INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (5773,1,'2011-05-26 21:30:39','2011-05-27 04:30:39','[caption id=\"attachment_5768\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Pizza &quot;brutta&quot; -- ugly.  Don&#39;t judge a pizza by its cover.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5250015.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5768\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5250015-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNo, I\'m not talking about painting a picture of a pizza.  I\'m talking about using pizza dough as your canvas.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, I didn\'t come up with this lusciously brilliant idea, I borrowed it from Lisa Dahl\'s <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life </a></strong>cookbook for my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLisa calls these mini creations \"pizettes\".  That has to be the cutest name for food that I have ever heard.  I now want to consume pizettes on a regular basis just for the sheer whimsy of it all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThey are also super easy to make, and if you use whole wheat flour and lots of veggies like I did, they can also be downright healthy.  (I desperately needed fiber after this week\'s overemphasis on white bread, cream, and butter!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5769\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The dough rises well even with the whole wheat flour.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5250014.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5769 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5250014-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Recipe: </strong></span> Fig-Eggplant Pizette\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Outcome:</strong></span> Too good to share.  I took the leftovers in to work for lunch and did manage to save a wee bit for my sis who arrives in town today!  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Reviews: </strong></span>6-stars (includes a bonus star for healthiness)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Late Bloomer\'s Culinary Tip du Jour:</strong></span> Whole Wheat Flour is your friend.  You can substitute it for the white flour (but not the semolina flour) in the original recipe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5770\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Mangia, peeps!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5250016.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5770\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5250016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 241:  Pizza Painting','','inherit','open','open','','5755-revision-6','','','2011-05-26 21:30:39','2011-05-27 04:30:39','',5755,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/26/5755-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5774,1,'2011-05-28 09:49:27','2011-05-28 16:49:27','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Next time, I\'ll make mine look like this.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-372','','','2011-05-28 09:49:27','2011-05-28 16:49:27','',5758,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5775,1,'2011-05-28 09:53:05','2011-05-28 16:53:05','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','My version','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-373','','','2011-05-28 09:53:05','2011-05-28 16:53:05','',5758,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260017.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5776,1,'2011-05-28 09:56:04','2011-05-28 16:56:04','<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong> </strong></span>\n\n<strong>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5774\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Next time, I&#39;ll make mine look like this.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260018.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5774\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260018-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nRecipe: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gnocchi Con Funghi e Tartufi from <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life </a></em></strong>cookbook.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Outcome: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Priceless</span></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Reviews: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kim C.  -- Who needs a man when you have this?</span></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Me -- I disagree.  I would like a man, and I would like for him to feed me this.  Followed by grapes for dessert.</span></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Another disclaimer:</strong></span> Don\'t feed to a heart patient.\n</span></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Late Bloomer\'s Tip du Jour: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you can\'t eat blue cheeses like me (headaches!), you can safely substitute feta. </span></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And this, ladies and token gents, concludes the <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>.  The Grand Finale will take place in enchanting Sedona, Arizona, where my sister and I will dine at Lisa Dahl\'s Cucina Rustica.</span></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></span>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5775\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My version\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260017.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5775\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260017-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 242:  You Don\'t Need a Man.  You Need This Cream Sauce.  ','','inherit','open','open','','5758-revision-3','','','2011-05-28 09:56:04','2011-05-28 16:56:04','',5758,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/28/5758-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5777,1,'2011-05-28 09:56:57','2011-05-28 16:56:57','<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5774\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Next time, I&#39;ll make mine look like this.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260018.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5774\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260018-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nRecipe: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gnocchi Con Funghi e Tartufi from <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life </a></em></strong>cookbook.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Outcome: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Priceless</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Reviews: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kim C.  -- Who needs a man when you have this?</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Me -- I disagree.  I would like a man, and I would like for him to feed me this.  Followed by grapes for dessert.</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Another disclaimer:</strong></span> Don\'t feed to a heart patient.\r\n</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Late Bloomer\'s Tip du Jour: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you can\'t eat blue cheeses like me (headaches!), you can safely substitute feta. </span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And this, ladies and token gents, concludes the <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>.  The Grand Finale will take place in enchanting Sedona, Arizona, where my sister and I will dine at Lisa Dahl\'s <strong><a href=\"http://www.cucinarustica.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cucina Rustica</a></strong>.</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5775\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My version\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260017.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5775\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260017-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 242:  You Don\'t Need a Man.  You Need This Cream Sauce.  ','','inherit','open','open','','5758-revision-4','','','2011-05-28 09:56:57','2011-05-28 16:56:57','',5758,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/28/5758-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5778,1,'2011-05-28 09:57:59','2011-05-28 16:57:59','<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5774\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Next time, I&#39;ll make mine look like this.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260018.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5774\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260018-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Recipe: </strong></span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gnocchi Con Funghi e Tartufi from <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life </a></em></strong>cookbook.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Outcome: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Priceless</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Reviews: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kim C.  -- Who needs a man when you have this?</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Me -- I disagree.  I would like a man, and I would like for him to feed me this.  Followed by grapes for dessert.</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Another disclaimer:</strong></span> Don\'t feed to a heart patient.\r\n</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Late Bloomer\'s Tip du Jour: </strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you can\'t eat blue cheeses like me (headaches!), you can safely substitute feta. </span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And this, ladies and token gents, concludes the <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>.  The Grand Finale will take place in enchanting Sedona, Arizona, where my sister and I will dine at Lisa Dahl\'s <strong><a href=\"http://www.cucinarustica.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cucina Rustica</a></strong>.</span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5775\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My version\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260017.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5775\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5260017-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 242:  You Don\'t Need a Man.  You Need This Cream Sauce.  ','','inherit','open','open','','5758-revision-5','','','2011-05-28 09:57:59','2011-05-28 16:57:59','',5758,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/28/5758-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5780,1,'2011-05-30 12:10:15','2011-05-30 19:10:15','Jennie:  Iced Mocha and Goat cheese and tomato puffed pastry tart\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle:  Iced Mocha and brown butter scone and a citrus salad','Day 243:  Carmel Coffee','','inherit','open','open','','5779-revision','','','2011-05-30 12:10:15','2011-05-30 19:10:15','',5779,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/30/5779-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5781,1,'2011-06-02 01:11:58','2011-06-02 08:11:58','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at <strong><a href=\"http://www.cucinarustica.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cucina Rustica</a></strong> which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcomed us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, my, my, my.  Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of <em>The Elixir of Life</em> and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to sputter, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','publish','open','open','','day-244-lusty-cooking-project-grand-finale','','http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/','2011-06-01 20:54:22','2011-06-02 03:54:22','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=5781',0,'post','',5),(5782,1,'2011-05-30 12:17:06','2011-05-30 19:17:06','Rock springs -- we shared the chicken and biscuits.  fresh veggies??\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie:  OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeach pie a la mode\n\ncherry pie Jennie:  OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCucina Rustica:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nglass of wine:  OMG.  this is the most amazing wine.\n\n<strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY 10.00</strong>\n\nMe:  ditto\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie:  <strong>ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA ~ 24</strong>\nLinguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce<strong>ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA ~ 24</strong>\nLinguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\nYummmmmmm\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle:  penne don quixote\n\n&nbsp;\n\nfamily ice cream.  dippin dots tech?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nmeet lisa dah\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>PENNE DON QUIXOTE ~19</strong>\nGrilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta','Day 244:  Rock Springs Pie and Cucina Rustica','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision','','','2011-05-30 12:17:06','2011-05-30 19:17:06','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/30/5781-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5783,1,'2011-06-03 01:11:14','2011-06-03 08:11:14','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDay 3 of Wine and Dine 2011 consisted of a 3 course meal spread throughout the day this past Sunday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course One:  Lattes and Butternut Squash Scone at <a href=\"http://www.lolacoffeebar.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Lola Coffee</a>.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5824\" title=\"IMG00418-20110529-1142\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I both agreed that the coffee was dy-no-mite.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs for the scone...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> I prefer my scones like my men.  Sweet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(My bro-in-law is indeed a great guy.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> Not a fan of caraway.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie cont.:</span></strong> Is this rye bread or a scone?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course Two:  Sandwiches at <a href=\"http://www.tmialehouse.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Main Ingredient</a></span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5825\" title=\"IMG00420-20110529-1437\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>What I ordered:</strong></span> Cash Money….house-made cashew butter, Red Pepper-Cabernet Jelly, &amp; banana on sourdough\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>My Review: </strong></span> This is an adult\'s PB &amp; J.  Except that it\'s CB &amp; J.  And it\'s extraordinary.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don\'t know what my sister ordered because I could not hear her over the Beastie Boys blaring in the background.  (Sweet bro-in-law would have been in heaven.  Because he loves the Beastie Boys.  Not because he doesn\'t want to listen to my sister.  Although I am sure that there are times...)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Course Three:  Sundae Dinner at<a href=\"http://pinkspotcoffeeandicecream.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Pink Spot</a></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>\r\n</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5826\" title=\"IMG00422-20110529-1707\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is my kind of Sunday/Sundae Dinner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Bonus Course Later That Evening:</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5827\" title=\"IMG00424-20110529-2005\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 245:  CB & J (This is not your mother\'s PB & J), Etc.','','publish','open','open','','day-245-cb-j-this-is-not-your-mothers-pb-j-etc','','','2011-06-02 19:12:20','2011-06-03 02:12:20','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=5783',0,'post','',2),(5784,1,'2011-05-30 12:18:23','2011-05-30 19:18:23','butternut squash scone.  I prefer my scones like my men.  sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\ncaraway.  bleck  salty.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 245:  downtown phx house window shop and main ingredient and lola','','inherit','open','open','','5783-revision','','','2011-05-30 12:18:23','2011-05-30 19:18:23','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/30/5783-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5785,1,'2011-05-30 12:19:17','2011-05-30 19:19:17','butternut squash scone.  I prefer my scones like my men.  sweet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\ncaraway.  bleck  salty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nme:  grown up pbj\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nbeastie boys\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nguest quarters -- jennie excited.  liked the garages','Day 245:  downtown phx house window shop and main ingredient and lola','','inherit','open','open','','5783-revision-2','','','2011-05-30 12:19:17','2011-05-30 19:19:17','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/30/5783-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5946,1,'2011-06-14 01:11:04','2011-06-14 08:11:04','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs wonderful as it is to travel, there is truly no place like home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs glorious as it was to take in the sights of a city brand new to me, nothing beat this sight.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5050012.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5982\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5050012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nApparently, someone was busy updating her<strong><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> facebook page</a></strong> while I was away.','Day 255:  Home Sweet Home','','publish','open','open','','day-255-home-sweet-home','','','2011-06-13 15:25:33','2011-06-13 22:25:33','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=5946',0,'post','',4),(5787,1,'2011-05-30 18:25:50','2011-05-31 01:25:50','','IMG00408-20110527-1338','','inherit','open','open','','img00408-20110527-1338','','','2011-05-30 18:25:50','2011-05-31 01:25:50','',5779,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG00408-20110527-1338.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5788,1,'2011-05-30 18:25:25','2011-05-31 01:25:25','My sister and I started a tradition years ago where she comes out for a Sister Visit over the Memorial Day weekend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple years in, after realizing that we eat and drink our way through the weekend, we changed the weekend\'s name to the Wine and Dine Tour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter picking Sis up from the airport at lunchtime, we headed to our fist top on the Wine and Dine 2011 Tour:  Carmel Coffee.  Rumor has it that local chefs stop by this place for their morning coffee and a pastry.  With that insider info, you know it has to be stellar.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff99cc;\">Jennie\'s Choice:</span></strong> Iced Mocha and Goat Cheese and Tomato Puffed Pastry Tart\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> The presentation of the mocha added to its delightfulness.  The tart was really good,  but I wish it was warm.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Michelle\'s Choice:</span> Iced Soy Mocha and Brown Butter Scone and a Citrus Salad\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> The scones are like butter.  Literally.  (What is brown butter, anyway?  Who cares!  It\'s delish!)  LOVE the mismatched china.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe\'re off to a good start.  Let the feasting begin!','Day 243:  Wine and Dine 2011 Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','5779-revision-2','','','2011-05-30 18:25:25','2011-05-31 01:25:25','',5779,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/30/5779-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5789,1,'2011-05-31 10:33:40','2011-05-31 17:33:40','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG00408-20110527-1338.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5787\" title=\"IMG00408-20110527-1338\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG00408-20110527-1338-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>My sister and I started a tradition years ago where she comes out for a Sister Visit over the Memorial Day weekend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple years in, after realizing that we eat and drink our way through the weekend, we changed the weekend\'s name to the Wine and Dine Tour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter picking Sis up from the airport at lunchtime, we headed to our fist top on the Wine and Dine 2011 Tour:  Carmel Coffee.  Rumor has it that local chefs stop by this place for their morning coffee and a pastry.  With that insider info, you know it has to be stellar.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff99cc;\">Jennie\'s Choice:</span></strong> Iced Mocha and Goat Cheese and Tomato Puffed Pastry Tart\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> The presentation of the mocha added to its delightfulness.  The tart was really good,  but I wish it was warm.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Michelle\'s Choice:</span></strong> Iced Soy Mocha and Brown Butter Scone and a Citrus Salad\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> The scones are like butter.  Literally.  (What is brown butter, anyway?  Who cares!  It\'s delish!)  LOVE the mismatched china.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe\'re off to a good start.  Let the feasting begin!','Day 243:  Wine and Dine 2011 Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','5779-revision-3','','','2011-05-31 10:33:40','2011-05-31 17:33:40','',5779,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/5779-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5790,1,'2011-05-31 10:35:22','2011-05-31 17:35:22','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG00408-20110527-1338.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5787\" title=\"IMG00408-20110527-1338\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG00408-20110527-1338-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>My sister and I started a tradition years ago where she comes out for a Sister Visit over the Memorial Day weekend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple years in, after realizing that we eat and drink our way through the weekend, we changed the weekend\'s name to the Wine and Dine Tour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter picking Sis up from the airport at lunchtime, we headed to our fist top on the Wine and Dine 2011 Tour:  <a href=\"http://carmelscoffee.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Carmel Coffee.</strong></a> Rumor has it that local chefs stop by this place for their morning coffee and a pastry.  With that insider info, you know it has to be stellar.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff99cc;\">Jennie\'s Choice:</span></strong> Iced Mocha and Goat Cheese and Tomato Puffed Pastry Tart\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> The presentation of the mocha added to its delightfulness.  The tart was really good,  but I wish it was warm.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Michelle\'s Choice:</span></strong> Iced Soy Mocha and Brown Butter Scone and a Citrus Salad\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> The scones are like butter.  Literally.  (What is brown butter, anyway?  Who cares!  It\'s delish!)  LOVE the mismatched china.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe\'re off to a good start.  Let the feasting begin!','Day 243:  Wine and Dine 2011 Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','5779-revision-4','','','2011-05-31 10:35:22','2011-05-31 17:35:22','',5779,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/5779-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5791,1,'2011-05-31 10:37:04','2011-05-31 17:37:04','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG00408-20110527-1338.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5787\" title=\"IMG00408-20110527-1338\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG00408-20110527-1338-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>My sister and I started a tradition years ago where she comes out for a Sister Visit over the Memorial Day weekend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple years in, after realizing that we eat and drink our way through the weekend, we changed the weekend\'s name to the Wine and Dine Tour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter picking Sis up from the airport at lunchtime, we headed to our fist top on the Wine and Dine 2011 Tour:  <a href=\"http://carmelscoffee.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Carmel Coffee.</strong></a> Rumor has it that local chefs stop by this place for their morning coffee and a pastry.  With that insider info, you know it has to be stellar.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff99cc;\">Jennie\'s Choice:</span></strong> Iced Mocha and Goat Cheese and Tomato Puffed Pastry Tart\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> The presentation of the mocha added to its delightfulness.  The tart was really good,  but I wish it was warm.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Michelle\'s Choice:</span></strong> Iced Soy Mocha and Brown Butter Scone and a Citrus Salad\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> The scones are like butter.  Literally.  (What is brown butter, anyway?  Who cares!  It\'s delish!)  LOVE the mismatched china.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe\'re off to a good start.  Let the feasting begin!','Day 243:  Wine and Dine 2011 Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','5779-autosave','','','2011-05-31 10:37:04','2011-05-31 17:37:04','',5779,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/5779-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5792,1,'2011-05-31 14:03:42','2011-05-31 21:03:42','I met the author of The Elixir of Life cookbook!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.   Sinc\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRock springs -- we shared the chicken and biscuits.  fresh veggies??\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie:  OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeach pie a la mode\n\ncherry pie Jennie:  OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCucina Rustica:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nglass of wine:  OMG.  this is the most amazing wine.\n\n<strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY 10.00</strong>\n\nMe:  ditto\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie:  <strong>ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA ~ 24</strong>\nLinguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce<strong>ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA ~ 24</strong>\nLinguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\nYummmmmmm\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle:  penne don quixote\n\n&nbsp;\n\nfamily ice cream.  dippin dots tech?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nmeet lisa dahl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>PENNE DON QUIXOTE ~19</strong>\nGrilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-2','','','2011-05-31 14:03:42','2011-05-31 21:03:42','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/5781-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5793,1,'2011-05-31 14:27:28','2011-05-31 21:27:28','I met the author of The Elixir of Life cookbook!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the Rock Springs Cafe about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of them, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this trip, we needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish downright healthy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie\'s Review:  OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle\'s Review:  I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I insisted that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:  OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle\'s Peach Pie Review:  Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Se\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCucina Rustica:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nglass of wine:  OMG.  this is the most amazing wine.\n\n<strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY 10.00</strong>\n\nMe:  ditto\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie:  <strong>ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA ~ 24</strong>\nLinguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce<strong>ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA ~ 24</strong>\nLinguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\nYummmmmmm\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle:  penne don quixote\n\n&nbsp;\n\nfamily ice cream.  dippin dots tech?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nmeet lisa dahl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>PENNE DON QUIXOTE ~19</strong>\nGrilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-3','','','2011-05-31 14:27:28','2011-05-31 21:27:28','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/5781-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5794,1,'2011-05-31 20:58:38','2011-06-01 03:58:38','I met the author of <strong><em>The Elixir of Life</em></strong> cookbook!  The inspiration for <strong>The Lusty Cooking Project</strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the Rock Springs Cafe about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of them, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this trip, we needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish downright healthy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie\'s Review:  OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle\'s Review:  I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I insisted that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong>The Wine and Dine Tour</strong> is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn\'t take pictures.  Darn it.  I didn\'t want to seem like a tacky tourist.  But you can find photos highlighting the restaurant\'s ambiance at their <strong>website</strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur server arrived at our table and announced, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You can tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie\'s Review of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally amazing!)\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\nMichelle\'s Review:  If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'m going to be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie:  <strong>ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA ~ 24</strong>\nLinguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce<strong>ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA ~ 24</strong>\nLinguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\nYummmmmmm\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle:  penne don quixote\n\n&nbsp;\n\nfamily ice cream.  dippin dots tech?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nmeet lisa dahl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>PENNE DON QUIXOTE ~19</strong>\nGrilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-4','','','2011-05-31 20:58:38','2011-06-01 03:58:38','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/5781-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5795,1,'2011-06-01 19:14:38','2011-06-02 02:14:38','I met the author of <strong><em>The Elixir of Life</em></strong> cookbook!  The inspiration for <strong>The Lusty Cooking Project</strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the Rock Springs Cafe about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of them, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this trip, we needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish downright healthy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie\'s Review:  OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle\'s Review:  I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I insisted that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong>The Wine and Dine Tour</strong> is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn\'t take pictures.  Darn it.  I didn\'t want to seem like a tacky tourist.  But you can find photos highlighting the restaurant\'s ambiance at their <strong>website</strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur server arrived at our table and announced, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You can tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie\'s Review of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\nMichelle\'s Review:  If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'m going to be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie\'s Meal:  <strong>ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\nJennie\'s Review:  Yummmmmmm...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle\'s Meal:  <strong>PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\n\nMichelle\'s Review:  I feel downright quixotic.  But then again, don\'t I always?  <em>Sigh...</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then stood up and broke out into \"The Impossible Dream\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust kidding.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDessert:  Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie:  Interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMe:  I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJennie:  No.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMe:  I swear.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCourtesy of my sister.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTough love pays.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whisked around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike Julie &amp; Julia, where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little to starstruck and nervous to properly digest all of her ideas.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I am working out and stepping it up like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that it was more than worth it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope that you enjoyed The Lusty Cooking Project as much as I did.  If you\'re ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life,\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-5','','','2011-06-01 19:14:38','2011-06-02 02:14:38','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5796,1,'2011-06-01 19:28:17','2011-06-02 02:28:17','butternut squash scone.  I prefer my scones like my men.  sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\ncaraway.  bleck  salty.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nme:  grown up pbj\n\n&nbsp;\n\nbeastie boys\n\n&nbsp;\n\nguest quarters -- jennie excited.  liked the garages','Day 245:  CB & J (This is not your mother\'s PB & J)','','inherit','open','open','','5783-revision-3','','','2011-06-01 19:28:17','2011-06-02 02:28:17','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5783-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5797,1,'2011-06-01 20:19:02','2011-06-02 03:19:02','','IMG00412-20110528-1314','The Goldilocks of Pies','inherit','open','open','','img00412-20110528-1314','','','2011-06-01 20:19:02','2011-06-02 03:19:02','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5798,1,'2011-06-01 20:20:21','2011-06-02 03:20:21','','IMG00414-20110528-1925','I think it was called \"Semifreddo\"','inherit','open','open','','img00414-20110528-1925','','','2011-06-01 20:20:21','2011-06-02 03:20:21','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5799,1,'2011-06-01 20:21:05','2011-06-02 03:21:05','I met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust kidding.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCourtesy of my sister.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTough love pays.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-6','','','2011-06-01 20:21:05','2011-06-02 03:21:05','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5800,1,'2011-06-01 20:21:56','2011-06-02 03:21:56','I met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nphoto\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-7','','','2011-06-01 20:21:56','2011-06-02 03:21:56','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5801,1,'2011-06-01 20:23:52','2011-06-02 03:23:52','','IMG00411-20110528-1255','Did the menu say fresh veggies???','inherit','open','open','','img00411-20110528-1255','','','2011-06-01 20:23:52','2011-06-02 03:23:52','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5802,1,'2011-06-01 20:25:07','2011-06-02 03:25:07','I met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust kidding.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCourtesy of my sister.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTough love pays.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-8','','','2011-06-01 20:25:07','2011-06-02 03:25:07','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5804,1,'2011-06-01 20:41:37','2011-06-02 03:41:37','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Michelle & Lisa','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-374','','','2011-06-01 20:41:37','2011-06-02 03:41:37','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5803,1,'2011-06-01 20:25:16','2011-06-02 03:25:16','I met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-9','','','2011-06-01 20:25:16','2011-06-02 03:25:16','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5805,1,'2011-06-01 20:42:11','2011-06-02 03:42:11','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust kidding.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCourtesy of my sister.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTough love pays.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-10','','','2011-06-01 20:42:11','2011-06-02 03:42:11','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(5808,1,'2011-06-01 20:45:02','2011-06-02 03:45:02','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust kidding.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCourtesy of my sister.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTough love pays.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-13','','','2011-06-01 20:45:02','2011-06-02 03:45:02','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(5806,1,'2011-06-01 20:42:14','2011-06-02 03:42:14','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-11','','','2011-06-01 20:42:14','2011-06-02 03:42:14','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(5807,1,'2011-06-01 20:42:23','2011-06-02 03:42:23','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-12','','','2011-06-01 20:42:23','2011-06-02 03:42:23','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(5811,1,'2011-06-01 20:55:27','2011-06-02 03:55:27','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at <strong><a href=\"http://www.cucinarustica.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cucina Rustica</a></strong> which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur server welcomed us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, my, my, my.  Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJust kidding.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of <em>The Elixir of Life</em> and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCourtesy of my sister.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTough love pays.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to sputter, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-autosave','','','2011-06-01 20:55:27','2011-06-02 03:55:27','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5809,1,'2011-06-01 20:48:10','2011-06-02 03:48:10','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-14','','','2011-06-01 20:48:10','2011-06-02 03:48:10','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(5810,1,'2011-06-01 20:48:44','2011-06-02 03:48:44','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.  Don\'t I always wax quixotic?  <em>Sigh...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-15','','','2011-06-01 20:48:44','2011-06-02 03:48:44','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(5812,1,'2011-06-01 20:49:55','2011-06-02 03:49:55','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at Cucina Rustica which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"  Oh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of The Elixir of Life and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to inquire, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-16','','','2011-06-01 20:49:55','2011-06-02 03:49:55','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(5813,1,'2011-06-01 20:52:35','2011-06-02 03:52:35','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at <strong><a href=\"http://www.cucinarustica.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cucina Rustica</a></strong> which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcome us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of <em>The Elixir of Life</em> and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to sputter, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-17','','','2011-06-01 20:52:35','2011-06-02 03:52:35','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(5814,1,'2011-06-01 20:53:39','2011-06-02 03:53:39','[caption id=\"attachment_5804\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Michelle &amp; Lisa\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5804\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P5280010-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, author of <strong><em><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong> cookbook, and the inspiration behind <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>!  She is Fab-u-lous.  Details to follow later in this post...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I almost didn\'t make it to Sedona for the Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAbout an hour into our drive up north, a highway sign alerted us to a road closure ahead.  I pulled over for a pit stop and called the <strong><a href=\"http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rock Springs Cafe</a></strong> about 10 miles ahead.  They confirmed that the accident was north of the cafe, and they relayed to me that the highway would reopen in about an hour and a half.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n10 miles and 45 minutes of gridlock later (bad, but it could have been so much worse), we arrived at Rock Springs, famous for their pies.  I have always wanted to stop and indulge, but I\'m either in a rush to get up to Sedona or Flagstaff, or in a rush to return home.  For this particular trip, Sis and I needed a place to sit and stay awhile.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter combing through the menu, Jennie and I decided to share the Chicken and Biscuits with fresh veggies.  I\'m a sucker for homemade southern biscuits.  And the fresh veggies would make this dish healthy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5801\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Did the menu say fresh veggies???\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5801\" title=\"IMG00411-20110528-1255\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00411-20110528-1255-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that the veggies were hidden in an ocean of cream gravy.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> OMG.  This is like the most amazing pot pie in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I\'ve never met a biscuit that I didn\'t like.  Where\'s the <del>beef</del> veggies???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs if the biscuits didn\'t contain enough lard, I suggested that we have pie for dessert.  The highway wasn\'t cleared yet, and I believe that you cannot leave the premises of a place famous for pie without partaking.  I\'m such a rule follower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Cherry Pie Review:</strong></span> OMG.  This is the most amazing cherry pie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Peach Pie Review:</strong></span> Not too sweet.  Just right.  The Goldilocks of Pies.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5797\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"The Goldilocks of Pies\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5797 \" title=\"IMG00412-20110528-1314\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00412-20110528-1314-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe heavens opened, the angels sang, and the highway cleared.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe crossed our fingers and headed for Sedona Round Two.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made it!  Sis and I spent a few hours walking off pie and taking in the majesty of the red rocks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was then time for dinner.  (<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>is about eating our way through the weekend, after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe arrived at <strong><a href=\"http://www.cucinarustica.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cucina Rustica</a></strong> which you would think translates to \"Rustic Kitchen\" but which actually means \"A Piece of Culinary Heaven Plopped Down in Sedona, Arizona\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur server welcomed us with, \"My name is William, and I am here to take care of you this evening.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, my, my, my -- Music to every woman\'s ears.  You could tell right away that this restaurant is run by a passionate woman and a real, live Italian male.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWilliam, we are tired, weary travelers who would love nothing more than to be taken care of.  Could we please start with a glass of Italian wine?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review </strong></span>of <strong>2008 SUPER TUSCAN </strong>TENUTA ARGENTIERA ‘POGGIO AI GINEPRI’	<strong>BOLGHERI, ITALY </strong>:  OMG.  This is the most amazing wine!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(You know how when siblings reunite, they often regress to a period from their childhood?  Apparently, my sister chose to revisit her \"Valley Girl\" stage this weekend.  OMG!  Like totally!)\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> If the wine in Tuscany tastes like this, I\'ll be looped every night when I\'m there in September.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Meal:</span> ARAGOSTA ALLA VODKA </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Linguine pasta delicately tossed with Canadian lobster meat and fresh campari tomatoes finished in a delicately spiced sublime vodka sauce\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie\'s Review: </strong></span> Yummmmmmm...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Michelle\'s Meal: </span> PENNE DON QUIXOTE </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy chipotle cream sauce on penne pasta\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review:</strong></span> I feel downright quixotic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then stood up and broke out into <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9fPSKqL58\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Impossible Dream\"</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust kidding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><strong>Dessert: </strong></span> Ancient Italian Secret Ice Cream (family recipe)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5798\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I think it was called &quot;Semifreddo&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5798\" title=\"IMG00414-20110528-1925\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00414-20110528-1925-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie: </strong></span> Interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I\'m feeling tipsy from the liqueur in there.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jennie:</strong></span> No.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> I swear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...for the GRANDEST of Grand Finales...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI met Lisa Dahl, award-winning author of <em>The Elixir of Life</em> and co-owner of Cucina Rustica.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCourtesy of my sister.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou see, I decided to feel shy and introverted at the end of the meal.  I regressed back to when I was five and hid behind my mother\'s legs instead of staying for ballet class.  Even though I wanted to be a prima ballerina when I grew up.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward 36 years and I\'m hiding behind a wall on the patio while insisting that Lisa Dahl is much too busy to talk to a small potatoes blogger who forked over a month\'s salary to Whole Paycheck so that she could undertake a silly Lusty Cooking Project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike my mother 36 years ago, my sister made me stay.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTough love pays.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI introduced myself to Lisa as she whirled around the corner.  She greeted me with a warm hug and her larger-than-life personality.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnlike<strong> <em><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/\" target=\"_blank\">Julie &amp; Julia</a></em>,</strong> where Julia Child thinks that the blogger cooking her food is a vapid idiot, Lisa Dahl said that she was \"honored\" to meet me!  Yes!  \"Honored\"!  I wanted to sputter, \"Lisa, don\'t you know that I am a small potatoes blogger?!?!?!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then excitedly rambled about a project idea that she has in store for us.  \"Us!\"  I can\'t tell you what she mentioned, because I was a little too starstruck and nervous to properly digest her idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHopefully, my sister will remember.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I am working out and <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">stepping it up</a></strong> like a fiend to counteract all the cream, butter, and cheese that I consumed last week.  Considering that those 7 recipes were the best meals that I have ever cooked, I would say that the countless calories were more than worth it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope that you enjoyed <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/\" target=\"_blank\">The Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> as much as I did.  Are you ready to add a bit of Lustiness to your life?  You can purchase Lisa Dahl\'s <em>Elixir of Life </em>cookbook <strong><a href=\"http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 244:  Lusty Cooking Project Grand Finale ','','inherit','open','open','','5781-revision-18','','','2011-06-01 20:53:39','2011-06-02 03:53:39','',5781,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/01/5781-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(5815,1,'2011-06-02 12:17:32','2011-06-02 19:17:32','Day 3 of Wine and Dine 2011 consisted of a 3 course meal spread throughout the day this past Sunday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course One:  Lattes and Butternut Squash Scone at <a href=\"http://www.lolacoffeebar.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Lola Coffee</a>.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I both agreed that the coffee was dy-no-mite.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs for the scone...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> I prefer my scones like my men.  Sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(My bro-in-law is indeed a great guy.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> Not a fan of caraway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie cont.:</span></strong> Is this rye bread or a scone?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course Two:  Sandwiches at <a href=\"http://www.tmialehouse.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Main Ingredient</a></span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat I ordered:  Cash Money….house-made cashew butter, Red Pepper-Cabernet Jelly, &amp; banana on sourdough\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Review:  This is an adult\'s PB &amp; J.  Except that it\'s CB &amp; J.  And it\'s extraordinary.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don\'t know what my sister ordered because I could not hear he over Beastie Boys blaring in the background.  (Sweet bro-in-law would have been in heaven.  Because he loves the Beastie Boys.  Not because he doesn\'t want to listen to my sister.  Although I am sure that there are times...)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Course Three:  Sundae Dinner at<a href=\"http://pinkspotcoffeeandicecream.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Pink Spot </a></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Sunday/Sundae Dinner.','Day 245:  CB & J (This is not your mother\'s PB & J)','','inherit','open','open','','5783-revision-4','','','2011-06-02 12:17:32','2011-06-02 19:17:32','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/02/5783-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5816,1,'2011-06-02 12:21:22','2011-06-02 19:21:22','Day 3 of Wine and Dine 2011 consisted of a 3 course meal spread throughout the day this past Sunday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course One:  Lattes and Butternut Squash Scone at <a href=\"http://www.lolacoffeebar.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Lola Coffee</a>.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I both agreed that the coffee was dy-no-mite.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs for the scone...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> I prefer my scones like my men.  Sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(My bro-in-law is indeed a great guy.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> Not a fan of caraway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie cont.:</span></strong> Is this rye bread or a scone?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course Two:  Sandwiches at <a href=\"http://www.tmialehouse.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Main Ingredient</a></span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat I ordered:  Cash Money….house-made cashew butter, Red Pepper-Cabernet Jelly, &amp; banana on sourdough\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Review:  This is an adult\'s PB &amp; J.  Except that it\'s CB &amp; J.  And it\'s extraordinary.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don\'t know what my sister ordered because I could not hear he over Beastie Boys blaring in the background.  (Sweet bro-in-law would have been in heaven.  Because he loves the Beastie Boys.  Not because he doesn\'t want to listen to my sister.  Although I am sure that there are times...)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Course Three:  Sundae Dinner at<a href=\"http://pinkspotcoffeeandicecream.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Pink Spot </a></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Sunday/Sundae Dinner.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBonus Course:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPhoto of wine','Day 245:  CB & J (This is not your mother\'s PB & J), Etc.','','inherit','open','open','','5783-revision-5','','','2011-06-02 12:21:22','2011-06-02 19:21:22','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/02/5783-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5824,1,'2011-06-02 18:59:05','2011-06-03 01:59:05','','IMG00418-20110529-1142','','inherit','open','open','','img00418-20110529-1142','','','2011-06-02 18:59:05','2011-06-03 01:59:05','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6424,1,'2011-07-06 14:12:17','2011-07-06 21:12:17','I am a \"functional shopper\".  I shop when I need things. I am embarrassed to admit how long I have needed a new sports bra.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLately, I have been the equivalent of the guy who can\'t let go of his favorite college t-shirt.  Although I am by no means attached to my sports bras.  That would be weird.  I\'m simply not motivated to substitute more interesting weekend plans for shopping.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA few years ago, when I left the free schedule of self employment and signed on to my Corporate America gig, I quit my gym membership in the interest of time.  I attain the same exact results (if not better results) from the in-home workouts from the P90X peeps, so why on earth would I spend extra precious time getting to and from the gym?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy workout routine also allows me to be a closet old sports bra wearer.  If I had a hubby lurking about, this would be a different story.  When you\'re single, you can get away with this secret single behavior stuff.  Bella doesn\'t care about the old sports bras, and neither do I.','Day 280:  Need Inspiration?  Shop for a Sports Bra.  ','','inherit','open','open','','6423-revision','','','2011-07-06 14:12:17','2011-07-06 21:12:17','',6423,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/6423-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6425,1,'2011-07-06 14:12:59','2011-07-06 21:12:59','I am a \"functional shopper\".  I shop when I need things. I am embarrassed to admit how long I have needed a new sports bra.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLately, I have been the equivalent of the guy who can\'t let go of his favorite college t-shirt.  Although I am by no means attached to my sports bras.  That would be weird.  I\'m simply not motivated to substitute more interesting weekend plans for shopping.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA few years ago, when I left the free schedule of self employment and signed on to my Corporate America gig, I quit my gym membership in the interest of time.  I attain the same exact results (if not better results) from the in-home workouts from the P90X peeps, so why on earth would I spend extra precious time getting to and from the gym?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy workout routine also allows me to be a closet old sports bra wearer.  If I had a hubby lurking about, this would be a different story.  When you\'re single, you can get away with this secret single behavior stuff.  It\'s one of our \"perks\".  Bella doesn\'t care about the old sports bras, and neither do I.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that its 110 in the shade, I','Day 280:  Need Inspiration?  Shop for a Sports Bra.  ','','inherit','open','open','','6423-revision-2','','','2011-07-06 14:12:59','2011-07-06 21:12:59','',6423,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/6423-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5833,1,'2011-06-04 01:11:46','2011-06-04 08:11:46','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine 2011 Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>ends  here.  :-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis boarded a plane and headed on back to H-Town.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am always sad when family leaves.  Luckily, this time around I had been invited out by a Gentleman Caller for a lovely diversion.  A Wine and Dine Tour 2011 After Party, if you will.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>After Party Location: <a href=\"http://www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com/food/elements.php\" target=\"_blank\"> A Restaurant with a View</a></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Wine: </strong></span>I can\'t remember. Something Italian in hopes of a Saturday night repeat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dinner: </strong></span>char grilled flat iron | shishito &amp; corn spoonbread, grilled mushrooms, miso mustard butter\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dessert:</strong></span> strawberry rhubarb funnel cake | buttermilk ice cream\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5834\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Yet another furry Crackberry photo\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5834\" title=\"IMG00428-20110530-2112\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that Wine and Dine 2011 really stops here, but...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSomething tells me I will be eating my way through Portland this weekend for <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com\" target=\"_blank\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBring on the coffee and the VooDoo Donuts!  :-D','Day 246:  The Tour Ends Here','','publish','open','closed','','day-246-the-tour-ends-here','','http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/','2011-06-03 22:42:58','2011-06-04 05:42:58','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=5833',0,'post','',0),(5825,1,'2011-06-02 19:01:24','2011-06-03 02:01:24','','IMG00420-20110529-1437','','inherit','open','open','','img00420-20110529-1437','','','2011-06-02 19:01:24','2011-06-03 02:01:24','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5826,1,'2011-06-02 19:02:16','2011-06-03 02:02:16','','IMG00422-20110529-1707','','inherit','open','open','','img00422-20110529-1707','','','2011-06-02 19:02:16','2011-06-03 02:02:16','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5827,1,'2011-06-02 19:04:17','2011-06-03 02:04:17','','IMG00424-20110529-2005','','inherit','open','open','','img00424-20110529-2005','','','2011-06-02 19:04:17','2011-06-03 02:04:17','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5828,1,'2011-06-02 19:03:33','2011-06-03 02:03:33','Day 3 of Wine and Dine 2011 consisted of a 3 course meal spread throughout the day this past Sunday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course One:  Lattes and Butternut Squash Scone at <a href=\"http://www.lolacoffeebar.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Lola Coffee</a>.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5824\" title=\"IMG00418-20110529-1142\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I both agreed that the coffee was dy-no-mite.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs for the scone...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> I prefer my scones like my men.  Sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(My bro-in-law is indeed a great guy.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> Not a fan of caraway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie cont.:</span></strong> Is this rye bread or a scone?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course Two:  Sandwiches at <a href=\"http://www.tmialehouse.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Main Ingredient</a></span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5825\" title=\"IMG00420-20110529-1437\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat I ordered:  Cash Money….house-made cashew butter, Red Pepper-Cabernet Jelly, &amp; banana on sourdough\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Review:  This is an adult\'s PB &amp; J.  Except that it\'s CB &amp; J.  And it\'s extraordinary.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don\'t know what my sister ordered because I could not hear he over Beastie Boys blaring in the background.  (Sweet bro-in-law would have been in heaven.  Because he loves the Beastie Boys.  Not because he doesn\'t want to listen to my sister.  Although I am sure that there are times...)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Course Three:  Sundae Dinner at<a href=\"http://pinkspotcoffeeandicecream.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Pink Spot </a></strong></span>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5826\" title=\"IMG00422-20110529-1707\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nThis is my kind of Sunday/Sundae Dinner.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Bonus Course Later That Evening:</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPhoto of wine','Day 245:  CB & J (This is not your mother\'s PB & J), Etc.','','inherit','open','open','','5783-revision-6','','','2011-06-02 19:03:33','2011-06-03 02:03:33','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/02/5783-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5829,1,'2011-06-02 19:05:29','2011-06-03 02:05:29','Day 3 of Wine and Dine 2011 consisted of a 3 course meal spread throughout the day this past Sunday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course One:  Lattes and Butternut Squash Scone at <a href=\"http://www.lolacoffeebar.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Lola Coffee</a>.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5824\" title=\"IMG00418-20110529-1142\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis and I both agreed that the coffee was dy-no-mite.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs for the scone...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> I prefer my scones like my men.  Sweet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(My bro-in-law is indeed a great guy.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> Not a fan of caraway.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie cont.:</span></strong> Is this rye bread or a scone?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course Two:  Sandwiches at <a href=\"http://www.tmialehouse.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Main Ingredient</a></span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5825\" title=\"IMG00420-20110529-1437\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>What I ordered:</strong></span> Cash Money….house-made cashew butter, Red Pepper-Cabernet Jelly, &amp; banana on sourdough\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>My Review: </strong></span> This is an adult\'s PB &amp; J.  Except that it\'s CB &amp; J.  And it\'s extraordinary.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don\'t know what my sister ordered because I could not hear he over Beastie Boys blaring in the background.  (Sweet bro-in-law would have been in heaven.  Because he loves the Beastie Boys.  Not because he doesn\'t want to listen to my sister.  Although I am sure that there are times...)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Course Three:  Sundae Dinner at<a href=\"http://pinkspotcoffeeandicecream.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Pink Spot</a></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>\r\n</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5826\" title=\"IMG00422-20110529-1707\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is my kind of Sunday/Sundae Dinner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Bonus Course Later That Evening:</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5827\" title=\"IMG00424-20110529-2005\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 245:  CB & J (This is not your mother\'s PB & J), Etc.','','inherit','open','open','','5783-revision-7','','','2011-06-02 19:05:29','2011-06-03 02:05:29','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/02/5783-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5830,1,'2011-06-02 19:07:29','2011-06-03 02:07:29','Day 3 of Wine and Dine 2011 consisted of a 3 course meal spread throughout the day this past Sunday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course One:  Lattes and Butternut Squash Scone at <a href=\"http://www.lolacoffeebar.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Lola Coffee</a>.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5824\" title=\"IMG00418-20110529-1142\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I both agreed that the coffee was dy-no-mite.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs for the scone...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> I prefer my scones like my men.  Sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(My bro-in-law is indeed a great guy.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> Not a fan of caraway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie cont.:</span></strong> Is this rye bread or a scone?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course Two:  Sandwiches at <a href=\"http://www.tmialehouse.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Main Ingredient</a></span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5825\" title=\"IMG00420-20110529-1437\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>What I ordered:</strong></span> Cash Money….house-made cashew butter, Red Pepper-Cabernet Jelly, &amp; banana on sourdough\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>My Review: </strong></span> This is an adult\'s PB &amp; J.  Except that it\'s CB &amp; J.  And it\'s extraordinary.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don\'t know what my sister ordered because I could not hear he over Beastie Boys blaring in the background.  (Sweet bro-in-law would have been in heaven.  Because he loves the Beastie Boys.  Not because he doesn\'t want to listen to my sister.  Although I am sure that there are times...)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Course Three:  Sundae Dinner at<a href=\"http://pinkspotcoffeeandicecream.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Pink Spot</a></strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>\n</strong></span>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5826\" title=\"IMG00422-20110529-1707\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Sunday/Sundae Dinner.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Bonus Course Later That Evening:</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5827\" title=\"IMG00424-20110529-2005\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 245:  CB & J (This is not your mother\'s PB & J), Etc.','','inherit','open','open','','5783-revision-8','','','2011-06-02 19:07:29','2011-06-03 02:07:29','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/02/5783-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5831,1,'2011-06-02 19:09:17','2011-06-03 02:09:17','&nbsp;\n\nDay 3 of Wine and Dine 2011 consisted of a 3 course meal spread throughout the day this past Sunday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course One:  Lattes and Butternut Squash Scone at <a href=\"http://www.lolacoffeebar.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Lola Coffee</a>.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5824\" title=\"IMG00418-20110529-1142\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I both agreed that the coffee was dy-no-mite.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs for the scone...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> I prefer my scones like my men.  Sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(My bro-in-law is indeed a great guy.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> Not a fan of caraway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie cont.:</span></strong> Is this rye bread or a scone?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course Two:  Sandwiches at <a href=\"http://www.tmialehouse.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Main Ingredient</a></span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5825\" title=\"IMG00420-20110529-1437\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>What I ordered:</strong></span> Cash Money….house-made cashew butter, Red Pepper-Cabernet Jelly, &amp; banana on sourdough\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>My Review: </strong></span> This is an adult\'s PB &amp; J.  Except that it\'s CB &amp; J.  And it\'s extraordinary.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don\'t know what my sister ordered because I could not hear her over the Beastie Boys blaring in the background.  (Sweet bro-in-law would have been in heaven.  Because he loves the Beastie Boys.  Not because he doesn\'t want to listen to my sister.  Although I am sure that there are times...)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Course Three:  Sundae Dinner at<a href=\"http://pinkspotcoffeeandicecream.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Pink Spot</a></strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>\n</strong></span>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5826\" title=\"IMG00422-20110529-1707\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Sunday/Sundae Dinner.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Bonus Course Later That Evening:</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5827\" title=\"IMG00424-20110529-2005\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 245:  CB & J (This is not your mother\'s PB & J), Etc.','','inherit','open','open','','5783-revision-9','','','2011-06-02 19:09:17','2011-06-03 02:09:17','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/02/5783-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5832,1,'2011-06-02 19:13:25','2011-06-03 02:13:25','&nbsp;\n\nDay 3 of Wine and Dine 2011 consisted of a 3 course meal spread throughout the day this past Sunday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course One:  Lattes and Butternut Squash Scone at <a href=\"http://www.lolacoffeebar.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Lola Coffee</a>.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5824\" title=\"IMG00418-20110529-1142\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00418-20110529-1142-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis and I both agreed that the coffee was dy-no-mite.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs for the scone...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie\'s Review:</span></strong> I prefer my scones like my men.  Sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(My bro-in-law is indeed a great guy.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Michelle\'s Review: </strong></span> Not a fan of caraway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jennie cont.:</span></strong> Is this rye bread or a scone?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\">Course Two:  Sandwiches at <a href=\"http://www.tmialehouse.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Main Ingredient</a></span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5825\" title=\"IMG00420-20110529-1437\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00420-20110529-1437-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>What I ordered:</strong></span> Cash Money….house-made cashew butter, Red Pepper-Cabernet Jelly, &amp; banana on sourdough\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>My Review: </strong></span> This is an adult\'s PB &amp; J.  Except that it\'s CB &amp; J.  And it\'s extraordinary.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don\'t know what my sister ordered because I could not hear her over the Beastie Boys blaring in the background.  (Sweet bro-in-law would have been in heaven.  Because he loves the Beastie Boys.  Not because he doesn\'t want to listen to my sister.  Although I am sure that there are times...)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Course Three:  Sundae Dinner at<a href=\"http://pinkspotcoffeeandicecream.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Pink Spot</a></strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: medium;\"><strong>\n</strong></span>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5826\" title=\"IMG00422-20110529-1707\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00422-20110529-1707-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Sunday/Sundae Dinner.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Bonus Course Later That Evening:</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5827\" title=\"IMG00424-20110529-2005\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00424-20110529-2005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 245:  CB & J (This is not your mother\'s PB & J), Etc.','','inherit','open','open','','5783-autosave','','','2011-06-02 19:13:25','2011-06-03 02:13:25','',5783,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/02/5783-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5834,1,'2011-06-03 22:37:42','2011-06-04 05:37:42','','IMG00428-20110530-2112','Yet another furry Crackberry photo','inherit','open','open','','img00428-20110530-2112','','','2011-06-03 22:37:42','2011-06-04 05:37:42','',5833,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5835,1,'2011-06-03 22:31:10','2011-06-04 05:31:10','<strong>The Wine and Dine Tour 2011</strong> ends  here.  :-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis boarded a plane and headed on back to H-Town.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am always sad when family leaves.  Luckily, this time around I had been invited out by a Gentleman Caller for a lovely diversion.  A Wine and Dine Tour 2011 After Party, if you will.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>After Party Location: <a href=\"A Restaurant with a View\" target=\"_blank\"> A Restaurant with a View</a></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Wine: </strong></span>I can\'t remember. Something Italian in hopes of a Saturday night repeat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dinner: </strong></span>char grilled flat iron | shishito &amp; corn spoonbread, grilled mushrooms, miso mustard butter\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dessert:</strong></span> strawberry rhubarb funnel cake | buttermilk ice cream\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI would say that Wine and Dine 2011 really stops here, but...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSomething tells me I will be eating my way through Portland this weekend for <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBring on the coffee and the VooDoo Donuts!  :-D','Day 246:  The Tour Ends Here','','inherit','open','open','','5833-revision','','','2011-06-03 22:31:10','2011-06-04 05:31:10','',5833,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/03/5833-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5836,1,'2011-06-03 22:40:03','2011-06-04 05:40:03','<strong>The Wine and Dine Tour 2011</strong> ends  here.  :-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis boarded a plane and headed on back to H-Town.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am always sad when family leaves.  Luckily, this time around I had been invited out by a Gentleman Caller for a lovely diversion.  A Wine and Dine Tour 2011 After Party, if you will.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>After Party Location: <a href=\"A Restaurant with a View\" target=\"_blank\"> A Restaurant with a View</a></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Wine: </strong></span>I can\'t remember. Something Italian in hopes of a Saturday night repeat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dinner: </strong></span>char grilled flat iron | shishito &amp; corn spoonbread, grilled mushrooms, miso mustard butter\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dessert:</strong></span> strawberry rhubarb funnel cake | buttermilk ice cream\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5834\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Yet another furry Crackberry photo\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5834\" title=\"IMG00428-20110530-2112\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI would say that Wine and Dine 2011 really stops here, but...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSomething tells me I will be eating my way through Portland this weekend for <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBring on the coffee and the VooDoo Donuts!  :-D','Day 246:  The Tour Ends Here','','inherit','open','open','','5833-autosave','','','2011-06-03 22:40:03','2011-06-04 05:40:03','',5833,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/03/5833-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5837,1,'2011-06-03 22:38:48','2011-06-04 05:38:48','<strong>The Wine and Dine Tour 2011</strong> ends  here.  :-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis boarded a plane and headed on back to H-Town.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am always sad when family leaves.  Luckily, this time around I had been invited out by a Gentleman Caller for a lovely diversion.  A Wine and Dine Tour 2011 After Party, if you will.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>After Party Location: <a href=\"A Restaurant with a View\" target=\"_blank\"> A Restaurant with a View</a></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Wine: </strong></span>I can\'t remember. Something Italian in hopes of a Saturday night repeat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dinner: </strong></span>char grilled flat iron | shishito &amp; corn spoonbread, grilled mushrooms, miso mustard butter\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dessert:</strong></span> strawberry rhubarb funnel cake | buttermilk ice cream\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5834\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Yet another furry Crackberry photo\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5834\" title=\"IMG00428-20110530-2112\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that Wine and Dine 2011 really stops here, but...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSomething tells me I will be eating my way through Portland this weekend for <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBring on the coffee and the VooDoo Donuts!  :-D','Day 246:  The Tour Ends Here','','inherit','open','open','','5833-revision-2','','','2011-06-03 22:38:48','2011-06-04 05:38:48','',5833,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/03/5833-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5838,1,'2011-06-03 22:40:18','2011-06-04 05:40:18','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine Tour 2011</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>ends  here.  :-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis boarded a plane and headed on back to H-Town.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am always sad when family leaves.  Luckily, this time around I had been invited out by a Gentleman Caller for a lovely diversion.  A Wine and Dine Tour 2011 After Party, if you will.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>After Party Location: <a href=\"A Restaurant with a View\" target=\"_blank\"> A Restaurant with a View</a></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Wine: </strong></span>I can\'t remember. Something Italian in hopes of a Saturday night repeat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dinner: </strong></span>char grilled flat iron | shishito &amp; corn spoonbread, grilled mushrooms, miso mustard butter\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dessert:</strong></span> strawberry rhubarb funnel cake | buttermilk ice cream\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5834\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Yet another furry Crackberry photo\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5834\" title=\"IMG00428-20110530-2112\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that Wine and Dine 2011 really stops here, but...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSomething tells me I will be eating my way through Portland this weekend for <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBring on the coffee and the VooDoo Donuts!  :-D','Day 246:  The Tour Ends Here','','inherit','open','open','','5833-revision-3','','','2011-06-03 22:40:18','2011-06-04 05:40:18','',5833,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/03/5833-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5839,1,'2011-06-03 22:40:53','2011-06-04 05:40:53','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">The Wine and Dine 2011 Tour</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>ends  here.  :-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis boarded a plane and headed on back to H-Town.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am always sad when family leaves.  Luckily, this time around I had been invited out by a Gentleman Caller for a lovely diversion.  A Wine and Dine Tour 2011 After Party, if you will.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #993300;\"><strong>After Party Location: <a href=\"A Restaurant with a View\" target=\"_blank\"> A Restaurant with a View</a></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Wine: </strong></span>I can\'t remember. Something Italian in hopes of a Saturday night repeat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dinner: </strong></span>char grilled flat iron | shishito &amp; corn spoonbread, grilled mushrooms, miso mustard butter\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>Dessert:</strong></span> strawberry rhubarb funnel cake | buttermilk ice cream\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5834\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Yet another furry Crackberry photo\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5834\" title=\"IMG00428-20110530-2112\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG00428-20110530-2112-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that Wine and Dine 2011 really stops here, but...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSomething tells me I will be eating my way through Portland this weekend for <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBring on the coffee and the VooDoo Donuts!  :-D','Day 246:  The Tour Ends Here','','inherit','open','open','','5833-revision-4','','','2011-06-03 22:40:53','2011-06-04 05:40:53','',5833,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/03/5833-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6423,1,'2011-07-07 01:11:28','2011-07-07 08:11:28','[caption id=\"attachment_6429\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Good thing I covered all of these bases in the past month. Whew! ;-)\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7060047.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6429\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7060047-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI am a \"functional shopper\".  I shop when I need things. I am embarrassed to admit how long I have needed a new sports bra.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have been the equivalent of the guy who can\'t let go of his favorite college t-shirt.  Although I am by no means attached to my old sports bras.  That would be weird.  I\'m simply not motivated to substitute more interesting weekend plans for shopping.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI should note that no one sees me in these sports bras in question.  A few years ago, when I left the ultimate free schedule of 12 years of self employment and signed on to my Corporate America gig, I quit my gym membership in the interest of time.  I attain the same exact results (if not better results) from my P90 workouts, so why on earth would I spend extra precious time schlepping to and from the gym?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I had a husband lurking about the house, this would be a totally different story.  There is NO WAY I would prance my P90 self about the house in old dingy sports clothes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I am not married.  I am single.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>When you\'re single, you can get away with this secret single behavior stuff.  It\'s one of our \"perks\".  </strong></span>World\'s Most Precious Pooch certainly doesn\'t care about the old sports bras, and neither do I.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast week I had a revelation.  Now that its 110 in the shade,  it would be much smarter and cooler if I wore as little clothing as possible on my nightly walk with Little Miss B.  And even though I\'ve semi-lost my pride in my secret singleness, I still have standards when I am around other people.  It\'s time to throw away the old sports bras.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m also in a \"If you build it, he will come\" frame of mind lately.  Therefore, if I purchase new sports bras now, HE will soon be lurking around.  (In a non-creepy way, of course.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo what does this secret single revelation have to do with inspiration?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m glad you asked.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.lululemon.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Lululemon.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor those of you whom I have caught unawares, no it\'s not the song from Sesame Street.  That was <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOKcG-B3VkA&amp;feature=related\" target=\"_blank\">\"Lalalala Lemon\".</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLululemon is a store which sells the best quality yoga and athletic wear.  Is this my humble opinion or fact?  I will let you decide.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNote that I was shopping for sports bras only and not sports bottoms.  Why?  I last purchased sports shorts and yoga pants in Vancouver in the summer of 2006.  THEY STILL LOOK AND WEAR LIKE NEW 5 YEARS LATER!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack in 2006, Lululemon did not exist in Arizona, and I\'m not even sure they existed in the U.S.  I remember the owner of the shop telling me that she was thinking of expanding to Scottsdale or Hawaii.  I nearly got down on my knees and begged the woman to come to Arizona.  I hinted that she might want to consider the Phoenix Biltmore area over Snobbsdale.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGuess who moved in to both Snobbsdale and Phoenix Biltmore?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would like to think that I\'m somehow personally responsible.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd now for the inspiration...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLululemon is one of those companies who GETS IT.  They are in the same league as Apple.  They inject their culture with creativity, coolness, fun and INSPIRATION.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI entered the store in \"I hate shopping\" mode and left feeling enthused and like I had three new best friends.  The perky saleswomen rival <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/27/day-119-my-apple-geniuses-and-me/\" target=\"_blank\">my Apple geniuses</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would now like to share a bit of Lululemon Shopping Bag Wisdom with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7060049.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6430\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7060049-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7060050.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6431\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7060050-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6433\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7060052-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7060051.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6432\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7060051-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you feel more inspired?  I\'m not sure WHAT they were thinking about with that bizarre orgasm/children quote.  We\'ll just pretend that we didn\'t see that.  Moving right along...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow it\'s time for YOU to spill it! <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong> What is YOUR secret single behavior?</strong></span>  If you are a smug married, think about what you do when hubby or wifey is away.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKindly share in the comment section below to help me feel better about myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 280:  Need Inspiration?  Shop for a Sports Bra.  ','','publish','open','open','','day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/27/day-119-my-apple-geniuses-and-me/','2011-07-07 09:37:59','2011-07-07 16:37:59','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6423',0,'post','',13),(5842,1,'2011-06-07 01:11:39','2011-06-07 08:11:39','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5855\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\nNo, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhy is it that plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis toilet dilemma sprang up the night before my sister was set to fly into my fair city for <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">Wine and Dine 2011</a></strong>.  When I discovered the problem, plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWith the help of Dad, of course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually very clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut who cares when you\'re saving $120+?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI used to whine that I was woefully unhandy.  Not anymore!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5857\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>','Day 248:  I Fixed a Toilet.  Myself.  Oooh.  Ahhh.   ','','publish','open','closed','','day-248-i-am-a-plumber','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/','2011-06-06 22:09:13','2011-06-07 05:09:13','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=5842',0,'post','',6),(5843,1,'2011-06-05 22:35:39','2011-06-06 05:35:39','<p>No, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>But after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Which happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Of course, plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>The handle broke off the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I found a 24 hour service on the Internet.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Me:  \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Useless 24 Hour Service:  \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Me:  \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Useless 24 Hour Service:  \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Me:  \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.  With the help of Dad.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (It\'s actually clean water, Michelle), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Sounded easy.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>And it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.  Sis had the brilliant idea of taking a photo of the tank with the Crackberry in an effort to help Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy.</p>','Day 248:  I am a Plumber','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision','','','2011-06-05 22:35:39','2011-06-06 05:35:39','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5842-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5845,1,'2011-06-06 22:07:47','2011-06-07 05:07:47','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5855\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\nNo, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhy is it that plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis toilet dilemma sprang up the night before my sister was set to fly into my fair city for <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">Wine and Dine 2011</a></strong>.  When I discovered the problem, plumbers had shut down for the night.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWith the help of Dad, of course.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSounded easy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut who cares when you\'re saving $120+?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI used to whine that I was woefully unhandy.  Not anymore!  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5857\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>','Day 248:  I Fixed a Toilet.  Myself.  Oooh.  Ahhh.   ','','inherit','open','open','','5842-autosave','','','2011-06-06 22:07:47','2011-06-07 05:07:47','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5842-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5844,1,'2011-06-05 22:35:41','2011-06-06 05:35:41','<p>No, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>But after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Which happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Of course, plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>The handle broke off the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I found a 24 hour service on the Internet.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Me:  \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Useless 24 Hour Service:  \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Me:  \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Useless 24 Hour Service:  \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Me:  \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.  With the help of Dad.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (It\'s actually clean water, Michelle), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Sounded easy.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>And it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.  Sis had the brilliant idea of taking a photo of the tank with the Crackberry in an effort to help Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy.</p>','Day 248:  I am a Plumber','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-2','','','2011-06-05 22:35:41','2011-06-06 05:35:41','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5842-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5846,1,'2011-06-05 22:37:00','2011-06-06 05:37:00','No, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course, plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe handle broke off the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMe:  \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUseless 24 Hour Service:  \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMe:  \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUseless 24 Hour Service:  \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMe:  \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.  With the help of Dad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (It\'s actually clean water, Michelle), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.  Sis had the brilliant idea of taking a photo of the tank with the Crackberry in an effort to help Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy.','Day 248:  I am a Plumber','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-3','','','2011-06-05 22:37:00','2011-06-06 05:37:00','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5842-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5847,1,'2011-06-05 22:41:10','2011-06-06 05:41:10','No, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course, plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe handle broke off the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.  With the help of Dad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.  Sis had the brilliant idea of taking a photo of the tank with the Crackberry in an effort to help Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThanks, Sis!','Day 248:  I am a Plumber','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-4','','','2011-06-05 22:41:10','2011-06-06 05:41:10','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5842-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5848,1,'2011-06-06 01:11:45','2011-06-06 08:11:45','[caption id=\"attachment_5852\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thanks, JftB for teaching me how to take a close up with my non-fancy camera.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020013.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020013-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWho knows the song \"The Ring Didn\'t Mean a Thing\"?  If you do, then you are a <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta\" target=\"_blank\">Real Housewives</a></strong></em><strong> </strong>junkie like me.  I am so sorry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Although...at least Kandi is a \"Housewife\" that actually has talent, ambition, and business acumen.  That\'s why we remember her catchy song.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not much of a jewelry person.  It\'s challenging enough coordinating an outfit and shoes.  Throwing jewelry into the mix only complicates my morning routine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI adore rings, though.  They\'re simple, they\'re easy, and they go with almost any outfit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShopping for rings is another story.  I have wee fingers.  Not necessarily short, but skinny.  I think my ring finger is a size 4, if I remember correctly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTherefore, rings rarely fit me, and I hang on to a few staples for <em>years</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuring <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">Wine and Dine 2011</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">...</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI entered <strong> <a href=\"http://www.francesvintage.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Frances Vintage</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 247, I sported Fabulous Frances Vintage Ring for the first time to work.  EVERYONE noticed and complimented.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDon\'t you love those kinds of days?  :-D','Day 247:  The Ring DID Mean a Thing','','publish','open','closed','','day-247-the-ring-did-mean-a-thing','','http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/','2011-06-05 22:53:25','2011-06-06 05:53:25','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=5848',0,'post','',2),(5849,1,'2011-06-05 22:41:45','2011-06-06 05:41:45','<p>Who knows the song \"The Ring Didn\'t Mean a Thing\"?  If you do, then you are a <em><strong>Real Housewives</strong></em><strong> </strong>junkie like me.  I am so sorry.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>(Although...at least <strong>Kandi</strong> (sp?) is a \"Housewife\" that actually has talent, ambition, and business acumen.  That\'s why we remember her catchy song.)</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I\'m not much of a jewelry person.  It\'s challenging enough coordinating an outfit and shoes.  Throwing jewelry into the mix only complicates my morning routine.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I adore rings, though.  They\'re simple, they\'re easy, and they go with almost any outfit.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Shopping for rings is another story.  I have wee fingers.  Not necessarily short, but skinny.  I think my ring finger is a size 4, if I remember correctly.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Therefore, rings rarely fit me, and I hang on to a few staples for <em>years</em>.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>And then...</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>During <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>...</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I entered <strong>Vintage Bliss</strong>.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>On Day 247, I sported Vintage Bliss Ring for the first time to work.  EVERYONE noticed and complimented.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Don\'t you love those kinds of days?  :-D</p>','Day 247:  The Ring DID Mean a Thing','','inherit','open','open','','5848-revision','','','2011-06-05 22:41:45','2011-06-06 05:41:45','',5848,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5848-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5850,1,'2011-06-05 22:47:07','2011-06-06 05:47:07','Who knows the song \"The Ring Didn\'t Mean a Thing\"?  If you do, then you are a <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta\" target=\"_blank\">Real Housewives</a></strong></em><strong> </strong>junkie like me.  I am so sorry.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Although...at least Kandi is a \"Housewife\" that actually has talent, ambition, and business acumen.  That\'s why we remember her catchy song.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not much of a jewelry person.  It\'s challenging enough coordinating an outfit and shoes.  Throwing jewelry into the mix only complicates my morning routine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI adore rings, though.  They\'re simple, they\'re easy, and they go with almost any outfit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShopping for rings is another story.  I have wee fingers.  Not necessarily short, but skinny.  I think my ring finger is a size 4, if I remember correctly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTherefore, rings rarely fit me, and I hang on to a few staples for <em>years</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuring <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">Wine and Dine 2011</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">...</a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI entered <strong> <a href=\"http://www.francesvintage.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Frances Vintage</a>.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 247, I sported Fabulous Frances Vintage Ring for the first time to work.  EVERYONE noticed and complimented.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDon\'t you love those kinds of days?  :-D','Day 247:  The Ring DID Mean a Thing','','inherit','open','open','','5848-autosave','','','2011-06-05 22:47:07','2011-06-06 05:47:07','',5848,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5848-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5851,1,'2011-06-05 22:41:47','2011-06-06 05:41:47','<p>Who knows the song \"The Ring Didn\'t Mean a Thing\"?  If you do, then you are a <em><strong>Real Housewives</strong></em><strong> </strong>junkie like me.  I am so sorry.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>(Although...at least <strong>Kandi</strong> (sp?) is a \"Housewife\" that actually has talent, ambition, and business acumen.  That\'s why we remember her catchy song.)</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I\'m not much of a jewelry person.  It\'s challenging enough coordinating an outfit and shoes.  Throwing jewelry into the mix only complicates my morning routine.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I adore rings, though.  They\'re simple, they\'re easy, and they go with almost any outfit.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Shopping for rings is another story.  I have wee fingers.  Not necessarily short, but skinny.  I think my ring finger is a size 4, if I remember correctly.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Therefore, rings rarely fit me, and I hang on to a few staples for <em>years</em>.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>And then...</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>During <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>...</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I entered <strong>Vintage Bliss</strong>.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>On Day 247, I sported Vintage Bliss Ring for the first time to work.  EVERYONE noticed and complimented.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Don\'t you love those kinds of days?  :-D</p>','Day 247:  The Ring DID Mean a Thing','','inherit','open','open','','5848-revision-2','','','2011-06-05 22:41:47','2011-06-06 05:41:47','',5848,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5848-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5852,1,'2011-06-05 22:51:32','2011-06-06 05:51:32','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Thanks, JftB for teaching me how to take a close up with my non-fancy camera.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-375','','','2011-06-05 22:51:32','2011-06-06 05:51:32','',5848,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020013.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5853,1,'2011-06-05 22:44:02','2011-06-06 05:44:02','Who knows the song \"The Ring Didn\'t Mean a Thing\"?  If you do, then you are a <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta\" target=\"_blank\">Real Housewives</a></strong></em><strong> </strong>junkie like me.  I am so sorry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Although...at least Kandi is a \"Housewife\" that actually has talent, ambition, and business acumen.  That\'s why we remember her catchy song.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not much of a jewelry person.  It\'s challenging enough coordinating an outfit and shoes.  Throwing jewelry into the mix only complicates my morning routine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI adore rings, though.  They\'re simple, they\'re easy, and they go with almost any outfit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShopping for rings is another story.  I have wee fingers.  Not necessarily short, but skinny.  I think my ring finger is a size 4, if I remember correctly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTherefore, rings rarely fit me, and I hang on to a few staples for <em>years</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuring <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI entered <strong>Vintage Bliss</strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 247, I sported Vintage Bliss Ring for the first time to work.  EVERYONE noticed and complimented.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDon\'t you love those kinds of days?  :-D','Day 247:  The Ring DID Mean a Thing','','inherit','open','open','','5848-revision-3','','','2011-06-05 22:44:02','2011-06-06 05:44:02','',5848,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5848-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5854,1,'2011-06-05 22:53:01','2011-06-06 05:53:01','[caption id=\"attachment_5852\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thanks, JftB for teaching me how to take a close up with my non-fancy camera.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020013.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020013-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWho knows the song \"The Ring Didn\'t Mean a Thing\"?  If you do, then you are a <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta\" target=\"_blank\">Real Housewives</a></strong></em><strong> </strong>junkie like me.  I am so sorry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Although...at least Kandi is a \"Housewife\" that actually has talent, ambition, and business acumen.  That\'s why we remember her catchy song.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not much of a jewelry person.  It\'s challenging enough coordinating an outfit and shoes.  Throwing jewelry into the mix only complicates my morning routine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI adore rings, though.  They\'re simple, they\'re easy, and they go with almost any outfit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShopping for rings is another story.  I have wee fingers.  Not necessarily short, but skinny.  I think my ring finger is a size 4, if I remember correctly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTherefore, rings rarely fit me, and I hang on to a few staples for <em>years</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuring <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">Wine and Dine 2011</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">...</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI entered <strong> <a href=\"http://www.francesvintage.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Frances Vintage</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 247, I sported Fabulous Frances Vintage Ring for the first time to work.  EVERYONE noticed and complimented.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDon\'t you love those kinds of days?  :-D','Day 247:  The Ring DID Mean a Thing','','inherit','open','open','','5848-revision-4','','','2011-06-05 22:53:01','2011-06-06 05:53:01','',5848,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5848-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5855,1,'2011-06-06 21:43:47','2011-06-07 04:43:47','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-376','','','2011-06-06 21:43:47','2011-06-07 04:43:47','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5856,1,'2011-06-05 22:41:33','2011-06-06 05:41:33','No, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course, plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe handle broke off the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.  With the help of Dad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.  Sis had the brilliant idea of taking a photo of the tank with the Crackberry in an effort to help Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThanks, Sis!','Day 248:  I am a Plumber','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-5','','','2011-06-05 22:41:33','2011-06-06 05:41:33','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/05/5842-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5857,1,'2011-06-06 21:48:57','2011-06-07 04:48:57','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-377','','','2011-06-06 21:48:57','2011-06-07 04:48:57','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5858,1,'2011-06-06 21:44:57','2011-06-07 04:44:57','No, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5855\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Which happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course, plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe handle broke off the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.  With the help of Dad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.  Sis had the brilliant idea of taking a photo of the tank with the Crackberry in an effort to help Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThanks, Sis!','Day 248:  I am a Plumber','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-6','','','2011-06-06 21:44:57','2011-06-07 04:44:57','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/06/5842-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5859,1,'2011-06-06 21:51:54','2011-06-07 04:51:54','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5855\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\nNo, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course, plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe handle broke off the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong>Wine and Dine 2011</strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.  With the help of Dad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut who cares when you\'re saving $120+?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5857\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>','Day 248:  I am a Plumber','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-7','','','2011-06-06 21:51:54','2011-06-07 04:51:54','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/06/5842-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5860,1,'2011-06-06 21:54:41','2011-06-07 04:54:41','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5855\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\nNo, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course, plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe handle broke off the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">Wine and Dine 2011</a></strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.  With the help of Dad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut who cares when you\'re saving $120+?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI used to whine that I was woefully unhandy.  Not anymore!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5857\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>','Day 248:  I am a Plumber','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-8','','','2011-06-06 21:54:41','2011-06-07 04:54:41','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/06/5842-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5861,1,'2011-06-06 22:00:40','2011-06-07 05:00:40','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5855\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\nNo, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course, plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe toilet dilemma sprang up the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">Wine and Dine 2011</a></strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.  With the help of Dad.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut who cares when you\'re saving $120+?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI used to whine that I was woefully unhandy.  Not anymore!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5857\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>','Day 248:  I am a Plumber','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-9','','','2011-06-06 22:00:40','2011-06-07 05:00:40','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/06/5842-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5862,1,'2011-06-06 22:05:30','2011-06-07 05:05:30','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5855\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\nNo, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhy is it that plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis toilet dilemma sprang up the night before my sister was set to arrive for <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">Wine and Dine 2011</a></strong>.  After plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWith the help of Dad, of course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.  Dad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut who cares when you\'re saving $120+?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI used to whine that I was woefully unhandy.  Not anymore!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5857\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>','Day 248:  I Fixed a Toilet.  Myself.  Oooh.  Ahhh.   ','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-10','','','2011-06-06 22:05:30','2011-06-07 05:05:30','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/06/5842-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(5863,1,'2011-06-06 22:08:03','2011-06-07 05:08:03','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5855\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\nNo, I won\'t be changing careers anytime soon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut after my latest plumbing fiasco about a month ago when I dished out ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS to a plumber for 15 MINUTES of garbage disposal unclogging, I vowed to don a Ms. Fix It hat for the next minor plumbing need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich happened last week when my toilet handle broke off.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhy is it that plumbing problems always strategically occur right before out-of-town company arrives.  Have you ever noticed this?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis toilet dilemma sprang up the night before my sister was set to fly into my fair city for <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/31/day-243-wine-and-dine-2011-kickoff/\" target=\"_blank\">Wine and Dine 2011</a></strong>.  When I discovered the problem, plumbers had shut down for the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found a 24 hour service on the Internet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Me:</span></strong> \"To get an idea of a cost comparison, could you please tell me what you would charge for a 15 minute garbage disposal unclogging?  You know -- like when oranges and carrot peels get stuck?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service: </strong></span> \"We have no way of giving you a quote over the phone.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> \"Sure you do.  Routine 15 minute declogging for Americans shoving too much stuff down the disposal.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Useless 24 Hour Service:</strong></span> \"Sorry.  We have no way of quoting you.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> \"Okaaaayyyy.  Have a nice night!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then decided that this was not rocket science.  That I could take this matter into my own hands.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWith the help of Dad, of course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI called Dad.  I described the problem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDad assessed and gave me a Plan of Action which involved sticking my hand into the toilet tank (\"It\'s actually clean water, Michelle\"), removing the old broken handle and lever thingie, and then asking Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy to help me select new handle and lever thingie (prererably metal to avoid future breakage.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSounded easy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it was.  After two tries.  Mr. Helpful Lowe\'s Guy sent me home with the wrong part on the first go-round.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut who cares when you\'re saving $120+?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI used to whine that I was woefully unhandy.  Not anymore!  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5857\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6010013-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>','Day 248:  I Fixed a Toilet.  Myself.  Oooh.  Ahhh.   ','','inherit','open','open','','5842-revision-11','','','2011-06-06 22:08:03','2011-06-07 05:08:03','',5842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/06/5842-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(5864,1,'2011-06-07 20:39:39','2011-06-08 03:39:39','','P6020014.JPG','','inherit','open','open','','p6020014-jpg','','','2011-06-07 20:39:39','2011-06-08 03:39:39','',5865,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5865,1,'2011-06-08 01:11:42','2011-06-08 08:11:42','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5864\" title=\"P6020014.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am the World\'s Worst Packer.  It\'s true.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIronically, I am quite organized about the whole process.  I am a \"list person\", so I have packing lists saved on my computer for every season.  All I have to do is pull up the list, alter the number of \"outfits\", and I am set.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that I\'m not sure how I manage to botch up my streamlined process and morph into World\'s Worst Packer, but I know exactly what goes wrong.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne of my mother\'s nicknames for me is Poky Little Puppy.  Remember the children\'s book of the same name?  Mom started calling me Poky Little Puppy during my childhood when she realized that I have a tendency to be...well...poky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo...When packing, after I am off to more than a really good start with my highly-detailed Virgo-created packing list, I take my sweet time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd often wind up packing up until way past my bedtime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then again the next morning (toiletries, make-up, etc.) up until the time my dear, sweet, selfless friends and airport chauffeurs (Lisa or Dina dahling) pick me up and find me in a harried and frazzled mess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Married women and women with significant others, be grateful for your built-in chauffeurs.  Treat them well.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 249, I helped my boss out with a last minute disaster/project, and I didn\'t leave work as early as anticipated.  I also needed to stop at the bank, mail my mother\'s and uncle\'s birthday cards, feed myself something decent, as well as feed and walk Little Miss B.  I wanted to finish packing and hit the hay at a decent hour so that I would arrive at the <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>refreshed and ready for a weekend guaranteed to steal sleep.  (Isn\'t that always the case at conferences???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCompetitive lass that I am, I set a goal for myself:  On this night I would achieve my Packing Personal Best.  I didn\'t have the luxury of dawdling for hours in a poky haze.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo hold myself accountable, I enlisted Cooleenie as my coach.  I reported in with my start time and set the timer for 60 minutes.  I would need to pause for dinner and Little Miss B\'s much needed walk and rabbit/lizard/quail/cricket hunt, but I would complete the packing in 60 minutes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am proud to report to you (and Coach Cooleenie before you) that I did indeed achieve my Packing Personal Best, despite overpacking way too many clothes and shoes that were never or barely worn during my trip.  (Isn\'t that always the case with packing???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can now call me Peppy Little Puppy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld\'s Worst Packer Who Is Now Peppier But Who Still Overpacks Clothes, Shoes and Books.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is always next time...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 249:  Packing Personal Best','','publish','open','closed','','day-249-packing-personal-best','','','2011-06-07 20:58:05','2011-06-08 03:58:05','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=5865',0,'post','',5),(6460,1,'2011-07-08 17:56:59','2011-07-09 00:56:59',':-D You may recall the day my soul exploded over Mondo Beyondo at The World Domination Summit.  Sam and I made a pact to sign up for the course together.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 282/Day 1, we were sent a whimsically illustrated e-book by Jen Lemen.  This.  Book.  Rocked.  My.  World.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read it at the kitchen over dinner (The Perfect Bruschetta which was even more perfect than the first time if that is possible!).  I couldn\'t wipe my tomatoey-basily fingers fast enough to start typing in the site\'s comment section:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I attended the World Domination Summit about a month ago, I had a strong intuitive feeling that I was going to receive “answers” that I have been seeking there. Andrea and Jen, when you presented and ignited my soul, I knew that Mondo Beyondo was the next step in my journey to uncover these “answers”. What I didn’t realize was that my answer would be unearthed on Day One!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can’t wait to see what “mystery and surprises” are ahead in the next 5 weeks! Much gratitude, Michelle\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe were then asked to choose a sentence from the book that resonated most powerfully within us.  Next, we wrote the sentence in a journal or someplace \"secret\" where we could tuck it away for the next 5 weeks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can\'t help but share my secret with you.  As long as you promise to hide it away and not remind me for the next 5 weeks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 282:  This.  Rocked.  My.  World.  ','','inherit','open','open','','6457-revision-2','','','2011-07-08 17:56:59','2011-07-09 00:56:59','',6457,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/08/6457-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5868,1,'2011-06-07 20:50:07','2011-06-08 03:50:07','<img style=\"float: left;\" title=\"P6020014.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"P6020014\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" />\n\nI am the World\'s Worst Packer.  It\'s true.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIronically, I am quite organized about the whole process.  I am a \"list person\", so I have packing lists saved on my computer for every season.  All I have to do is pull up the list, alter the number of \"outfits\", and I am set.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI would say that I\'m not sure how I manage to botch up my streamlined process and morph into World\'s Worst Packer, but I know exactly what goes wrong.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne of my mother\'s nicknames for me is Poky Little Puppy.  Remember the children\'s book of the same name?  Mom started calling me Poky Little Puppy during my childhood when she realized that I have a tendency to be...well...poky.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo...When packing, after I am off to more than a really good start with my highly detailed Virgo-created packing list, I take my sweet time.  And often wind up packing up until way past my bedtime.  And then again the next morning (toiletries, make-up, etc.) up until the time my dear, sweet, selfless friends and airport chauffeurs (Lisa or Dina dahling) pick me up in a harried and frazzled mess.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Married women and women with significant others, be grateful for your built-in chauffeurs.  Treat them well.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 249, I helped my boss out with a last minute disaster/project, and I didn\'t leave work as early as anticipated.  I also needed to stop at the bank, mail my mother\'s and uncle\'s birthday cards, feed myself something decent, as well as feed and walk Little Miss B.  I wanted to finish packing and hit the hay at a decent hour so that I would arrive at the <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>refreshed and ready for a weekend during which I was guaranteed to sacrifice sleep.  (Isn\'t that always the case at conferences???)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCompetitive lass that I am, I set a goal for myself:  On this night I would achieve my Packing Personal Best.  I didn\'t have the luxury of dawdling for hours in a poky haze.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo hold myself accountable, I enlisted Cooleenie as my coach.  I reported in with my start time and set the timer for 60 minutes.  I would need to pause for dinner and Little Miss B\'s much needed walk and rabbit/lizard/quail/cricket hunt, but I would complete the packing in 60 minutes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am proud to report to you (and Coach Cooleenie before you) that I did indeed achieve my Packing Personal Best, despite overpacking way too many clothes and shoes that were never or barely worn during my trip.  (Isn\'t that always the case with packing???)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can now call me Peppy Little Puppy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld\'s Worst Packer Who Is Now Peppier But Who Still Overpacks Clothes, Shoes, and Books.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere is always next time...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(photos of shoes and tennis -- what i wound up wearing.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 249:  Packing Personal Best','','inherit','open','open','','5865-revision','','','2011-06-07 20:50:07','2011-06-08 03:50:07','',5865,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/07/5865-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5869,1,'2011-06-07 20:50:51','2011-06-08 03:50:51','<img style=\"float: left;\" title=\"P6020014.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"P6020014\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" />\r\n\r\nI am the World\'s Worst Packer.  It\'s true.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIronically, I am quite organized about the whole process.  I am a \"list person\", so I have packing lists saved on my computer for every season.  All I have to do is pull up the list, alter the number of \"outfits\", and I am set.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that I\'m not sure how I manage to botch up my streamlined process and morph into World\'s Worst Packer, but I know exactly what goes wrong.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne of my mother\'s nicknames for me is Poky Little Puppy.  Remember the children\'s book of the same name?  Mom started calling me Poky Little Puppy during my childhood when she realized that I have a tendency to be...well...poky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo...When packing, after I am off to more than a really good start with my highly detailed Virgo-created packing list, I take my sweet time.  And often wind up packing up until way past my bedtime.  And then again the next morning (toiletries, make-up, etc.) up until the time my dear, sweet, selfless friends and airport chauffeurs (Lisa or Dina dahling) pick me up in a harried and frazzled mess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Married women and women with significant others, be grateful for your built-in chauffeurs.  Treat them well.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 249, I helped my boss out with a last minute disaster/project, and I didn\'t leave work as early as anticipated.  I also needed to stop at the bank, mail my mother\'s and uncle\'s birthday cards, feed myself something decent, as well as feed and walk Little Miss B.  I wanted to finish packing and hit the hay at a decent hour so that I would arrive at the <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>refreshed and ready for a weekend during which I was guaranteed to sacrifice sleep.  (Isn\'t that always the case at conferences???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCompetitive lass that I am, I set a goal for myself:  On this night I would achieve my Packing Personal Best.  I didn\'t have the luxury of dawdling for hours in a poky haze.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo hold myself accountable, I enlisted Cooleenie as my coach.  I reported in with my start time and set the timer for 60 minutes.  I would need to pause for dinner and Little Miss B\'s much needed walk and rabbit/lizard/quail/cricket hunt, but I would complete the packing in 60 minutes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am proud to report to you (and Coach Cooleenie before you) that I did indeed achieve my Packing Personal Best, despite overpacking way too many clothes and shoes that were never or barely worn during my trip.  (Isn\'t that always the case with packing???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can now call me Peppy Little Puppy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld\'s Worst Packer Who Is Now Peppier But Who Still Overpacks Clothes, Shoes and Books.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is always next time...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(photos of shoes and tennis -- what i wound up wearing.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 249:  Packing Personal Best','','inherit','open','open','','5865-revision-2','','','2011-06-07 20:50:51','2011-06-08 03:50:51','',5865,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/07/5865-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5874,1,'2011-06-10 01:11:09','2011-06-10 08:11:09','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5896\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>in his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines gets you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa^.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"334\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>^ <a href=\"http://melissadinwiddie.com\" target=\"_blank\">http://melissadinwiddie.com </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','publish','open','closed','','day-250-let-the-world-domination-summit-begin','','http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\nhttp://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/','2011-06-09 22:17:53','2011-06-10 05:17:53','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=5874',0,'post','',6),(5870,1,'2011-06-07 20:52:09','2011-06-08 03:52:09','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5864\" title=\"P6020014.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am the World\'s Worst Packer.  It\'s true.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIronically, I am quite organized about the whole process.  I am a \"list person\", so I have packing lists saved on my computer for every season.  All I have to do is pull up the list, alter the number of \"outfits\", and I am set.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that I\'m not sure how I manage to botch up my streamlined process and morph into World\'s Worst Packer, but I know exactly what goes wrong.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne of my mother\'s nicknames for me is Poky Little Puppy.  Remember the children\'s book of the same name?  Mom started calling me Poky Little Puppy during my childhood when she realized that I have a tendency to be...well...poky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo...When packing, after I am off to more than a really good start with my highly detailed Virgo-created packing list, I take my sweet time.  And often wind up packing up until way past my bedtime.  And then again the next morning (toiletries, make-up, etc.) up until the time my dear, sweet, selfless friends and airport chauffeurs (Lisa or Dina dahling) pick me up in a harried and frazzled mess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Married women and women with significant others, be grateful for your built-in chauffeurs.  Treat them well.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 249, I helped my boss out with a last minute disaster/project, and I didn\'t leave work as early as anticipated.  I also needed to stop at the bank, mail my mother\'s and uncle\'s birthday cards, feed myself something decent, as well as feed and walk Little Miss B.  I wanted to finish packing and hit the hay at a decent hour so that I would arrive at the <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>refreshed and ready for a weekend during which I was guaranteed to sacrifice sleep.  (Isn\'t that always the case at conferences???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCompetitive lass that I am, I set a goal for myself:  On this night I would achieve my Packing Personal Best.  I didn\'t have the luxury of dawdling for hours in a poky haze.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo hold myself accountable, I enlisted Cooleenie as my coach.  I reported in with my start time and set the timer for 60 minutes.  I would need to pause for dinner and Little Miss B\'s much needed walk and rabbit/lizard/quail/cricket hunt, but I would complete the packing in 60 minutes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am proud to report to you (and Coach Cooleenie before you) that I did indeed achieve my Packing Personal Best, despite overpacking way too many clothes and shoes that were never or barely worn during my trip.  (Isn\'t that always the case with packing???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can now call me Peppy Little Puppy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld\'s Worst Packer Who Is Now Peppier But Who Still Overpacks Clothes, Shoes and Books.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is always next time...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(photos of shoes and tennis -- what i wound up wearing.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 249:  Packing Personal Best','','inherit','open','open','','5865-revision-3','','','2011-06-07 20:52:09','2011-06-08 03:52:09','',5865,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/07/5865-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5871,1,'2011-06-07 20:53:13','2011-06-08 03:53:13','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5864\" title=\"P6020014.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am the World\'s Worst Packer.  It\'s true.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIronically, I am quite organized about the whole process.  I am a \"list person\", so I have packing lists saved on my computer for every season.  All I have to do is pull up the list, alter the number of \"outfits\", and I am set.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that I\'m not sure how I manage to botch up my streamlined process and morph into World\'s Worst Packer, but I know exactly what goes wrong.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne of my mother\'s nicknames for me is Poky Little Puppy.  Remember the children\'s book of the same name?  Mom started calling me Poky Little Puppy during my childhood when she realized that I have a tendency to be...well...poky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo...When packing, after I am off to more than a really good start with my highly-detailed Virgo-created packing list, I take my sweet time.  And often wind up packing up until way past my bedtime.  And then again the next morning (toiletries, make-up, etc.) up until the time my dear, sweet, selfless friends and airport chauffeurs (Lisa or Dina dahling) pick me up in a harried and frazzled mess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Married women and women with significant others, be grateful for your built-in chauffeurs.  Treat them well.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 249, I helped my boss out with a last minute disaster/project, and I didn\'t leave work as early as anticipated.  I also needed to stop at the bank, mail my mother\'s and uncle\'s birthday cards, feed myself something decent, as well as feed and walk Little Miss B.  I wanted to finish packing and hit the hay at a decent hour so that I would arrive at the <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>refreshed and ready for a weekend during which I was guaranteed to sacrifice sleep.  (Isn\'t that always the case at conferences???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCompetitive lass that I am, I set a goal for myself:  On this night I would achieve my Packing Personal Best.  I didn\'t have the luxury of dawdling for hours in a poky haze.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo hold myself accountable, I enlisted Cooleenie as my coach.  I reported in with my start time and set the timer for 60 minutes.  I would need to pause for dinner and Little Miss B\'s much needed walk and rabbit/lizard/quail/cricket hunt, but I would complete the packing in 60 minutes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am proud to report to you (and Coach Cooleenie before you) that I did indeed achieve my Packing Personal Best, despite overpacking way too many clothes and shoes that were never or barely worn during my trip.  (Isn\'t that always the case with packing???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can now call me Peppy Little Puppy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld\'s Worst Packer Who Is Now Peppier But Who Still Overpacks Clothes, Shoes and Books.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is always next time...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(photos of shoes and tennis -- what i wound up wearing.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 249:  Packing Personal Best','','inherit','open','open','','5865-revision-4','','','2011-06-07 20:53:13','2011-06-08 03:53:13','',5865,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/07/5865-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5872,1,'2011-06-07 20:54:33','2011-06-08 03:54:33','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5864\" title=\"P6020014.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am the World\'s Worst Packer.  It\'s true.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIronically, I am quite organized about the whole process.  I am a \"list person\", so I have packing lists saved on my computer for every season.  All I have to do is pull up the list, alter the number of \"outfits\", and I am set.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that I\'m not sure how I manage to botch up my streamlined process and morph into World\'s Worst Packer, but I know exactly what goes wrong.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne of my mother\'s nicknames for me is Poky Little Puppy.  Remember the children\'s book of the same name?  Mom started calling me Poky Little Puppy during my childhood when she realized that I have a tendency to be...well...poky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo...When packing, after I am off to more than a really good start with my highly-detailed Virgo-created packing list, I take my sweet time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd often wind up packing up until way past my bedtime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then again the next morning (toiletries, make-up, etc.) up until the time my dear, sweet, selfless friends and airport chauffeurs (Lisa or Dina dahling) pick me up and find me in a harried and frazzled mess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Married women and women with significant others, be grateful for your built-in chauffeurs.  Treat them well.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 249, I helped my boss out with a last minute disaster/project, and I didn\'t leave work as early as anticipated.  I also needed to stop at the bank, mail my mother\'s and uncle\'s birthday cards, feed myself something decent, as well as feed and walk Little Miss B.  I wanted to finish packing and hit the hay at a decent hour so that I would arrive at the <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>refreshed and ready for a weekend during which I was guaranteed to sacrifice sleep.  (Isn\'t that always the case at conferences???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCompetitive lass that I am, I set a goal for myself:  On this night I would achieve my Packing Personal Best.  I didn\'t have the luxury of dawdling for hours in a poky haze.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo hold myself accountable, I enlisted Cooleenie as my coach.  I reported in with my start time and set the timer for 60 minutes.  I would need to pause for dinner and Little Miss B\'s much needed walk and rabbit/lizard/quail/cricket hunt, but I would complete the packing in 60 minutes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am proud to report to you (and Coach Cooleenie before you) that I did indeed achieve my Packing Personal Best, despite overpacking way too many clothes and shoes that were never or barely worn during my trip.  (Isn\'t that always the case with packing???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can now call me Peppy Little Puppy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld\'s Worst Packer Who Is Now Peppier But Who Still Overpacks Clothes, Shoes and Books.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is always next time...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(photos of shoes and tennis -- what i wound up wearing.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 249:  Packing Personal Best','','inherit','open','open','','5865-revision-5','','','2011-06-07 20:54:33','2011-06-08 03:54:33','',5865,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/07/5865-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5873,1,'2011-06-07 20:56:48','2011-06-08 03:56:48','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5864\" title=\"P6020014.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6020014-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am the World\'s Worst Packer.  It\'s true.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIronically, I am quite organized about the whole process.  I am a \"list person\", so I have packing lists saved on my computer for every season.  All I have to do is pull up the list, alter the number of \"outfits\", and I am set.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI would say that I\'m not sure how I manage to botch up my streamlined process and morph into World\'s Worst Packer, but I know exactly what goes wrong.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne of my mother\'s nicknames for me is Poky Little Puppy.  Remember the children\'s book of the same name?  Mom started calling me Poky Little Puppy during my childhood when she realized that I have a tendency to be...well...poky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo...When packing, after I am off to more than a really good start with my highly-detailed Virgo-created packing list, I take my sweet time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd often wind up packing up until way past my bedtime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then again the next morning (toiletries, make-up, etc.) up until the time my dear, sweet, selfless friends and airport chauffeurs (Lisa or Dina dahling) pick me up and find me in a harried and frazzled mess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Married women and women with significant others, be grateful for your built-in chauffeurs.  Treat them well.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 249, I helped my boss out with a last minute disaster/project, and I didn\'t leave work as early as anticipated.  I also needed to stop at the bank, mail my mother\'s and uncle\'s birthday cards, feed myself something decent, as well as feed and walk Little Miss B.  I wanted to finish packing and hit the hay at a decent hour so that I would arrive at the <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>refreshed and ready for a weekend guaranteed to steal sleep.  (Isn\'t that always the case at conferences???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCompetitive lass that I am, I set a goal for myself:  On this night I would achieve my Packing Personal Best.  I didn\'t have the luxury of dawdling for hours in a poky haze.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo hold myself accountable, I enlisted Cooleenie as my coach.  I reported in with my start time and set the timer for 60 minutes.  I would need to pause for dinner and Little Miss B\'s much needed walk and rabbit/lizard/quail/cricket hunt, but I would complete the packing in 60 minutes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am proud to report to you (and Coach Cooleenie before you) that I did indeed achieve my Packing Personal Best, despite overpacking way too many clothes and shoes that were never or barely worn during my trip.  (Isn\'t that always the case with packing???)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can now call me Peppy Little Puppy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld\'s Worst Packer Who Is Now Peppier But Who Still Overpacks Clothes, Shoes and Books.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is always next time...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(photos of shoes and tennis -- what i wound up wearing.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 249:  Packing Personal Best','','inherit','open','open','','5865-revision-6','','','2011-06-07 20:56:48','2011-06-08 03:56:48','',5865,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/07/5865-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5875,1,'2011-06-08 19:11:17','2011-06-09 02:11:17','One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau author of the <strong>blog</strong> and <strong>book</strong> <em>The Art of Nonconformity</em> announced that he would host the first ever <strong>World Domination Summit</strong> at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  More characteristic of me, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have evolved into The <strong>Peppy Little Puppy <span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">these days. </span></strong>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach the day before and the day of The World Domination Summit kickoff.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work Life, Blog and Puppy, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies, but they were duly noted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nolympic torch and everything!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nmastermind group\n\n&nbsp;\n\nsee crackberry\n\nsam -- cab','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision','','','2011-06-08 19:11:17','2011-06-09 02:11:17','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/5874-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5876,1,'2011-06-08 19:13:06','2011-06-09 02:13:06','One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau author of the <strong>blog</strong> and <strong>book</strong> <em>The Art of Nonconformity</em> announced that he would host the first ever <strong>World Domination Summit</strong> at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  More characteristic of me, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have evolved into The <strong>Peppy Little Puppy <span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">these days. </span></strong>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach the day before and the day of The World Domination Summit kickoff.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work Life, Blog and Puppy, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies, but they were duly noted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nolympic torch and everything!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nmastermind group\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nsee crackberry\r\n\r\nsam -- cab, Melissa, etc.','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-2','','','2011-06-08 19:13:06','2011-06-09 02:13:06','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/5874-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5877,1,'2011-06-08 20:43:46','2011-06-09 03:43:46','One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau author of the <strong>blog</strong> and <strong>book</strong> <em>The Art of Nonconformity</em> announced that he would host the first ever <strong>World Domination Summit</strong> at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into The <strong>Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work Life, Blog and <strong>Puppy</strong>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overpacked suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris suggested in his welcome email.  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He isn\'t attached to make-up and hair products because...please refer back to \"A\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHANKFULLY, a woman with some sense and a bit of extra cash tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore I arrived to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turns out, is now my newest lifelong friend.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs fate would have it, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat happened to me regarding a Mastermind Group as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure how to act now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity in Portland right before the World Domination Summit kickoff, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotel, and an equally speedy cab driver zips on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (Michael Bungay Stanier and Jen Louden) as well as new brilliant minds (Molly and Mark).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps while the ever-humble Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-3','','','2011-06-08 20:43:46','2011-06-09 03:43:46','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/5874-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5878,1,'2011-06-08 20:49:43','2011-06-09 03:49:43','One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau author of the <strong>blog</strong> and <strong>book</strong> <em>The Art of Nonconformity</em> announced that he would host the first ever <strong>World Domination Summit</strong> at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into The <strong>Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work Life, Blog and <strong>Puppy</strong>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overpacked suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris suggested in his welcome email.  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He isn\'t attached to make-up and hair products because...please refer back to \"A\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHANKFULLY, a woman with some sense and a bit of extra cash tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore I arrived to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turns out, is now my newest lifelong friend.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs fate would have it, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat happened to me regarding a Mastermind Group as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure how to act now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity in Portland right before the World Domination Summit kickoff, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotel, and an equally speedy cab driver zips on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (Michael Bungay Stanier and Jen Louden) as well as new brilliant minds (Molly and Mark).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps while the ever-humble Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-4','','','2011-06-08 20:49:43','2011-06-09 03:49:43','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/5874-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5879,1,'2011-06-09 17:04:37','2011-06-10 00:04:37','One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity</em> announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris suggested in his welcome email.  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He isn\'t attached to make-up and hair products because...please refer back to \"A\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHANKFULLY, a woman with some sense and a bit of extra cash tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBefore I arrived to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turns out, is now my newest lifelong friend.)  She has a brilliant photo blog at samfrancisco.com.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs fate would have it, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat happened to me regarding a Mastermind Group as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure how to act now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity in Portland right before the World Domination Summit kickoff, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotel, and an equally speedy cab driver zips on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (Michael Bungay Stanier and Jen Louden) as well as new brilliant minds (Molly and Mark).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps while the ever-humble Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-5','','','2011-06-09 17:04:37','2011-06-10 00:04:37','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5880,1,'2011-06-09 20:18:01','2011-06-10 03:18:01','One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity</em> announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. suggested in his welcome email.  Chris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack mi because he isn\'t attached to make-up and hair products because...please refer back to \"A\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who agrees with me tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my newest lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/category/365/\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.com</a></strong>.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group immediately before the WDS Opening Party.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps while the ever-humble Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, what a night!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo be continued . . .','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-6','','','2011-06-09 20:18:01','2011-06-10 03:18:01','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5881,1,'2011-06-09 20:33:50','2011-06-10 03:33:50','','5806644647_f879f0caac_b','','inherit','open','open','','5806644647_f879f0caac_b','','','2011-06-09 20:33:50','2011-06-10 03:33:50','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5882,1,'2011-06-09 20:35:04','2011-06-10 03:35:04','','5796655275_83ca14c6db','See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That\'s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( ','inherit','open','open','','5796655275_83ca14c6db','','','2011-06-09 20:35:04','2011-06-10 03:35:04','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5883,1,'2011-06-09 20:36:34','2011-06-10 03:36:34','','5816828066_706110ea7f','','inherit','open','open','','5816828066_706110ea7f','','','2011-06-09 20:36:34','2011-06-10 03:36:34','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5884,1,'2011-06-09 20:40:51','2011-06-10 03:40:51','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity</em> announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. suggested in his welcome email.  Chris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who agrees with me tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my newest lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/category/365/\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.com</a></strong>.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group immediately before the WDS Opening Party.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, what a night!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo be continued . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n***\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPhotos courtesy of <a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGroovy Torch created by John T. Unger','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-7','','','2011-06-09 20:40:51','2011-06-10 03:40:51','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5887,1,'2011-06-09 20:46:34','2011-06-10 03:46:34','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.  Chris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHANKFULLY, a woman is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/category/365/\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.com</a></strong>.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group immediately before the WDS Opening Party.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, what a night!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo be continued . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n***\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-10','','','2011-06-09 20:46:34','2011-06-10 03:46:34','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(5885,1,'2011-06-09 20:41:49','2011-06-10 03:41:49','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity</em> announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. suggested in his welcome email.  Chris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who agrees with me tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my newest lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/category/365/\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.com</a></strong>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group immediately before the WDS Opening Party.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-8','','','2011-06-09 20:41:49','2011-06-10 03:41:49','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5886,1,'2011-06-09 20:42:32','2011-06-10 03:42:32','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity</em> announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. suggested in his welcome email.  Chris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who agrees with me tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my newest lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/category/365/\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.com</a></strong>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group immediately before the WDS Opening Party.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-9','','','2011-06-09 20:42:32','2011-06-10 03:42:32','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5888,1,'2011-06-09 20:47:19','2011-06-10 03:47:19','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.  Chris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/category/365/\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.com</a></strong>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-11','','','2011-06-09 20:47:19','2011-06-10 03:47:19','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(5889,1,'2011-06-09 20:49:18','2011-06-10 03:49:18','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.  Chris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/category/365/\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.com</a></strong>.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, what a night!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo be continued . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n***\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-12','','','2011-06-09 20:49:18','2011-06-10 03:49:18','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(5890,1,'2011-06-09 20:56:07','2011-06-10 03:56:07','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/category/365/\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.com</a></strong>.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, what a night!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo be continued . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n***\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-13','','','2011-06-09 20:56:07','2011-06-10 03:56:07','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(5891,1,'2011-06-09 22:09:18','2011-06-10 05:09:18','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5896\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>in his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"334\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-autosave','','','2011-06-09 22:09:18','2011-06-10 05:09:18','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5897,1,'2011-06-09 21:43:00','2011-06-10 04:43:00','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>in his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-18','','','2011-06-09 21:43:00','2011-06-10 04:43:00','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(5892,1,'2011-06-09 20:57:23','2011-06-10 03:57:23','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/category/365/\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.com</a></strong>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-14','','','2011-06-09 20:57:23','2011-06-10 03:57:23','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(5893,1,'2011-06-09 20:58:57','2011-06-10 03:58:57','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">)</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-15','','','2011-06-09 20:58:57','2011-06-10 03:58:57','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(5894,1,'2011-06-09 20:59:58','2011-06-10 03:59:58','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-16','','','2011-06-09 20:59:58','2011-06-10 03:59:58','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(5895,1,'2011-06-09 21:24:40','2011-06-10 04:24:40','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5881\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>at his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-17','','','2011-06-09 21:24:40','2011-06-10 04:24:40','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(5896,1,'2011-06-09 21:49:20','2011-06-10 04:49:20','','5806644647_f879f0caac_b','','inherit','open','open','','5806644647_f879f0caac_b-2','','','2011-06-09 21:49:20','2011-06-10 04:49:20','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5898,1,'2011-06-09 21:55:34','2011-06-10 04:55:34','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5896\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>in his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"334\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-19','','','2011-06-09 21:55:34','2011-06-10 04:55:34','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(5899,1,'2011-06-09 21:58:45','2011-06-10 04:58:45','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5896\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>in his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines get you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"334\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-20','','','2011-06-09 21:58:45','2011-06-10 04:58:45','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(5900,1,'2011-06-09 22:12:15','2011-06-10 05:12:15','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5896\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>in his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines gets you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"334\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-21','','','2011-06-09 22:12:15','2011-06-10 05:12:15','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(5901,1,'2011-06-09 22:12:25','2011-06-10 05:12:25','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5896\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>in his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines gets you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"334\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-22','','','2011-06-09 22:12:25','2011-06-10 05:12:25','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(5902,1,'2011-06-09 22:16:34','2011-06-10 05:16:34','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5896\" title=\"5806644647_f879f0caac_b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806644647_f879f0caac_b1-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>One day last fall, Chris Guillebeau, author of the <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>blog</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1276834363&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>book</strong> </a><em>The Art of Nonconformity, </em>announced that he would host the first ever <a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>World Domination Summit</strong> </a>in his home base of Portland, Oregon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUncharacteristically, I acted fast and enrolled.  Usually, I would ponder for days, weeks, months, and then sign up when it\'s too late.  (Lucky for me, I seem to have recently evolved into <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/08/day-249-packing-personal-best/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Peppy Little Puppy<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">. </span></strong></a>WDS sold out 6 months in advance.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI enlisted to join this crusade without knowing a living, breathing soul attending the conference.  Even though the world sees me as Ms. Extrovert (friendly, former Theatre Diva, teacher of the masses), I and the <a href=\"http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/counselor.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Myers-Briggs Personality Peeps</strong></a> consider me Ms. Introvert (painfully shy as a child, loner tendencies, writer).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I would be lying to you if I didn\'t confess that butterflies fluttered by in my stomach as The World Domination Summit approached.  With my more-than-slightly overpacked schedule of Work, Life, Blog and<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>Puppy</strong></a>, I didn\'t have much time to chase after the butterflies.  Instead, I harnessed their energy and pushed myself out of The Zone of Comfort.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The night before the conference, I knew that there was no way in hell that I would be able to lug my overstuffed suitcase and computer bag from the airport via train/bus/light rail or whatever it was that Chris G. thoughtfully suggested in his welcome email.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChris and I don\'t see eye-to-eye on airport transit because:  A)  He\'s a guy.  B)  He\'s a guy that has traveled to almost every country and all 50 states which makes him a Packing Expert.  C)  He is able to pack minimally because he isn\'t attached to make-up, hair products, or clunky summer wedges because...please refer back to \"A\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHANKFULLY, a woman who is at my eye level (figuratively and literally) tweeted about sharing a cab from the airport and SERENDIPITOUSLY, she just so happened to fly in from San Francisco at the same time as me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn that cab ride to my hotel, I made a new friend.  (Who, as it turned out over the course of the weekend, is now my lifelong friend.  Check out her brilliant photo blog at <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">http://</a><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">samfrancisco.me</a></strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn a second fateful-in-a-great way moment, I miraculously arrived to my hotel in time to make it to a panel of authors and coaches sharing their experience with their Mastermind Group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>You know how you hear about something somewhere and it piques your interest?  And then you hear about it again a few weeks later, and you\'re a bit unnerved and take note?  A couple weeks pass and you hear about it <em>yet again</em>, and it gives you goosebumps and you know that <em>you must act now?</em></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat happened to me regarding  Mastermind Groups as of late.  But I wasn\'t quite sure <em>how</em> to act now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw a tweet about this opportunity, I knew that I had to be there.  Although the odds didn\'t look good considering that my flight arrived only an hour prior to the meeting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when the universe insists that <em>you must act now</em>, then Southwest Airlines gets you to the airport 10 minutes early, a crazy cab driver zips you and your newfound friend to your hotels, and an equally speedy cab driver high tails you on over to the Mastermind Meetup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou then listen, absorb, goosebump some more, and meet authors that you\'ve been reading for years (<strong><a href=\"http://www.BoxOfCrayons.biz/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Bungay Stanier</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://jenniferlouden.com/about-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Louden</a></strong>) as well as brilliant minds new to you (<strong><a href=\"http://www.shaboominc.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Gordon</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.heartofbusiness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Silver</a></strong>).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf that isn\'t cool enough, you are next thrust amidst droves of other interesting, like-minded peeps at the WDS Opening Party at the Portland Art Museum . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5882\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"See the girl in the pink shirt front and center?  That&#39;s another new friend, Melissa.  I am to the right of her in this photo and...blocked.  :-( \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5882\" title=\"5796655275_83ca14c6db\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5796655275_83ca14c6db.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwhile the ever-humble and gracious Chris Guillebeau thanks everyone for coming and lights The Torch of Inspiration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5883\" title=\"5816828066_706110ea7f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5816828066_706110ea7f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"334\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, what a night!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo be continued . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhotos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGroovy Torch created by <strong><a href=\"http://www.johntunger.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John T. Unger </a></strong>','Day 250:  Let The World Domination Summit Begin!','','inherit','open','open','','5874-revision-23','','','2011-06-09 22:16:34','2011-06-10 05:16:34','',5874,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/09/5874-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(5903,1,'2011-06-11 01:11:44','2011-06-11 08:11:44','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5797994508_6955858c54.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5912\" title=\"5797994508_6955858c54\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5797994508_6955858c54-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>I posted on the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\">Diary of a Late Bloomer facebook page</a></strong> the other day that I had fallen and couldn\'t get up.  Remember that silly commercial from the 80s?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s really not all that dramatic.  I\'ve simply fallen way, waaayyyyyy behind in blog posts.  Sis in town and<strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"> World Domination Summit</a></strong> in combination with Work, Life, Blog and Puppy make writing and posting once a day a bit of an impossibility time-wise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI realize that I am not the center of the Universe, so I need to just get over myself and catch up.  It will be good practice for me to be short and sweet for a change.  Starting Monday, expect 2 posts a day until we are back on schedule.  Hurrah!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Day 251 was Summer Camp for Grown Ups aka The World Domination Summit. </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>fun, Fun, FUN! </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever been inside the Apple Store? <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\">All the employees are exceptionally perky because they partake of the Magic Apple Kool-Aid.</a></strong> Everything is wonderful.  Everything is groovy.  Everything is grand because Apple rules the Universe, and whoa -- aren\'t we lucky to be part of such a cool cult?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake the Apple Store scenario and put it on steroids.  THAT, my friends, was the general mojo of The World Domination Summit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe WDS Kool-Aid was just as yummy and just as addictive as Apple\'s.  May I have some more, please?  (Why, yes, I will in 2012!  <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/register/\" target=\"_blank\">Want to come with me?</a></strong>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Soul-scintillating highlights of My 1st Day at World Domination Summer Camp:</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Thought-provoking, out-of-the-box speakers who blazed their own trails and encourage/teach others to do the same: <strong><a href=\"http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Pam,</a> <a href=\"http://zenhabits.net/\" target=\"_blank\">Leo,</a> <a href=\"http://whitehottruth.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Danielle,</a> <a href=\"http://www.legalnomads.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Jodi,</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.chookooloonks.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Karen</a></strong></li>\r\n	<li>The Farmer\'s Market a block away for a savory crepe lunch (Yes, it\'s always about the food for me.)</li>\r\n	<li>Speaking of which, free food and coffee/tea at the Museum for Snack Time</li>\r\n	<li>Speaking of which, how amazingly creative is Chris Guillebeau for choosing the <strong><a href=\"http://portlandartmuseum.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Portland Art Museum</a></strong> for this conference?!?!  What a setting!</li>\r\n	<li>New Friends (<strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">Sam,</a> <a href=\"http://melissadinwiddie.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Melissa,</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/#!/sswoolley\" target=\"_blank\">Sarah,</a> </strong><a href=\"http://blog.gilldev.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Jason</strong>, </a>and many more!)</li>\r\n	<li>Chris G. and crew for tirelessly volunteering their time to enrich the lives of others.  (Chris actually lost money on this event.  :-(  Hopefully, his good karma will catch up with him from other sources.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">Buy his book</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">. </a> It\'s stellar.  I\'ve read it.  And you know how picky I am.  Do you think I would haul my cookies all the way to Portland for anyone but the best???)</li>\r\n	<li>Bollywood Dance Break!</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5800848654_ba1a88ba12.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5913\" title=\"5800848654_ba1a88ba12\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5800848654_ba1a88ba12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And finally...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The After Hours Sweet Tooth Tour (I repeat:  it\'s always about the food for me.)</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806545251_71f6f6858e1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5917\" title=\"5806545251_71f6f6858e\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806545251_71f6f6858e1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">***</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Photos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">See all WDS photos<strong><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisguillebeau\" target=\"_blank\"> here. </a> </strong></span>','Day 251:  Summer Camp for Grown Ups ','','publish','open','closed','','day-251-camp-for-grown-ups','','http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/','2011-06-10 22:40:37','2011-06-11 05:40:37','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=5903',0,'post','',4),(5904,1,'2011-06-10 21:05:37','2011-06-11 04:05:37','I posted on the Diary of a Late Bloomer facebook page the other day that I had fallen and couldn\'t get up.  Remember that silly commercial from the 80s?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s really not all that dramatic.  I\'ve simply fallen way, waaayyyyyy behind in blog posts.  Sis in town and World Domination Summit in combination with Work, Life, Blog and Puppy make writing and posting once a day a bit of an impossibility time-wise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI realize that I am not the center of the Universe, so I need to just get over myself and catch up.  It will be good practice for me to be short and sweet for a change.  Starting Monday, expect 2 posts a day until we are back on schedule.  Hurrah!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Day 251 was Summer Camp for Grown Ups aka The World Domination Summit. </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>fun, Fun, FUN! </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever been inside the Apple Store?  All the employees are exceptionally perky because they partake of the Magic Apple Kool-Aid.  Everything is wonderful.  Everything is groovy.  Everything is grand because Apple rules the Universe, and whoa -- aren\'t we lucky to be part of such a cool cult?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake the Apple Store scenario and put it on steroids.  THAT, my friends, was the general mojo of The World Domination Summit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe WDS Kool-Aid was just as yummy and just as addictive as Apple\'s.  May I have some more, please?  (Why, yes, I will in 2012!  Want to come with me?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Soul-scintillating highlights of My 1st Day at World Domination Summer Camp:</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">Thought-provoking, out-of-the-box speakers who blazed their own trails and encourage/teach others to the same: </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">Farmer\'s Market a block away for lunch (Yes, it\'s always about the food for me.)</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">Speaking of which, free food and coffee/tea at the Museum for Snack Time</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">Speaking of which, how amazing is Chris Guillebeau for choosing the Portland Art Museum for this conference?!?!  What a setting!</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">New Friends</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">The Sweet Tooth Tour after hours (Yes, it\'s always about the food.)</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">\n</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nsee crackberry\n\nnotebook','Day 251:  Camp for Grown Ups ','','inherit','open','open','','5903-revision','','','2011-06-10 21:05:37','2011-06-11 04:05:37','',5903,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/10/5903-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5905,1,'2011-06-10 21:18:27','2011-06-11 04:18:27','I posted on the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\">Diary of a Late Bloomer facebook page</a></strong> the other day that I had fallen and couldn\'t get up.  Remember that silly commercial from the 80s?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s really not all that dramatic.  I\'ve simply fallen way, waaayyyyyy behind in blog posts.  Sis in town and<strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"> World Domination Summit</a></strong> in combination with Work, Life, Blog and Puppy make writing and posting once a day a bit of an impossibility time-wise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI realize that I am not the center of the Universe, so I need to just get over myself and catch up.  It will be good practice for me to be short and sweet for a change.  Starting Monday, expect 2 posts a day until we are back on schedule.  Hurrah!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Day 251 was Summer Camp for Grown Ups aka The World Domination Summit. </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>fun, Fun, FUN! </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever been inside the Apple Store? <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\">All the employees are exceptionally perky because they partake of the Magic Apple Kool-Aid.</a></strong> Everything is wonderful.  Everything is groovy.  Everything is grand because Apple rules the Universe, and whoa -- aren\'t we lucky to be part of such a cool cult?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake the Apple Store scenario and put it on steroids.  THAT, my friends, was the general mojo of The World Domination Summit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe WDS Kool-Aid was just as yummy and just as addictive as Apple\'s.  May I have some more, please?  (Why, yes, I will in 2012!  <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/register/\" target=\"_blank\">Want to come with me?</a></strong>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Soul-scintillating highlights of My 1st Day at World Domination Summer Camp:</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thought-provoking, out-of-the-box speakers who blazed their own trails and encourage/teach others to do the same: </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Farmer\'s Market a block away for lunch (Yes, it\'s always about the food for me.)</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Speaking of which, free food and coffee/tea at the Museum for Snack Time</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Speaking of which, how amazingly creative is Chris Guillebeau for choosing the <strong><a href=\"http://portlandartmuseum.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Portland Art Museum</a></strong> for this conference?!?!  What a setting!</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">New Friends (Sam, Melissa, Jason, and many more!)</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Chris G. and crew for tirelessly volunteering their time to enrich the lives of others.  (Chris actually lost money on this event.  :-(  Hopefully, his good karma will catch up with him from other sources.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">Buy his book</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">. </a> It\'s stellar.  I\'ve read it.  And you know how picky I am.  Do you think I would haul my cookies to Portland for anyone but the best???) </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And finally...</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Sweet Tooth Tour after hours (Yes, it\'s always about the food.)</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">\n</span>','Day 251:  Camp for Grown Ups ','','inherit','open','open','','5903-revision-2','','','2011-06-10 21:18:27','2011-06-11 04:18:27','',5903,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/10/5903-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5906,1,'2011-06-10 21:18:42','2011-06-11 04:18:42','I posted on the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\">Diary of a Late Bloomer facebook page</a></strong> the other day that I had fallen and couldn\'t get up.  Remember that silly commercial from the 80s?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s really not all that dramatic.  I\'ve simply fallen way, waaayyyyyy behind in blog posts.  Sis in town and<strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"> World Domination Summit</a></strong> in combination with Work, Life, Blog and Puppy make writing and posting once a day a bit of an impossibility time-wise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI realize that I am not the center of the Universe, so I need to just get over myself and catch up.  It will be good practice for me to be short and sweet for a change.  Starting Monday, expect 2 posts a day until we are back on schedule.  Hurrah!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Day 251 was Summer Camp for Grown Ups aka The World Domination Summit. </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>fun, Fun, FUN! </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever been inside the Apple Store? <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\">All the employees are exceptionally perky because they partake of the Magic Apple Kool-Aid.</a></strong> Everything is wonderful.  Everything is groovy.  Everything is grand because Apple rules the Universe, and whoa -- aren\'t we lucky to be part of such a cool cult?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake the Apple Store scenario and put it on steroids.  THAT, my friends, was the general mojo of The World Domination Summit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe WDS Kool-Aid was just as yummy and just as addictive as Apple\'s.  May I have some more, please?  (Why, yes, I will in 2012!  <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/register/\" target=\"_blank\">Want to come with me?</a></strong>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Soul-scintillating highlights of My 1st Day at World Domination Summer Camp:</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thought-provoking, out-of-the-box speakers who blazed their own trails and encourage/teach others to do the same: </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Farmer\'s Market a block away for lunch (Yes, it\'s always about the food for me.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Speaking of which, free food and coffee/tea at the Museum for Snack Time</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Speaking of which, how amazingly creative is Chris Guillebeau for choosing the <strong><a href=\"http://portlandartmuseum.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Portland Art Museum</a></strong> for this conference?!?!  What a setting!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">New Friends (Sam, Melissa, Jason, and many more!)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Chris G. and crew for tirelessly volunteering their time to enrich the lives of others.  (Chris actually lost money on this event.  :-(  Hopefully, his good karma will catch up with him from other sources.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">Buy his book</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">. </a> It\'s stellar.  I\'ve read it.  And you know how picky I am.  Do you think I would haul my cookies to Portland for anyone but the best???) </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And finally...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Sweet Tooth Tour after hours (Yes, it\'s always about the food.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">\r\n</span>','Day 251:  Camp for Grown Ups ','','inherit','open','open','','5903-revision-3','','','2011-06-10 21:18:42','2011-06-11 04:18:42','',5903,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/10/5903-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5907,1,'2011-06-10 22:40:07','2011-06-11 05:40:07','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5797994508_6955858c54.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5912\" title=\"5797994508_6955858c54\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5797994508_6955858c54-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>I posted on the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\">Diary of a Late Bloomer facebook page</a></strong> the other day that I had fallen and couldn\'t get up.  Remember that silly commercial from the 80s?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s really not all that dramatic.  I\'ve simply fallen way, waaayyyyyy behind in blog posts.  Sis in town and<strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"> World Domination Summit</a></strong> in combination with Work, Life, Blog and Puppy make writing and posting once a day a bit of an impossibility time-wise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI realize that I am not the center of the Universe, so I need to just get over myself and catch up.  It will be good practice for me to be short and sweet for a change.  Starting Monday, expect 2 posts a day until we are back on schedule.  Hurrah!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Day 251 was Summer Camp for Grown Ups aka The World Domination Summit. </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>fun, Fun, FUN! </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever been inside the Apple Store? <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\">All the employees are exceptionally perky because they partake of the Magic Apple Kool-Aid.</a></strong> Everything is wonderful.  Everything is groovy.  Everything is grand because Apple rules the Universe, and whoa -- aren\'t we lucky to be part of such a cool cult?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake the Apple Store scenario and put it on steroids.  THAT, my friends, was the general mojo of The World Domination Summit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe WDS Kool-Aid was just as yummy and just as addictive as Apple\'s.  May I have some more, please?  (Why, yes, I will in 2012!  <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/register/\" target=\"_blank\">Want to come with me?</a></strong>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Soul-scintillating highlights of My 1st Day at World Domination Summer Camp:</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n<ul>\n	<li>Thought-provoking, out-of-the-box speakers who blazed their own trails and encourage/teach others to do the same: <strong><a href=\"http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Pam,</a> <a href=\"http://zenhabits.net/\" target=\"_blank\">Leo,</a> <a href=\"http://whitehottruth.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Danielle,</a> <a href=\"http://www.legalnomads.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Jodi,</a></strong> and <strong><a href=\"http://www.chookooloonks.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Karen</a></strong></li>\n	<li>The Farmer\'s Market a block away for a savory crepe lunch (Yes, it\'s always about the food for me.)</li>\n	<li>Speaking of which, free food and coffee/tea at the Museum for Snack Time</li>\n	<li>Speaking of which, how amazingly creative is Chris Guillebeau for choosing the <strong><a href=\"http://portlandartmuseum.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Portland Art Museum</a></strong> for this conference?!?!  What a setting!</li>\n	<li>New Friends (<strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me\" target=\"_blank\">Sam,</a> <a href=\"http://melissadinwiddie.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Melissa,</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/#!/sswoolley\" target=\"_blank\">Sarah,</a> </strong><a href=\"http://blog.gilldev.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Jason</strong>, </a>and many more!)</li>\n	<li>Chris G. and crew for tirelessly volunteering their time to enrich the lives of others.  (Chris actually lost money on this event.  :-(  Hopefully, his good karma will catch up with him from other sources.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">Buy his book</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">. </a> It\'s stellar.  I\'ve read it.  And you know how picky I am.  Do you think I would haul my cookies all the way to Portland for anyone but the best???)</li>\n	<li>Bollywood Dance Break!</li>\n</ul>\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5800848654_ba1a88ba12.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5913\" title=\"5800848654_ba1a88ba12\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5800848654_ba1a88ba12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And finally...</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The After Hours Sweet Tooth Tour (I repeat:  it\'s always about the food for me.)</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806545251_71f6f6858e1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5917\" title=\"5806545251_71f6f6858e\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5806545251_71f6f6858e1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>\n</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">***</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Photos courtesy of <strong><a href=\"http://armosastudios.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Armosa Studios</a></strong>.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">See all WDS photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisguillebeau</span>','Day 251:  Summer Camp for Grown Ups ','','inherit','open','open','','5903-autosave','','','2011-06-10 22:40:07','2011-06-11 05:40:07','',5903,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/10/5903-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5908,1,'2011-06-10 21:18:50','2011-06-11 04:18:50','I posted on the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\">Diary of a Late Bloomer facebook page</a></strong> the other day that I had fallen and couldn\'t get up.  Remember that silly commercial from the 80s?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s really not all that dramatic.  I\'ve simply fallen way, waaayyyyyy behind in blog posts.  Sis in town and<strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/wds-2011-the-heart-attack-of-awesome/\" target=\"_blank\"> World Domination Summit</a></strong> in combination with Work, Life, Blog and Puppy make writing and posting once a day a bit of an impossibility time-wise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI realize that I am not the center of the Universe, so I need to just get over myself and catch up.  It will be good practice for me to be short and sweet for a change.  Starting Monday, expect 2 posts a day until we are back on schedule.  Hurrah!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Day 251 was Summer Camp for Grown Ups aka The World Domination Summit. </strong></span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>fun, Fun, FUN! </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever been inside the Apple Store? <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/21/day-113-i-joined-a-cult-please-dont-tell-my-mother/\" target=\"_blank\">All the employees are exceptionally perky because they partake of the Magic Apple Kool-Aid.</a></strong> Everything is wonderful.  Everything is groovy.  Everything is grand because Apple rules the Universe, and whoa -- aren\'t we lucky to be part of such a cool cult?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake the Apple Store scenario and put it on steroids.  THAT, my friends, was the general mojo of The World Domination Summit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe WDS Kool-Aid was just as yummy and just as addictive as Apple\'s.  May I have some more, please?  (Why, yes, I will in 2012!  <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/register/\" target=\"_blank\">Want to come with me?</a></strong>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Soul-scintillating highlights of My 1st Day at World Domination Summer Camp:</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thought-provoking, out-of-the-box speakers who blazed their own trails and encourage/teach others to do the same: </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Farmer\'s Market a block away for lunch (Yes, it\'s always about the food for me.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Speaking of which, free food and coffee/tea at the Museum for Snack Time</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Speaking of which, how amazingly creative is Chris Guillebeau for choosing the <strong><a href=\"http://portlandartmuseum.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Portland Art Museum</a></strong> for this conference?!?!  What a setting!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">New Friends (Sam, Melissa, Jason, and many more!)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Chris G. and crew for tirelessly volunteering their time to enrich the lives of others.  (Chris actually lost money on this event.  :-(  Hopefully, his good karma will catch up with him from other sources.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">Buy his book</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Rules-Change-World/dp/0399536108\" target=\"_blank\">. </a> It\'s stellar.  I\'ve read it.  And you know how picky I am.  Do you think I would haul my cookies to Portland for anyone but the best???) </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And finally...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Sweet Tooth Tour after hours (Yes, it\'s always about the food.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\">\r\n</span>','Day 251:  Summer Camp for Grown Ups ','','inherit','open','open','','5903-revision-4','','','2011-06-10 21:18:50','2011-06-11 04:18:50','',5903,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/10/5903-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),