(12026,1,'2013-01-20 18:08:07','2013-01-21 01:08:07','[caption id=\"attachment_11975\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11975\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11975\"><img class=\" wp-image-11975  \" alt=\"My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PA210003-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I haven\'t posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here\'s the scoop:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>As I mentioned in the last <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Zumbalicious post, </span></a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll I can reveal to you now is, \"Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You\".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I\'m also a fan of corniness.  I was raised by a man from Kansas.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo I have a date for The Big Reveal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I\'m as behind in my New Year\'s Resolutions as you are.  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In the meantime, let\'s continue celebrating <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">The Year of Play.</span></a>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>... <em>evolve</em> through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness. Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your \"spark\" has gone?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Well then it\'s time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that\'s easy peasy. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOU CAN DO IT! And I have gold stars waiting for you to prove it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pewari/3609957389/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11986\" alt=\"3609957389_405f7e818f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3609957389_405f7e818f-300x236.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a teacher for 16 years.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here are the instructions for your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to unearth your journal, choose your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Jumping on the sofa while listening to Shaun Cassidy? (I just <del>aged</del> evolved myself, but it\'s all good.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.</strong>  I don\'t care if it\'s old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.</strong>  That\'s right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It\'s a date.  And dates can\'t be broken.  Why, that\'s just rude!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong> Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5.</strong>  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  <strong>OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.</strong>  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.  Feel free to include fabulous photos or videos of your playdate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection A:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Hoola hooping?  Who still has a hoola hoop? Mine was thrown out circa 1981.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong></span>  Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  <a href=\"http://www.midlandhardware.com/Wham-O-Marketing-Inc--Original-Hula-Hoop-81553-0106_p_197371.html?gdftrk=gdfV25189_a_7c1552_a_7c6274_a_7c496968\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Here\'s one for $3.76.</strong> </a> Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12011\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12011\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12011\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200005-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12012\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12012\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12012\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200006-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12013\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12013\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12013\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200004-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection B:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Shaun Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player/phonograph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong> </span> Oh, the glories of YouTube!  Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/l1nTfgUbW48\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection C:</strong> </span> Yes, but . . . . I work 2,654 hours per week. Who has time for play?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Bopping and singing along to \"Da Doo Ron Ron\" will take you exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds, and I GUARANTEE that it will add an extra smile and numerous endorphins to your day. How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Objection D:</span>  </strong>Yes, but . . . . My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you\'re as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend\'s sofa <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/\" target=\"_blank\">here.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Say, say my playmate.  Come out and play with me?  If so, please answer, \"Yes!\" or \"Yipppeeee!!!\" or \"Yay!\"  in the comments section below.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can You Come Out and Play?','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision-58','','','2013-01-20 18:08:07','2013-01-21 01:08:07','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/20/11960-revision-58/',0,'revision','',0),(12032,1,'2013-01-21 08:30:50','2013-01-21 15:30:50','[caption id=\"attachment_11975\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11975\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11975\"><img class=\" wp-image-11975  \" alt=\"My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PA210003-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I haven\'t posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Here\'s the scoop:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>As I mentioned in the last <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000\">Zumbalicious post, </span></a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll I can reveal to you now is, \"Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You\".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I\'m also a fan of corniness.  I was raised by a man from Kansas.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo I have a date for The Big Reveal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I\'m as behind in my New Year\'s Resolutions as you are.  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>In the meantime, let\'s continue celebrating <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000\">The Year of Play.</span></a>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>... <em>evolve</em> through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness. Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your \"spark\" has gone?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Well then it\'s time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that\'s easy peasy. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOU CAN DO IT! And I have gold stars waiting for you to prove it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pewari/3609957389/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11986\" alt=\"3609957389_405f7e818f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3609957389_405f7e818f-300x236.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a teacher for 16 years.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Here are the instructions for your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to unearth your journal, choose your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Jumping on the sofa while listening to Shaun Cassidy? (I just <del>aged</del> <em>evolved</em> myself, but it\'s all good.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.</strong>  I don\'t care if it\'s old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.</strong>  That\'s right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It\'s a date.  And dates can\'t be broken.  Why, that\'s just rude!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong> Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5.</strong>  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  <strong>OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.</strong>  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.  Feel free to include fabulous photos or videos of your playdate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection A:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Hoola hooping?  Who still has a hoola hoop? Mine was thrown out circa 1981.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong></span>  Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  <a href=\"http://www.midlandhardware.com/Wham-O-Marketing-Inc--Original-Hula-Hoop-81553-0106_p_197371.html?gdftrk=gdfV25189_a_7c1552_a_7c6274_a_7c496968\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Here\'s one for $3.76.</strong> </a> Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12011\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12011\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12011\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200005-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12012\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12012\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12012\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200006-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12013\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12013\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12013\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200004-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection B:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Shaun Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player/phonograph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong> </span> Oh, the glories of YouTube!  Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection C:</strong> </span> Yes, but . . . . I work 2,654 hours per week. Who has time for play?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Bopping and singing along to \"Da Doo Ron Ron\" will take you exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds, and I GUARANTEE that it will add an extra smile and numerous endorphins to your day. How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800000\">Objection D:</span>  </strong>Yes, but . . . . My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you\'re as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend\'s sofa <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/\" target=\"_blank\">here.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\">Say, say my playmate.  Come out and play with me?  If so, please answer, \"Yes!\" or \"Yipppeeee!!!\" or \"Yay!\"  in the comments section below.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can You Come Out and Play?','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision-64','','','2013-01-21 08:30:50','2013-01-21 15:30:50','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/11960-revision-64/',0,'revision','',0),(12027,1,'2013-01-20 18:09:49','2013-01-21 01:09:49','[caption id=\"attachment_11975\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11975\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11975\"><img class=\" wp-image-11975  \" alt=\"My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PA210003-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I haven\'t posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here\'s the scoop:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>As I mentioned in the last <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Zumbalicious post, </span></a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll I can reveal to you now is, \"Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You\".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I\'m also a fan of corniness.  I was raised by a man from Kansas.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo I have a date for The Big Reveal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I\'m as behind in my New Year\'s Resolutions as you are.  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In the meantime, let\'s continue celebrating <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">The Year of Play.</span></a>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>... <em>evolve</em> through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness. Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your \"spark\" has gone?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Well then it\'s time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that\'s easy peasy. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOU CAN DO IT! And I have gold stars waiting for you to prove it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pewari/3609957389/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11986\" alt=\"3609957389_405f7e818f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3609957389_405f7e818f-300x236.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a teacher for 16 years.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here are the instructions for your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to unearth your journal, choose your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Jumping on the sofa while listening to Shaun Cassidy? (I just <del>aged</del> <em>evolved</em> myself, but it\'s all good.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.</strong>  I don\'t care if it\'s old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.</strong>  That\'s right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It\'s a date.  And dates can\'t be broken.  Why, that\'s just rude!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong> Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5.</strong>  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  <strong>OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.</strong>  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.  Feel free to include fabulous photos or videos of your playdate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection A:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Hoola hooping?  Who still has a hoola hoop? Mine was thrown out circa 1981.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong></span>  Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  <a href=\"http://www.midlandhardware.com/Wham-O-Marketing-Inc--Original-Hula-Hoop-81553-0106_p_197371.html?gdftrk=gdfV25189_a_7c1552_a_7c6274_a_7c496968\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Here\'s one for $3.76.</strong> </a> Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12011\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12011\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12011\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200005-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12012\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12012\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12012\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200006-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12013\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12013\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12013\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200004-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection B:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Shaun Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player/phonograph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong> </span> Oh, the glories of YouTube!  Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/l1nTfgUbW48\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection C:</strong> </span> Yes, but . . . . I work 2,654 hours per week. Who has time for play?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Bopping and singing along to \"Da Doo Ron Ron\" will take you exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds, and I GUARANTEE that it will add an extra smile and numerous endorphins to your day. How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Objection D:</span>  </strong>Yes, but . . . . My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you\'re as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend\'s sofa <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/\" target=\"_blank\">here.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Say, say my playmate.  Come out and play with me?  If so, please answer, \"Yes!\" or \"Yipppeeee!!!\" or \"Yay!\"  in the comments section below.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can You Come Out and Play?','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision-59','','','2013-01-20 18:09:49','2013-01-21 01:09:49','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/20/11960-revision-59/',0,'revision','',0),(12028,1,'2013-01-20 18:15:57','2013-01-21 01:15:57','[caption id=\"attachment_11975\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11975\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11975\"><img class=\" wp-image-11975  \" alt=\"My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PA210003-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I haven\'t posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here\'s the scoop:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>As I mentioned in the last <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Zumbalicious post, </span></a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll I can reveal to you now is, \"Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You\".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I\'m also a fan of corniness.  I was raised by a man from Kansas.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo I have a date for The Big Reveal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I\'m as behind in my New Year\'s Resolutions as you are.  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In the meantime, let\'s continue celebrating <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">The Year of Play.</span></a>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>... <em>evolve</em> through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness. Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your \"spark\" has gone?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Well then it\'s time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that\'s easy peasy. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOU CAN DO IT! And I have gold stars waiting for you to prove it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pewari/3609957389/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11986\" alt=\"3609957389_405f7e818f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3609957389_405f7e818f-300x236.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a teacher for 16 years.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here are the instructions for your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to unearth your journal, choose your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Jumping on the sofa while listening to Shaun Cassidy? (I just <del>aged</del> <em>evolved</em> myself, but it\'s all good.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.</strong>  I don\'t care if it\'s old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.</strong>  That\'s right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It\'s a date.  And dates can\'t be broken.  Why, that\'s just rude!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong> Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5.</strong>  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  <strong>OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.</strong>  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.  Feel free to include fabulous photos or videos of your playdate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection A:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Hoola hooping?  Who still has a hoola hoop? Mine was thrown out circa 1981.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong></span>  Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  <a href=\"http://www.midlandhardware.com/Wham-O-Marketing-Inc--Original-Hula-Hoop-81553-0106_p_197371.html?gdftrk=gdfV25189_a_7c1552_a_7c6274_a_7c496968\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Here\'s one for $3.76.</strong> </a> Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12011\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12011\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12011\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200005-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12012\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12012\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12012\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200006-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12013\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12013\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12013\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200004-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection B:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Shaun Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player/phonograph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong> </span> Oh, the glories of YouTube!  Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/l1nTfgUbW48\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection C:</strong> </span> Yes, but . . . . I work 2,654 hours per week. Who has time for play?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Bopping and singing along to \"Da Doo Ron Ron\" will take you exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds, and I GUARANTEE that it will add an extra smile and numerous endorphins to your day. How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Objection D:</span>  </strong>Yes, but . . . . My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you\'re as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend\'s sofa <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/\" target=\"_blank\">here.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Say, say my playmate.  Come out and play with me?  If so, please answer, \"Yes!\" or \"Yipppeeee!!!\" or \"Yay!\"  in the comments section below.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can You Come Out and Play?','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision-60','','','2013-01-20 18:15:57','2013-01-21 01:15:57','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/20/11960-revision-60/',0,'revision','',0),(12029,1,'2013-01-20 18:17:49','2013-01-21 01:17:49','[caption id=\"attachment_11975\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11975\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11975\"><img class=\" wp-image-11975  \" alt=\"My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PA210003-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I haven\'t posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here\'s the scoop:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>As I mentioned in the last <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Zumbalicious post, </span></a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll I can reveal to you now is, \"Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You\".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I\'m also a fan of corniness.  I was raised by a man from Kansas.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo I have a date for The Big Reveal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I\'m as behind in my New Year\'s Resolutions as you are.  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In the meantime, let\'s continue celebrating <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">The Year of Play.</span></a>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>... <em>evolve</em> through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness. Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your \"spark\" has gone?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Well then it\'s time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that\'s easy peasy. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOU CAN DO IT! And I have gold stars waiting for you to prove it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pewari/3609957389/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11986\" alt=\"3609957389_405f7e818f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3609957389_405f7e818f-300x236.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a teacher for 16 years.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here are the instructions for your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to unearth your journal, choose your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Jumping on the sofa while listening to Shaun Cassidy? (I just <del>aged</del> <em>evolved</em> myself, but it\'s all good.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.</strong>  I don\'t care if it\'s old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.</strong>  That\'s right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It\'s a date.  And dates can\'t be broken.  Why, that\'s just rude!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong> Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5.</strong>  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  <strong>OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.</strong>  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.  Feel free to include fabulous photos or videos of your playdate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection A:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Hoola hooping?  Who still has a hoola hoop? Mine was thrown out circa 1981.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong></span>  Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  <a href=\"http://www.midlandhardware.com/Wham-O-Marketing-Inc--Original-Hula-Hoop-81553-0106_p_197371.html?gdftrk=gdfV25189_a_7c1552_a_7c6274_a_7c496968\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Here\'s one for $3.76.</strong> </a> Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12011\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12011\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12011\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200005-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12012\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12012\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12012\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200006-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12013\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12013\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12013\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200004-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection B:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Shaun Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player/phonograph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong> </span> Oh, the glories of YouTube!  Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/l1nTfgUbW48\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection C:</strong> </span> Yes, but . . . . I work 2,654 hours per week. Who has time for play?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Bopping and singing along to \"Da Doo Ron Ron\" will take you exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds, and I GUARANTEE that it will add an extra smile and numerous endorphins to your day. How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Objection D:</span>  </strong>Yes, but . . . . My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you\'re as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend\'s sofa <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/\" target=\"_blank\">here.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Say, say my playmate.  Come out and play with me?  If so, please answer, \"Yes!\" or \"Yipppeeee!!!\" or \"Yay!\"  in the comments section below.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can You Come Out and Play?','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision-61','','','2013-01-20 18:17:49','2013-01-21 01:17:49','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/20/11960-revision-61/',0,'revision','',0),(12030,1,'2013-01-20 18:20:24','2013-01-21 01:20:24','[caption id=\"attachment_11975\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11975\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11975\"><img class=\" wp-image-11975  \" alt=\"My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PA210003-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I haven\'t posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here\'s the scoop:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>As I mentioned in the last <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Zumbalicious post, </span></a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll I can reveal to you now is, \"Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You\".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I\'m also a fan of corniness.  I was raised by a man from Kansas.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo I have a date for The Big Reveal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I\'m as behind in my New Year\'s Resolutions as you are.  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In the meantime, let\'s continue celebrating <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">The Year of Play.</span></a>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>... <em>evolve</em> through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness. Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your \"spark\" has gone?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Well then it\'s time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that\'s easy peasy. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOU CAN DO IT! And I have gold stars waiting for you to prove it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pewari/3609957389/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11986\" alt=\"3609957389_405f7e818f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3609957389_405f7e818f-300x236.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a teacher for 16 years.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Here are the instructions for your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to unearth your journal, choose your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Jumping on the sofa while listening to Shaun Cassidy? (I just <del>aged</del> <em>evolved</em> myself, but it\'s all good.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.</strong>  I don\'t care if it\'s old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.</strong>  That\'s right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It\'s a date.  And dates can\'t be broken.  Why, that\'s just rude!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong> Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5.</strong>  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  <strong>OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.</strong>  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.  Feel free to include fabulous photos or videos of your playdate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection A:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Hoola hooping?  Who still has a hoola hoop? Mine was thrown out circa 1981.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong></span>  Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  <a href=\"http://www.midlandhardware.com/Wham-O-Marketing-Inc--Original-Hula-Hoop-81553-0106_p_197371.html?gdftrk=gdfV25189_a_7c1552_a_7c6274_a_7c496968\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Here\'s one for $3.76.</strong> </a> Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12011\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12011\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12011\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200005-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12012\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12012\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12012\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200006-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12013\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12013\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12013\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200004-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection B:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Shaun Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player/phonograph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong> </span> Oh, the glories of YouTube!  Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/l1nTfgUbW48\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Objection C:</strong> </span> Yes, but . . . . I work 2,654 hours per week. Who has time for play?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Bopping and singing along to \"Da Doo Ron Ron\" will take you exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds, and I GUARANTEE that it will add an extra smile and numerous endorphins to your day. How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Objection D:</span>  </strong>Yes, but . . . . My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you\'re as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend\'s sofa <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/\" target=\"_blank\">here.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Say, say my playmate.  Come out and play with me?  If so, please answer, \"Yes!\" or \"Yipppeeee!!!\" or \"Yay!\"  in the comments section below.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can You Come Out and Play?','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision-62','','','2013-01-20 18:20:24','2013-01-21 01:20:24','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/20/11960-revision-62/',0,'revision','',0),(12031,0,'2013-01-20 18:20:56','2013-01-21 01:20:56','[caption id=\"attachment_11975\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11975\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11975\"><img class=\" wp-image-11975  \" alt=\"My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PA210003-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I haven\'t posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Here\'s the scoop:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>As I mentioned in the last <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000\">Zumbalicious post, </span></a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll I can reveal to you now is, \"Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You\".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I\'m also a fan of corniness.  I was raised by a man from Kansas.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo I have a date for The Big Reveal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I\'m as behind in my New Year\'s Resolutions as you are.  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>In the meantime, let\'s continue celebrating <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000\">The Year of Play.</span></a>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>... <em>evolve</em> through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness. Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your \"spark\" has gone?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Well then it\'s time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that\'s easy peasy. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOU CAN DO IT! And I have gold stars waiting for you to prove it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pewari/3609957389/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11986\" alt=\"3609957389_405f7e818f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3609957389_405f7e818f-300x236.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a teacher for 16 years.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Here are the instructions for your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to unearth your journal, choose your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Jumping on the sofa while listening to Shaun Cassidy? (I just <del>aged</del> <em>evolved</em> myself, but it\'s all good.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.</strong>  I don\'t care if it\'s old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.</strong>  That\'s right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It\'s a date.  And dates can\'t be broken.  Why, that\'s just rude!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong> Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5.</strong>  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  <strong>OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.</strong>  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.  Feel free to include fabulous photos or videos of your playdate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection A:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Hoola hooping?  Who still has a hoola hoop? Mine was thrown out circa 1981.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong></span>  Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  <a href=\"http://www.midlandhardware.com/Wham-O-Marketing-Inc--Original-Hula-Hoop-81553-0106_p_197371.html?gdftrk=gdfV25189_a_7c1552_a_7c6274_a_7c496968\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Here\'s one for $3.76.</strong> </a> Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12011\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12011\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12011\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200005-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12012\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12012\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12012\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200006-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12013\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12013\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12013\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200004-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection B:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Shaun Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player/phonograph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong> </span> Oh, the glories of YouTube!  Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection C:</strong> </span> Yes, but . . . . I work 2,654 hours per week. Who has time for play?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Bopping and singing along to \"Da Doo Ron Ron\" will take you exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds, and I GUARANTEE that it will add an extra smile and numerous endorphins to your day. How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800000\">Objection D:</span>  </strong>Yes, but . . . . My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you\'re as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend\'s sofa <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/\" target=\"_blank\">here.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\">Say, say my playmate.  Come out and play with me?  If so, please answer, \"Yes!\" or \"Yipppeeee!!!\" or \"Yay!\"  in the comments section below.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can You Come Out and Play?','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision-63','','','2013-01-20 18:20:56','2013-01-21 01:20:56','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/20/11960-revision-63/',0,'revision','',0),(12033,1,'2013-01-21 08:52:26','2013-01-21 15:52:26','[caption id=\"attachment_11975\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11975\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11975\"><img class=\" wp-image-11975  \" alt=\"My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PA210003-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I haven\'t posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Here\'s the scoop:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>As I mentioned in the last <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000\">Zumbalicious post, </span></a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll I can reveal to you now is, \"Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You\".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I\'m also a fan of corniness.  I was raised by a man from Kansas.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo I have a date for The Big Reveal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I\'m as behind in my New Year\'s Resolutions as you are.  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>In the meantime, let\'s continue celebrating <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000\">The Year of Play.</span></a>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>... <em>evolve</em> through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness. Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your \"spark\" has gone?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Well then it\'s time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that\'s easy peasy. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOU CAN DO IT! And I have gold stars waiting for you to prove it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pewari/3609957389/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11986\" alt=\"3609957389_405f7e818f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3609957389_405f7e818f-300x236.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a teacher for 16 years.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Here are the instructions for your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to unearth your journal, choose your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Jumping on the sofa while listening to Shaun Cassidy? (I just <del>aged</del> <em>evolved</em> myself, but it\'s all good.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.</strong>  I don\'t care if it\'s old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.</strong>  That\'s right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It\'s a date.  And dates can\'t be broken.  Why, that\'s just rude!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong> Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5.</strong>  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  <strong>OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.</strong>  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.  Feel free to include fabulous photos or videos of your playdate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection A:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Hoola hooping?  Who still has a hoola hoop? Mine was thrown out circa 1981.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong></span>  Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  <a href=\"http://www.midlandhardware.com/Wham-O-Marketing-Inc--Original-Hula-Hoop-81553-0106_p_197371.html?gdftrk=gdfV25189_a_7c1552_a_7c6274_a_7c496968\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Here\'s one for $3.76.</strong> </a> Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12011\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12011\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12011\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200005-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12012\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12012\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12012\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200006-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12013\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12013\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12013\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200004-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection B:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Shaun Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player/phonograph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong> </span> Oh, the glories of YouTube!  Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/l1nTfgUbW48\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection C:</strong> </span> Yes, but . . . . I work 2,654 hours per week. Who has time for play?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Bopping and singing along to \"Da Doo Ron Ron\" will take you exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds, and I GUARANTEE that it will add an extra smile and numerous endorphins to your day. How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800000\">Objection D:</span>  </strong>Yes, but . . . . My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you\'re as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend\'s sofa <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/\" target=\"_blank\">here.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\">Say, say my playmate.  Come out and play with me?  If so, please answer, \"Yes!\" or \"Yipppeeee!!!\" or \"Yay!\"  in the comments section below.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can You Come Out and Play?','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision-65','','','2013-01-21 08:52:26','2013-01-21 15:52:26','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/11960-revision-65/',0,'revision','',0),(12034,1,'2013-01-21 08:52:26','2013-01-21 15:52:26','[caption id=\"attachment_11975\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/olympus-digital-camera-811/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11975\"><img class=\" wp-image-11975  \" alt=\"My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PA210003-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> My Favorite Playdate of 2012. Which was as simple as singing with Melanie at her house. When I was a child, I sang my heart out every chance I could get. When time vacuums rob me of those chances as an adult, I get cranky and want to throw temper tantrums. Play: It does a soul and psyche good.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello, friend.  How have you been?  How is the New Year treating you so far?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I haven\'t posted since January 1st.  Oopsie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to take a Blogcation.  And then promptly forgot to tell you about it.  I am so sorry!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Here\'s the scoop:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>As I mentioned in the last <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000\">Zumbalicious post, </span></a>there are ch-ch-changes brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat are these changes, you ask?  I would tell you, except that I am a big fan of surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll I can reveal to you now is, \"Coming Soon To a Blogosphere Near You\".  I realize that this is a bit corny, but I\'m also a fan of corniness.  I was raised by a man from Kansas.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo I have a date for The Big Reveal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!  Uh....no.  I\'m as behind in my New Year\'s Resolutions as you are.  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut I <em>promise</em> that you will be the first to know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>In the meantime, let\'s continue celebrating <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/52-playdates/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #008000\">The Year of Play.</span></a>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs we <del>grow older.</del>...<del>age.</del>... <em>evolve</em> through the years, we often lose touch of our sense of playfulness. Play brings us back to our innate sense of wonder that we delighted in as children.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Have you felt less playful lately?  Is life getting in the way?  Have you wondered where your \"spark\" has gone?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Well then it\'s time to light your inner sparkler, sister!  To get you started, I am assigning you one mini-adventure that\'s easy peasy. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOU CAN DO IT! And I have gold stars waiting for you to prove it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pewari/3609957389/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11986\" alt=\"3609957389_405f7e818f\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3609957389_405f7e818f-300x236.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a teacher for 16 years.  I can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Here are the instructions for your sparkly, easy peasy lemon squeezy mini-adventure:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI could set this up with a warm and fuzzy ritual such as asking you to unearth your journal, choose your favorite pen, light a candle, brew a spot of tea in a special mug, play a relaxing instrumental tune in the background, blah, blah, blah . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich is all fine and dandy, but this is all you really need to do:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.  Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Think about your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>What comes to mind?  Riding your bike?  Jumping rope?  Hoola hooping?  Walking barefoot through the grass?  Dancing with your friends?  Singing your little lungs out along with Olivia Newton John?  Jumping on the sofa while listening to Shaun Cassidy? (I just <del>aged</del> <em>evolved</em> myself, but it\'s all good.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2.  Once you are reminded of your FAVORITE childhood pastime, get thee to a calendar.</strong>  I don\'t care if it\'s old school papery or techy-gadgety.  Just get thee to it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>3.  SCHEDULE a playdate with yourself.</strong>  That\'s right, girlfriends.  Set it in ink or cyber-ink.  It\'s a date.  And dates can\'t be broken.  Why, that\'s just rude!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>4.  On this date, you will someway somehow blissfuly dive into your FAVORITE childhood pastime.</strong> Invite a friend to join you if you are so inclined.  Playdates are double!!....triple!!!....quadruple!!!!....the fun with friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5.</strong>  After your playdate -- when your heart is still sparkly from the play endorphins -- share your experience in the comments section below.  <strong>OR . . . . EVEN BETTER . . . . Write a guest blog post about your playdate.</strong>  I would be happy to post it right here on Diary of a Late Bloomer.  Feel free to include fabulous photos or videos of your playdate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\"><strong>Common Inner Critic Objections That Need to GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK ON ANY DAY:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection A:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Hoola hooping?  Who still has a hoola hoop? Mine was thrown out circa 1981.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong></span>  Oh, the glories of the Interwebs!  <a href=\"http://www.midlandhardware.com/Wham-O-Marketing-Inc--Original-Hula-Hoop-81553-0106_p_197371.html?gdftrk=gdfV25189_a_7c1552_a_7c6274_a_7c496968\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Here\'s one for $3.76.</strong> </a> Skip that Starbucks tomorrow and treat yourself to a hula hoop.  Your waist will thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/olympus-digital-camera-812/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12011\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12011\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200005-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/olympus-digital-camera-813/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12012\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12012\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200006-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/olympus-digital-camera-814/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12013\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-12013\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1200004-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection B:</strong></span>  Yes, but . . . . Shaun Cassidy?  I no longer have an 8-track player/cassette player/phonograph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000\"><strong>Easy Peasy Solution:</strong> </span> Oh, the glories of YouTube!  Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/l1nTfgUbW48\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><strong>Objection C:</strong> </span> Yes, but . . . . I work 2,654 hours per week. Who has time for play?!?!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Bopping and singing along to \"Da Doo Ron Ron\" will take you exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds, and I GUARANTEE that it will add an extra smile and numerous endorphins to your day. How much time did you spend watching TV, catching up on the news, surfing the Internet, and/or posting on facebook today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #800000\">Objection D:</span>  </strong>Yes, but . . . . My mother always reprimanded me about jumping on the sofa!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #008000\">Easy Peasy Solution:</span>  </strong>Come on!  Jumping on the sofa is the FUNNEST!  If you\'re as neurotic about your furniture as your mother, you can always pop in on a friend who has young children and corrupt them in the name of play and good memories.  You can see me ruining my dear friend\'s sofa <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party/\" target=\"_blank\">here.  </a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;color: #008000\">Say, say my playmate.  Come out and play with me?  If so, please answer, \"Yes!\" or \"Yipppeeee!!!\" or \"Yay!\"  in the comments section below.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can You Come Out and Play?','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision-66','','','2013-01-21 08:52:26','2013-01-21 15:52:26','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/11960-revision-66/',0,'revision','',0),(12035,1,'2013-01-24 19:33:47','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12036\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12036\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photo-from-Jan-20-2013-2.jpg\" alt=\"Photo from Jan 20, 2013-2\" width=\"715\" height=\"491\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12036\" /></a>','postcard','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-01-24 19:33:47','2013-01-25 02:33:47','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=12035',0,'post','',0),(12036,1,'2013-01-24 19:33:20','2013-01-25 02:33:20','','Photo from Jan 20, 2013-2','','inherit','open','open','','photo-from-jan-20-2013-2','','','2013-01-24 19:33:20','2013-01-25 02:33:20','',12035,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photo-from-Jan-20-2013-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12037,1,'2013-01-24 19:32:50','2013-01-25 02:32:50','','postcard','','inherit','open','open','','12035-revision','','','2013-01-24 19:32:50','2013-01-25 02:32:50','',12035,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/24/12035-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12038,1,'2013-01-24 19:33:42','2013-01-25 02:33:42','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12036\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12036\"><img src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photo-from-Jan-20-2013-2.jpg\" alt=\"Photo from Jan 20, 2013-2\" width=\"715\" height=\"491\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12036\" /></a>','postcard','','inherit','open','open','','12035-revision-2','','','2013-01-24 19:33:42','2013-01-25 02:33:42','',12035,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/24/12035-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12041,1,'2013-01-29 20:03:34','2013-01-30 03:03:34','<strong>In my last post,</strong> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI will give you a hint:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSigh . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands and jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards.  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen in a few days, greetings from my blogcation, explain postcards, and remind of guest blog playdates.  Also, Bella in February.','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision','','','2013-01-29 20:03:34','2013-01-30 03:03:34','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12042,1,'2013-01-29 20:04:35','2013-01-30 03:04:35','<strong>In my last post,</strong> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI will give you a hint:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSigh . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands and jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards.  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen in a few days, greetings from my blogcation, explain postcards, and remind of guest blog playdates.  Also, Bella in February.','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-2','','','2013-01-29 20:04:35','2013-01-30 03:04:35','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12043,1,'2013-01-29 20:04:36','2013-01-30 03:04:36','<strong>In my last post,</strong> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands and jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards.  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThen in a few days, greetings from my blogcation, explain postcards, and remind of guest blog playdates.  Also, Bella in February.','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-3','','','2013-01-29 20:04:36','2013-01-30 03:04:36','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(12044,1,'2013-01-29 20:19:49','2013-01-30 03:19:49','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-4','','','2013-01-29 20:19:49','2013-01-30 03:19:49','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(12045,1,'2013-01-29 20:19:56','2013-01-30 03:19:56','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-5','','','2013-01-29 20:19:56','2013-01-30 03:19:56','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(12046,1,'2013-01-29 20:21:13','2013-01-30 03:21:13','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI will give you a hint:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSigh . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSee you on Friday!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-6','','','2013-01-29 20:21:13','2013-01-30 03:21:13','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(12047,1,'2013-01-29 20:22:47','2013-01-30 03:22:47','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI will give you a hint:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSigh . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSee you on Friday!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-7','','','2013-01-29 20:22:47','2013-01-30 03:22:47','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(12048,1,'2013-01-29 20:23:44','2013-01-30 03:23:44','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-8','','','2013-01-29 20:23:44','2013-01-30 03:23:44','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(12049,1,'2013-01-29 20:23:49','2013-01-30 03:23:49','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-9','','','2013-01-29 20:23:49','2013-01-30 03:23:49','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(12050,1,'2013-01-29 20:23:54','2013-01-30 03:23:54','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-10','','','2013-01-29 20:23:54','2013-01-30 03:23:54','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(12051,1,'2013-01-29 20:25:41','2013-01-30 03:25:41','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-11','','','2013-01-29 20:25:41','2013-01-30 03:25:41','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(12052,1,'2013-01-30 18:49:08','2013-01-31 01:49:08','&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI will give you a hint:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSigh . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>Now let\'s all hold hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this recent ♥ development is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\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\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSee you on Friday!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s number.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-autosave','','','2013-01-30 18:49:08','2013-01-31 01:49:08','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(12069,1,'2013-01-29 20:49:19','2013-01-30 03:49:19','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>Now let\'s all hold hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this recent ♥ development is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s number.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-20','','','2013-01-29 20:49:19','2013-01-30 03:49:19','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(12053,1,'2013-01-29 20:26:26','2013-01-30 03:26:26','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your understanding.  Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-12','','','2013-01-29 20:26:26','2013-01-30 03:26:26','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(12054,1,'2013-01-29 20:27:45','2013-01-30 03:27:45','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-13','','','2013-01-29 20:27:45','2013-01-30 03:27:45','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(12055,1,'2013-01-29 20:28:05','2013-01-30 03:28:05','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-14','','','2013-01-29 20:28:05','2013-01-30 03:28:05','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(12056,1,'2013-01-29 20:29:27','2013-01-30 03:29:27','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this recent ♥ development is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-15','','','2013-01-29 20:29:27','2013-01-30 03:29:27','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(12059,1,'2013-01-29 20:31:41','2013-01-30 03:31:41','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this recent ♥ development is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s number.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','e','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-18','','','2013-01-29 20:31:41','2013-01-30 03:31:41','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(12057,1,'2013-01-29 20:30:14','2013-01-30 03:30:14','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this recent ♥ development is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s details.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-16','','','2013-01-29 20:30:14','2013-01-30 03:30:14','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(12058,1,'2013-01-29 20:31:36','2013-01-30 03:31:36','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this recent ♥ development is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s number.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-17','','','2013-01-29 20:31:36','2013-01-30 03:31:36','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(12060,1,'2013-01-29 20:32:08','2013-01-30 03:32:08','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>Now let\'s all hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this recent ♥ development is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12040\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12040\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12040\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-2012.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s number.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-19','','','2013-01-29 20:32:08','2013-01-30 03:32:08','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/29/11973-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(12061,1,'2013-02-01 10:18:21','2013-02-01 17:18:21','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/olympus-digital-camera-816/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, extremely affectionate, easy-going, plays well with others, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, and a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/olympus-digital-camera-815/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!  Grab the Kleenex.  But as Karen reminded me a couple of years ago, these are happy tears!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','publish','open','open','','my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity','','http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/','2013-02-01 10:36:33','2013-02-01 17:36:33','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=12061',0,'post','',7),(12062,1,'2013-01-30 16:16:16','2013-01-30 23:16:16','set featured image\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe chose to accept it. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong>here. </strong>','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision','','','2013-01-30 16:16:16','2013-01-30 23:16:16','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/12061-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12063,1,'2013-01-30 16:16:35','2013-01-30 23:16:35','set featured image\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe chose to accept it. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong>here. </strong>','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-2','','','2013-01-30 16:16:35','2013-01-30 23:16:35','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/12061-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12064,1,'2013-01-30 16:27:05','2013-01-30 23:27:05','set featured image\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please alow\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \n\n who is cris?  for readers that don\'t know. who what when why how.\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe chose to accept it. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong>here. </strong>','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-3','','','2013-01-30 16:27:05','2013-01-30 23:27:05','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/12061-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(12068,1,'2013-01-30 18:48:35','2013-01-31 01:48:35','','Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.','','inherit','open','open','','photos-from-sep-3-2012-2','','','2013-01-30 18:48:35','2013-01-31 01:48:35','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-20121.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12070,1,'2013-01-30 18:49:28','2013-01-31 01:49:28','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>In my last post,</strong></a> I mentioned that I was on a blogcation.  It\'s been swell.  Really.  You wouldn\'t believe what\'s happened.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will give you a hint:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-large; color: #ff0000;\">♥</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSigh . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd that\'s all I can say.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s taken him 25 years to get here (if we think back to . . . say . . . when I was legal at 18), and I wouldn\'t want to scare him off with my meanderings in a blog.  There are some things in life that are sacred, you know.  Thank you for your understanding.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>Now let\'s all hold hands, jump up and down and scream like schoolgirls because this recent ♥ development is SO EXCITING!!!!  ☺</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other news, ch-ch-changes are still brewing behind the scenes at Diary of a Late Bloomer.  In the midst of my blog remodeling, I\'ve decided to send you postcards from my blogcation.  Because who doesn\'t love receiving postcards?  And you\'re going to melt at this first postcard.  Tell me if this isn\'t the cutest thing you\'ve ever seen???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/greetings-from-my-blogcation/photos-from-sep-3-2012-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12068\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12068\" alt=\"Massage.  It\'s not just for humans.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Photos-from-Sep-3-20121.jpg\" width=\"715\" height=\"615\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Bella uses the couch as a springboard to leap up onto the massage table when Melody aka World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist^ isn\'t looking.  What can I say?  The canine apple doesn\'t fall far from the tree.  Who can blame her?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore postcards to come in future days. . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In yet other news, I\'m still accepting Guest Blogger applications.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve always wondered what this blogging stuff is all about and would like to give it a shot, then take a lookie-loo <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>over here</strong> </a>and sign up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800000;\"><strong>In the final news of the day, something even more adorable than the above postcard is coming your way on Friday.  I can\'t reveal the details to you, but I promise you that it\'s precious AND it will tug-tug-tug at your heartstrings.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSee you on Friday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n^If you live in The Valley of the Sun and would like to schedule an in-home massage with World\'s Greatest Massage Therapist, please contact me for Melody\'s number.  I can be reached <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/\" target=\"_blank\">here </a></strong>or on the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/diaryofalatebloomer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11973-revision-21','','','2013-01-30 18:49:28','2013-01-31 01:49:28','',11973,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/30/11973-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(12071,1,'2013-01-31 12:12:42','2013-01-31 19:12:42','set featured image\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination^ Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong>here. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly.  Bella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails? \n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> hijacked my computer</strong> and started a <strong>facebook page.  </strong>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend and received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nStaying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s mission! \n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-4','','','2013-01-31 12:12:42','2013-01-31 19:12:42','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(12072,1,'2013-01-31 12:13:42','2013-01-31 19:13:42','set featured image\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination^ Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong>here. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly.  Bella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails? \n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> hijacked my computer</strong> and started a <strong>facebook page.  </strong>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend and received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nStaying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission! \n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-5','','','2013-01-31 12:13:42','2013-01-31 19:13:42','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(12073,1,'2013-01-31 12:16:43','2013-01-31 19:16:43','set featured image\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination^ Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong>here. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly.  Bella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails? \n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> hijacked my computer</strong> and started a <strong>facebook page.  </strong>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend and received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nStaying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  Mingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  rescue.  infirm.  the forgotten.  not just in elderly humans, but with elderly pets.\n\n2. \n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-6','','','2013-01-31 12:16:43','2013-01-31 19:16:43','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(12074,1,'2013-01-31 12:19:43','2013-01-31 19:19:43','set featured image\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination^ Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails? \n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <strong>facebook page.  </strong>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend and received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nStaying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  Mingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  rescue.  infirm.  the forgotten.  not just in elderly humans, but with elderly pets.\n\n2.  that\'s where she picked me. \n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-7','','','2013-01-31 12:19:43','2013-01-31 19:19:43','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(12075,1,'2013-01-31 12:21:43','2013-01-31 19:21:43','<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"></span>set featured image.  100 investment here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination^ Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails? \n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend and received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nStaying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  Mingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  rescue.  infirm.  the forgotten.  not just in elderly humans, but with elderly pets.\n\n2.  that\'s where she picked me. \n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-8','','','2013-01-31 12:21:43','2013-01-31 19:21:43','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(12076,1,'2013-01-31 12:23:30','2013-01-31 19:23:30','set featured image.  100 investment here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination^ Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails? \n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend and received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nStaying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  Mingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  rescue.  infirm.  the forgotten.  not just in elderly humans, but with elderly pets.\n\n2.  that\'s where she picked me. \n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-9','','','2013-01-31 12:23:30','2013-01-31 19:23:30','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(12077,1,'2013-01-31 12:24:26','2013-01-31 19:24:26','set featured image.  100 investment here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination^ Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails? \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend and received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Bella vowed to channel her Disney Dog precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStaying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  Mingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  rescue.  infirm.  the forgotten.  not just in elderly humans, but with elderly pets.\r\n\r\n2.  that\'s where she picked me. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-10','','','2013-01-31 12:24:26','2013-01-31 19:24:26','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(12078,1,'2013-01-31 12:24:51','2013-01-31 19:24:51','set featured image.  100 investment here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination^ Summit in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails? \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend and received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Bella vowed to channel her Disney Dog precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing. \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStaying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  Mingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  rescue.  infirm.  the forgotten.  not just in elderly humans, but with elderly pets.\r\n\r\n2.  that\'s where she picked me.   link\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-11','','','2013-01-31 12:24:51','2013-01-31 19:24:51','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(12079,1,'2013-01-31 20:22:58','2013-02-01 03:22:58','set featured image.  100 investment here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor\n\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  And then spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair, and I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise money for Mingus Manor.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong>Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn lieu of gifts, Bella asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto of basked of toys.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-12','','','2013-01-31 20:22:58','2013-02-01 03:22:58','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(12080,1,'2013-01-31 20:23:58','2013-02-01 03:23:58','set featured image.  100 investment here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor\n\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  And then spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair, and I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise money for Mingus Manor.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong>Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn lieu of gifts, Bella asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto of basked of toys.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-13','','','2013-01-31 20:23:58','2013-02-01 03:23:58','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(12081,1,'2013-01-31 20:29:59','2013-02-01 03:29:59','set featured image.  100 investment here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise money for Mingus Manor.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto of basked of toys.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-14','','','2013-01-31 20:29:59','2013-02-01 03:29:59','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(12082,1,'2013-01-31 20:30:59','2013-02-01 03:30:59','set featured image.  100 investment here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise money for Mingus Manor.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto of basked of toys.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-15','','','2013-01-31 20:30:59','2013-02-01 03:30:59','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(12083,1,'2013-01-31 20:39:04','2013-02-01 03:39:04','set featured image.  100 investment here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise money for Mingus Manor.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nphoto of basked of toys.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-16','','','2013-01-31 20:39:04','2013-02-01 03:39:04','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(12085,1,'2013-01-31 22:01:09','2013-02-01 05:01:09','','IMG00249-20110130-1151','','inherit','open','open','','img00249-20110130-1151-2','','','2013-01-31 22:01:09','2013-02-01 05:01:09','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG00249-20110130-1151.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12087,1,'2013-01-31 22:14:52','2013-02-01 05:14:52','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto of basked of toys.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-18','','','2013-01-31 22:14:52','2013-02-01 05:14:52','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(12086,1,'2013-01-31 22:02:15','2013-02-01 05:02:15','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995\" alt=\"Ms. Buckley, I\'m ready for my close up.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Ms. Buckley, I\'m ready for my close up.[/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto comparison?  4 cubes or thumbnails?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12085\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12085\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12085\" alt=\"IMG00249-20110130-1151\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG00249-20110130-1151-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto of basked of toys.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-17','','','2013-01-31 22:02:15','2013-02-01 05:02:15','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(12088,1,'2013-01-31 23:12:44','2013-02-01 06:12:44','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802\" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Born to Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto of basked of toys.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-19','','','2013-01-31 23:12:44','2013-02-01 06:12:44','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(12089,1,'2013-01-31 23:49:41','2013-02-01 06:49:41','','Pampered Pooch','She\'s not exaggerating.  ','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-815','','','2013-01-31 23:49:41','2013-02-01 06:49:41','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12090,1,'2013-01-31 23:51:46','2013-02-01 06:51:46','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802  \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-20','','','2013-01-31 23:51:46','2013-02-01 06:51:46','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(12091,1,'2013-01-31 23:52:38','2013-02-01 06:52:38','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802  \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-21','','','2013-01-31 23:52:38','2013-02-01 06:52:38','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(12092,1,'2013-01-31 23:53:14','2013-02-01 06:53:14','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-22','','','2013-01-31 23:53:14','2013-02-01 06:53:14','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(12094,1,'2013-01-31 23:55:11','2013-02-01 06:55:11','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-24','','','2013-01-31 23:55:11','2013-02-01 06:55:11','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(12093,1,'2013-01-31 23:53:56','2013-02-01 06:53:56','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  crowdrise\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-23','','','2013-01-31 23:53:56','2013-02-01 06:53:56','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(12096,1,'2013-01-31 23:57:28','2013-02-01 06:57:28','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-26','','','2013-01-31 23:57:28','2013-02-01 06:57:28','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(12095,1,'2013-01-31 23:55:38','2013-02-01 06:55:38','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you only read this one thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary name for \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received the same.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-25','','','2013-01-31 23:55:38','2013-02-01 06:55:38','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(12097,1,'2013-01-31 23:59:21','2013-02-01 06:59:21','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-27','','','2013-01-31 23:59:21','2013-02-01 06:59:21','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/31/12061-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(12098,1,'2013-02-01 00:01:57','2013-02-01 07:01:57','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or les\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopped-on-the-street-constantly cute.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-28','','','2013-02-01 00:01:57','2013-02-01 07:01:57','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(12099,1,'2013-02-01 00:03:25','2013-02-01 07:03:25','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopping-people-in cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-29','','','2013-02-01 00:03:25','2013-02-01 07:03:25','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(12100,1,'2013-02-01 00:04:35','2013-02-01 07:04:35','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopping-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and started a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-30','','','2013-02-01 00:04:35','2013-02-01 07:04:35','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(12101,1,'2013-02-01 00:06:26','2013-02-01 07:06:26','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopping-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-31','','','2013-02-01 00:06:26','2013-02-01 07:06:26','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(12102,1,'2013-02-01 00:08:50','2013-02-01 07:08:50','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopping-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  I never put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-32','','','2013-02-01 00:08:50','2013-02-01 07:08:50','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(12103,1,'2013-02-01 00:11:18','2013-02-01 07:11:18','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopping-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-33','','','2013-02-01 00:11:18','2013-02-01 07:11:18','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(12104,1,'2013-02-01 00:13:27','2013-02-01 07:13:27','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopping-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-34','','','2013-02-01 00:13:27','2013-02-01 07:13:27','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(12105,1,'2013-02-01 00:14:34','2013-02-01 07:14:34','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stopping-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-35','','','2013-02-01 00:14:34','2013-02-01 07:14:34','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(12106,1,'2013-02-01 00:21:30','2013-02-01 07:21:30','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-36','','','2013-02-01 00:21:30','2013-02-01 07:21:30','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(12107,1,'2013-02-01 00:22:40','2013-02-01 07:22:40','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"UnBirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-37','','','2013-02-01 00:22:40','2013-02-01 07:22:40','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(12108,1,'2013-02-01 00:26:20','2013-02-01 07:26:20','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an\"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and never washed another dog.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-38','','','2013-02-01 00:26:20','2013-02-01 07:26:20','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(12109,1,'2013-02-01 00:27:34','2013-02-01 07:27:34','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and never washed another dog.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-39','','','2013-02-01 00:27:34','2013-02-01 07:27:34','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(12110,1,'2013-02-01 08:43:48','2013-02-01 15:43:48','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and  remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.  I held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and never washed another dog.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-40','','','2013-02-01 08:43:48','2013-02-01 15:43:48','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(12111,1,'2013-02-01 08:53:12','2013-02-01 15:53:12','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s homecoming<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-41','','','2013-02-01 08:53:12','2013-02-01 15:53:12','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(12112,1,'2013-02-01 09:20:03','2013-02-01 16:20:03','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Disney Dogs prefer Macs.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-816','','','2013-02-01 09:20:03','2013-02-01 16:20:03','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12113,1,'2013-02-01 09:21:11','2013-02-01 16:21:11','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12112\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-42','','','2013-02-01 09:21:11','2013-02-01 16:21:11','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-42/',0,'revision','',0),(12115,1,'2013-02-01 09:25:32','2013-02-01 16:25:32','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12112\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-44','','','2013-02-01 09:25:32','2013-02-01 16:25:32','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-44/',0,'revision','',0);
