<h4><span style="color: #008000;"> </span></h4>
<h4><span style="color: #008000;">Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?</span></h4>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="http://www.yourdictionary.com/late-bloomer" target="_blank"><strong>Late Bloomer</strong>:</a> a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Late Bloomer Blogger:</strong></a> 1:   a woman in the throes of an existential crisis (more commonly referred to as mid-life crisis) who aspires to fulfill lifelong dreams while growing, thriving, and (hopefully) inspiring others along the way.  2:  She's creating her own damn fairy tale.  Fellow late bloomers and late bloomer wannabees are encouraged to join her crusade.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/" target="_blank"><strong>The Year of Living Curiously (aka 365 or Bust):</strong> </a>1.  replaces Xanax in the event of an existential/mid-life crisis  2.  an insane 365 day project where our fearless and frazzled heroine breaks free of a gargantuan rut by trying one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/ or soul-stirring thing each day</p>

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<a href="http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-191" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 20px;" title="Final B&amp;W1977test2" src="http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Final-BW1977test2-130x300.jpg" alt="" width="130" height="300" /></a>Hi.  I'm Michelle.  Welcome to my blog.  It's a pleasure to meet you.  I hope that you sit and stay awhile.

If we were meeting in real life, I would serve you one of my famous almond milk lattes made with 2 shots of Illy espresso and a hint of agave syrup.  (I promise you that it's delicious.  I've converted many of my Starbucksaholics friends.)

Yet you are at your computer, and I'm probably at mine, so that leaves us to a virtual getting-to-know-you.  Please reach out to me through comments on my posts or <a href="http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/" target="_blank">Talk to Me.</a> If you're feeling super fiesty and creative, <a href="http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/" target="_blank">submit an idea for my 365 project</a>.  I have 365 slots to fill, and I only have 175 ideas at the moment.  Bring it on!
<h2 style="clear: left;">Quirky Facts...</h2>
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<div>I am not a home improvement guru, but I played one on TV.  I scored a spot on the show <em><a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/" target="_blank"><strong>Trading Spaces</strong></a>. </em>Yes, I love my room (designed by Genevieve), and yes, Carter is a hottie.</div></li>
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<div>I lived in a haunted house in New York.</div></li>
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<div>If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as a prima ballerina.  Or a dolphin.</div></li>
	<li>
<div>I need a lullaby and/or a bedtime story before bed.</div></li>
	<li>
<div>While we're on the topic of sleep issues, I am addicted to a homeopathic sleep remedy called Moon Drops.  Look for it at your local Whole Foods.</div></li>
	<li>
<div>I reside in the Dating Desert.  A few years ago, we were dubbed "The Worst Place to Find Love" by the media.</div></li>
	<li>
<div>Deserts also contain Oases, and I therefore believe in True Love.   Which makes me...</div></li>
	<li>
<div>...Charlotte with a sprinkling of Carrie.</div></li>
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<div>I am 50% Portuguese.  In my family, this is also referred to as a PPW (Powerful Portuguese Woman).  My family rivals the family in <em>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</em>.</div></li>
	<li>
<div>At one point or another, I have dreamed of being a figure skater, a ballerina, an actress, a singer, a writer, a Shakespearean scholar, a teacher, a <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/" target="_blank"><strong><em>Masterpiece Theatre</em></strong> </a>director, and an entrepreneur.</div></li>
	<li>
<div>I have worked as an actress, singer, teacher, entrepreneur, and unfortunately during one horrid summer in college, a clown.</div></li>
	<li>
<div>Fairly recently, I left the field of education and sold my soul to Corporate America.  Before you feel too sorry for me, our corporate culture is pretty stellar, I'm still making a difference in the lives of children (but this time with appropriate compensation), and my work peeps are second to none.  Sometimes I wonder if I'm having too much fun at work.  Take THAT, Google!</div></li>
	<li>
<div>My latest fantasy involves chucking my day job and enlisting in <a href="http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/whale-wars/" target="_blank"><strong><em>Whale Wars</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> This would be a big step for me, as I am very attached to my hair and make-up products.</div></li>
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<h2>What Floats My Boat...</h2>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">guitar...singing...dogs...the arts...yoga...writing...friends &amp; fam...education...fitness...the ocean...sunny skies...good food...lifelong learning...espresso...mountain views...hope</p>
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