maybe this one is Do You Want to Play?

Briefly describe Blogcation

Then in a few days, greetings from my blogcation, explain postcards, and remind of guest blog playdates.  Also, Bella in February.

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Hello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?

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As you may or may not have noticed, I haven't posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!

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I decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!

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Here's the scoop:

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As I mentioned in the <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Zumbalicious post,</strong> </a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.

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What are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.

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All I can reveal to you now is, "Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I'm also a fan of corniness.  (I was raised by a father from Kansas.  I can't help myself.)

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Do I have a date for The Big Reveal?

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Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I'm as behind in my New Year's Resolutions as you are.  ☺

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But I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.

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In the meantime, let's continue celebrating <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/" target="_blank">The Year of Play.</a>  </strong>

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As we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>...evolve through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness.  Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.

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Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your "spark" has gone?

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Well then it's time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that's easy peasy.  You can do it!  And I will have a gold star and smiley face waiting for you to prove it!  (I was a teacher for 16 years.  I can't help myself.)

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Here's your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:

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I could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to get out your journal, your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .

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Which is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:

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1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.

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What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Listening and heart pitter-pattering to Shawn Cassidy while jumping on the sofa?  (I just <del>aged</del> evolved myself, but it's all good.)

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2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.  I don't care if it's old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.

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3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.  That's right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It's a date.

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4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.  Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!

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5.  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.

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<strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY!</strong>

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But, Michelle.  Hoola hooping?  I don't have one anymore!

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Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.

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pic of me with hoola hoop.  credit melody and pinterest.

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But, Michelle.  Shawn Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player.

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Oh, the glories of YouTube!  <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHSADyRR8x8" target="_blank">Da doo ron ron ron, da do ron ron!  </a>  insert vid instead</strong>

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But, Michelle.  I work 2,654 hours per week.  Who has time for play?!?!

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Bopping and singing along to Da Do Ron Ron will take you 2 minutes and 43 seconds.  How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?  insert statistic chart?

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But, Michelle.  My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!

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Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you're as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend's sofa <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/" target="_blank">here.  </a></strong>

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