspirational\" and \"dating\" in the same phrase -- shocking, I know!) that I\'ve previously written but have not consistently submitted to people who can actually....well....<em>publish them</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to dust off the first draft of my screenplay and write a gazillion subsequent drafts.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to haul out my guitar out and take my playing to the next level.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to sing my heart and soul out at Open Mic Nights again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to travel the world, including a visit to The Motherland whilst I still have relatives there who walk amongst the living.  Viva Portugal!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to find my dream cottage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time for HIM to find me.  (Although I wish he\'d hurry up and get here already!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time to embrace and dive into the passions that I haven\'t even unearthed yet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have PLENTY of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\"><strong>What have you placed on your shelf for \"Someday\"?  What one thing are you ready to take off that shelf today?</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust pick one.  Once that one thing is nice and shiny, you can go back to the shelf for the next thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my new life experiment.  Join me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #00ccff;\">Someday is Today.</span> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;','I Have Plenty of Time.  (Oh.  And It\'s My Half Birthday.  Woot.)  ','','inherit','open','open','','12270-revision-8','','','2013-03-14 20:11:00','2013-03-15 03:11:00','',12270,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/03/14/12270-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0);
