INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (4712,1,'2011-03-21 20:47:29','2011-03-22 03:47:29','You read that correctly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho knew this sort of thing even existed?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I originally approached Todd aka Birthday Twin Genius about a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/15/day-168-its-more-than-complicated/\" target=\"_blank\">He Said/She Said cooking post</a></strong>, I envisioned our \"guy food\" to be something normal.  Like ribs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNormal Schmormal.  <strong><a href=\"http://606diaries.com/\">Todd </a></strong>suggested Dishwasher Lasagna that he heard about through his sister.  Yes, you actually \"cook\" the lasagna in the dishwasher.  This was all I needed to hear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet the kooky kitchen experiment begin!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe started with this recipe: <a href=\"http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Lasagna-in-Your-Dishwasher\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Lasagna-in-Your-Dishwasher</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI invited girlfriends to join me for dinner.  No takers.  I didn\'t take offense.  Most people find eating food cooked in the dishwasher a bit too strange.  To each her own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs fate would have it, Mr. Tall Drink of Water aka <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/21/day-174-first-first-date-in-almost-a-year/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>my first \"first date\" in nearly a year</strong></a> sent me a very romantic email (in Portuguese!) the morning of Day 175.  He cyber-whispered beautiful sweet nothings (in Portuguese!) and asked if I could come out to play at any time this afternoon or evening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow could I resist?  I invited him over for Dishwasher Lasagna.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe didn\'t skip a beat and accepted.  He dances to the beat of my drum.  That\'s a good sign.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Attention and Alert!:  Ladies, I would NEVER recommend inviting a guy that you met off the Internet to your home on a 2nd date.  No way, no how.  Remember that this one came with references through a mutual friend who thinks quite highly of him.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Tall Drink of Water arrived promptly at 5:30, the start time that Todd and I agreed on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Minor delay:  When you invite Mr.  Tall Drink of Water for dinner, and you start of the evening with a bottle of Spanish wine, time stands still.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>5:45 text message</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> How\'s it going on your end.  Rockin\' the prep?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>5:58</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> Drinking wine with a hunkie man.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">6:00</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd:</strong></span> Lol.  I won\'t bug you then.  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, talking, kissing.  Kissing, talking, wine.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Tall Drink of Water and I then begin the prep.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4692\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4693\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4694\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4695\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200006.jpg\"></a><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4696\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4699\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>\r\n7:01</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> Lasagna is in the washer and it\'s chugging along Went very very smoothly so far.  I\'m worried.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, wine, wine.  Talking, talking, talking.  Kissing, kissing, kissing.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>7:48</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> Wow...this is inedible\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>8:03</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Me: </span></strong> Uh-oh.  I\'m kinda full on wine tho so all is good.  :-)  Mine still on heated dry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd:</strong></span> I don\'t think my heated dry was long enough.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>9:13</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4697\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> Mine is yummy!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span>Well that\'s good for one of us then.  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4698\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Surprisingly -- no -- <em>shockingly</em> good!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, talking, kissing.  Kissing, talking, wine.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Kissing, kissing, kissing...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 175:  Baking Lasagna in the Dishwasher','','inherit','open','open','','4682-revision-19','','','2011-03-21 20:47:29','2011-03-22 03:47:29','',4682,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/21/4682-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(4713,1,'2011-03-22 13:36:06','2011-03-22 20:36:06','You read that correctly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho knew this sort of thing even existed?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I originally approached Todd aka Birthday Twin Genius about a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/15/day-168-its-more-than-complicated/\" target=\"_blank\">He Said/She Said cooking post</a></strong>, I envisioned our \"guy food\" to be something normal.  Like ribs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNormal Schmormal.  <strong><a href=\"http://606diaries.com/\">Todd </a></strong>suggested Dishwasher Lasagna that he heard about through his sister.  Yes, you actually \"cook\" the lasagna in the dishwasher.  This was all I needed to hear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet the kooky kitchen experiment begin!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe started with this recipe: <a href=\"http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Lasagna-in-Your-Dishwasher\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Lasagna-in-Your-Dishwasher</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI invited girlfriends to join me for dinner.  No takers.  I didn\'t take offense.  Most people find eating food cooked in the dishwasher a bit too strange.  To each her own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs fate would have it, Mr. Tall Drink of Water aka <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/21/day-174-first-first-date-in-almost-a-year/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>my first \"first date\" in nearly a year</strong></a> sent me a very romantic email (in Portuguese!) the morning of Day 175.  He cyber-whispered beautiful sweet nothings (in Portuguese!) and asked if I could come out to play at any time this afternoon or evening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow could I resist?  I invited him over for Dishwasher Lasagna.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe didn\'t skip a beat and accepted.  He dances to the beat of my drum.  That\'s a good sign.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Attention and Alert!:  Ladies, I would NEVER recommend inviting a guy that you met off the Internet to your home on a 2nd date.  No way, no how.  Remember that this one came with references through a mutual friend who thinks quite highly of him.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Tall Drink of Water arrived promptly at 5:30, the start time that Todd and I agreed on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Minor delay:  When you invite Mr.  Tall Drink of Water for dinner, and you start of the evening with a bottle of Spanish wine, time stands still.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>5:45 text message</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> How\'s it going on your end.  Rockin\' the prep?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>5:58</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> Drinking wine with a hunkie man.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">6:00</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd:</strong></span> Lol.  I won\'t bug you then.  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, talking, kissing.  Kissing, talking, wine.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Tall Drink of Water and I then begin the prep.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4692\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4693\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4694\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4695\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200006.jpg\"></a><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4696\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4699\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>\r\n7:01</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> Lasagna is in the washer and it\'s chugging along Went very very smoothly so far.  I\'m worried.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, wine, wine.  Talking, talking, talking.  Kissing, kissing, kissing.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>7:48</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> Wow...this is inedible\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>8:03</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Me: </span></strong> Uh-oh.  I\'m kinda full on wine tho so all is good.  :-)  Mine still on heated dry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd:</strong></span> I don\'t think my heated dry was long enough.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>9:13</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4697\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> Mine is yummy!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span>Well that\'s good for one of us then.  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4698\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Surprisingly -- no -- <em>shockingly</em> good!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, talking, kissing.  Kissing, talking, wine.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Kissing, kissing, kissing...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*******************************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read Todd\'s \"He Said\" version, please go to<strong> <a href=\"http://www.606diaries.com\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>','Day 175:  Baking Lasagna in the Dishwasher','','inherit','open','open','','4682-revision-20','','','2011-03-22 13:36:06','2011-03-22 20:36:06','',4682,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4682-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(4714,1,'2011-03-22 13:36:43','2011-03-22 20:36:43','You read that correctly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho knew this sort of thing even existed?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I originally approached Todd aka Birthday Twin Genius about a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/15/day-168-its-more-than-complicated/\" target=\"_blank\">He Said/She Said cooking post</a></strong>, I envisioned our \"guy food\" to be something normal.  Like ribs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNormal Schmormal.  <strong><a href=\"http://606diaries.com/\">Todd </a></strong>suggested Dishwasher Lasagna that he heard about through his sister.  Yes, you actually \"cook\" the lasagna in the dishwasher.  This was all I needed to hear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet the kooky kitchen experiment begin!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe started with this recipe: <a href=\"http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Lasagna-in-Your-Dishwasher\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Lasagna-in-Your-Dishwasher</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI invited girlfriends to join me for dinner.  No takers.  I didn\'t take offense.  Most people find eating food cooked in the dishwasher a bit too strange.  To each her own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs fate would have it, Mr. Tall Drink of Water aka <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/21/day-174-first-first-date-in-almost-a-year/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>my first \"first date\" in nearly a year</strong></a> sent me a very romantic email (in Portuguese!) the morning of Day 175.  He cyber-whispered beautiful sweet nothings (in Portuguese!) and asked if I could come out to play at any time this afternoon or evening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow could I resist?  I invited him over for Dishwasher Lasagna.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe didn\'t skip a beat and accepted.  He dances to the beat of my drum.  That\'s a good sign.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Attention and Alert!:  Ladies, I would NEVER recommend inviting a guy that you met off the Internet to your home on a 2nd date.  No way, no how.  Remember that this one came with references through a mutual friend who thinks quite highly of him.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Tall Drink of Water arrived promptly at 5:30, the start time that Todd and I agreed on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Minor delay:  When you invite Mr.  Tall Drink of Water for dinner, and you start of the evening with a bottle of Spanish wine, time stands still.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>5:45 text message</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> How\'s it going on your end.  Rockin\' the prep?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>5:58</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> Drinking wine with a hunkie man.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">6:00</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd:</strong></span> Lol.  I won\'t bug you then.  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, talking, kissing.  Kissing, talking, wine.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Tall Drink of Water and I then begin the prep.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4692\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4693\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4694\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4695\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200006.jpg\"></a><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4696\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4699\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>\r\n7:01</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> Lasagna is in the washer and it\'s chugging along Went very very smoothly so far.  I\'m worried.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, wine, wine.  Talking, talking, talking.  Kissing, kissing, kissing.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>7:48</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> Wow...this is inedible\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>8:03</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Me: </span></strong> Uh-oh.  I\'m kinda full on wine tho so all is good.  :-)  Mine still on heated dry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd:</strong></span> I don\'t think my heated dry was long enough.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>9:13</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4697\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> Mine is yummy!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span>Well that\'s good for one of us then.  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4698\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Surprisingly -- no -- <em>shockingly</em> good!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, talking, kissing.  Kissing, talking, wine.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Kissing, kissing, kissing...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*******************************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read Todd\'s \"He Said\" version, please go to<strong> <a href=\"http://www.606diaries.com\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>','Day 175:  Baking Lasagna in the Dishwasher','','inherit','open','open','','4682-revision-21','','','2011-03-22 13:36:43','2011-03-22 20:36:43','',4682,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4682-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(4718,1,'2011-03-22 20:54:13','2011-03-23 03:54:13','There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIntriguing, is it not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 174 was exhausting.  I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind soon turned to bed bugs.  I am my mother\'s child.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wondered who before used this blankie and pillow.  Do they reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was too tired to care, and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.  Were they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room.  Do the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off?  I had no idea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortable in the not-so-comfy chair, and then my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped that no one was lurking in the hallway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCorporate America, can you make it easier on us?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug free, please.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can shut out the lights at 2 p.m.  15 minutes is all we need.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMilk and cookies optional.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPretty please?','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-revision-2','','','2011-03-22 20:54:13','2011-03-23 03:54:13','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4719,1,'2011-03-22 20:56:22','2011-03-23 03:56:22','There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIntriguing, is it not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 175 was exhausting.</a></strong> I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (I thought it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights, and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind soon turned to bed bugs.  I am my mother\'s child.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wondered who before me used this blankie and pillow.  Do these colleagues of mine reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was too tired to care, and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.  Were they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room.  Do the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off?  I had no idea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortable in the not-so-comfy chair, and then my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped that no one was lurking in the hallway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCorporate America, can you make it easier on us?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug free, please.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can shut out the lights at 2 p.m.  15 minutes is all we need.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMilk and cookies optional.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPretty please?','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-revision-3','','','2011-03-22 20:56:22','2011-03-23 03:56:22','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4720,1,'2011-03-22 21:02:55','2011-03-23 04:02:55','','4233759968_73965d5f77','','inherit','open','open','','4233759968_73965d5f77','','','2011-03-22 21:02:55','2011-03-23 04:02:55','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4721,1,'2011-03-22 21:03:49','2011-03-23 04:03:49','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4720\" title=\"4233759968_73965d5f77\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIntriguing, is it not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 175 was exhausting.</a></strong> I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (I thought it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights, and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind soon turned to bed bugs.  I am my mother\'s child.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wondered who before me used this blankie and pillow.  Do these colleagues of mine reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was too tired to care and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWere they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room?  Do the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off?  I had no idea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortably in the not-so-comfy chair, which didn\'t matter anyhow because my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped beyond hope that no one was lurking in the hallway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCorporate America, can you make it easier on us?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug free, please.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can shut out the building lights at 2 p.m.  We are a \"green\" company.  This is a good thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n15 minutes is all we need to feel thoroughly re-energized and ready to make you more money.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMilk and cookies optional.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPretty please?','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-revision-4','','','2011-03-22 21:03:49','2011-03-23 04:03:49','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4722,1,'2011-03-22 21:12:29','2011-03-23 04:12:29','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4720\" title=\"4233759968_73965d5f77\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIntriguing, is it not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 175 was exhausting.</a></strong> I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (I thought it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights, and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>My mind soon turned to bed bugs.  I am my mother\'s child.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wondered who before me used this blankie and pillow.  Do these colleagues of mine reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was too tired to care and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWere they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room?  Does the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off?  I had no idea.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortably in the not-so-comfy chair, which didn\'t matter anyhow because my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped beyond hope that no one was lurking in the hallway.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Corporate America, can you make it easier on us?</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug free, please.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can shut out the building lights at 2 p.m.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>We are a \"green\" company.  This is a good \"green\" thing as well.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n15 minutes is all we need to feel thoroughly re-energized and ready to make you more money.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMilk and cookies optional.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPretty please?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-autosave','','','2011-03-22 21:12:29','2011-03-23 04:12:29','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4723,1,'2011-03-22 21:07:39','2011-03-23 04:07:39','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4720\" title=\"4233759968_73965d5f77\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntriguing, is it not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 175 was exhausting.</a></strong> I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (I thought it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights, and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind soon turned to bed bugs.  I am my mother\'s child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wondered who before me used this blankie and pillow.  Do these colleagues of mine reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was too tired to care and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWere they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room?  Do the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off?  I had no idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortably in the not-so-comfy chair, which didn\'t matter anyhow because my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped beyond hope that no one was lurking in the hallway.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCorporate America, can you make it easier on us?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug free, please.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can shut out the building lights at 2 p.m.  We are a \"green\" company.  This is a good thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n15 minutes is all we need to feel thoroughly re-energized and ready to make you more money.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMilk and cookies optional.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPretty please?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-revision-5','','','2011-03-22 21:07:39','2011-03-23 04:07:39','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4724,1,'2011-03-22 21:09:52','2011-03-23 04:09:52','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4720\" title=\"4233759968_73965d5f77\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntriguing, is it not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 175 was exhausting.</a></strong> I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (I thought it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights, and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind soon turned to bed bugs.  I am my mother\'s child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wondered who before me used this blankie and pillow.  Do these colleagues of mine reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was too tired to care and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWere they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room?  Does the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off?  I had no idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortably in the not-so-comfy chair, which didn\'t matter anyhow because my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped beyond hope that no one was lurking in the hallway.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCorporate America, can you make it easier on us?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug free, please.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can shut out the building lights at 2 p.m.  We are a \"green\" company.  This is a good \"green\" thing as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n15 minutes is all we need to feel thoroughly re-energized and ready to make you more money.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMilk and cookies optional.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPretty please?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-revision-6','','','2011-03-22 21:09:52','2011-03-23 04:09:52','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4725,1,'2011-03-22 21:12:34','2011-03-23 04:12:34','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4720\" title=\"4233759968_73965d5f77\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntriguing, is it not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 175 was exhausting.</a></strong> I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (I thought it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights, and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>My mind soon turned to bed bugs.  I am my mother\'s child.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wondered who before me used this blankie and pillow.  Do these colleagues of mine reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was too tired to care and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWere they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room?  Does the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off?  I had no idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortably in the not-so-comfy chair, which didn\'t matter anyhow because my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped beyond hope that no one was lurking in the hallway.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Corporate America, can you make it easier on us?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug free, please.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can shut out the building lights at 2 p.m.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>We are a \"green\" company.  This is a good \"green\" thing as well.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n15 minutes is all we need to feel thoroughly re-energized and ready to make you more money.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMilk and cookies optional.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPretty please?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-revision-7','','','2011-03-22 21:12:34','2011-03-23 04:12:34','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4726,1,'2011-03-22 21:13:58','2011-03-23 04:13:58','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4720\" title=\"4233759968_73965d5f77\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntriguing, is it not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 175 was exhausting.</a></strong> I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (I thought it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights, and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>My mind soon turned to bed bugs. </strong></span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I am my mother\'s child.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wondered who before me used this blankie and pillow.  Do these colleagues of mine reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was too tired to care and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWere they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room?  Does the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off?  I had no idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortably in the not-so-comfy chair, which didn\'t matter anyhow because my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped beyond hope that no one was lurking in the hallway.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Corporate America, can you make it easier on us?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug free, please.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can shut out the building lights at 2 p.m.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>We are a \"green\" company.  This is a good \"green\" thing as well.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n15 minutes is all we need to feel thoroughly re-energized and ready to make you more money.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMilk and cookies optional.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPretty please?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-revision-8','','','2011-03-22 21:13:58','2011-03-23 04:13:58','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4727,1,'2011-03-22 21:16:05','2011-03-23 04:16:05','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4720\" title=\"4233759968_73965d5f77\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntriguing, is it not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 175 was exhausting.</a></strong> I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (I thought it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights, and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>My mind soon turned to bed bugs. </strong></span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I am my mother\'s child.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wondered who before me used this blankie and pillow.  Do these colleagues of mine reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was too tired to care and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWere they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room? <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong> Does the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off? </strong></span> I had no idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortably in the not-so-comfy chair, which didn\'t matter anyhow because my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped beyond hope that no one was lurking in the hallway.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Corporate America, can you make it easier on us?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug free, please.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can shut out the building lights at 2 p.m.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>We are a \"green\" company.  This is a good \"green\" thing as well.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n15 minutes is all we need to feel thoroughly re-energized and ready to make you more money.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMilk and cookies optional.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPretty please?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-revision-9','','','2011-03-22 21:16:05','2011-03-23 04:16:05','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(4835,1,'2011-03-31 01:11:46','2011-03-31 08:11:46','[caption id=\"attachment_4845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"My Book of Secrets\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4845\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis blog is a 365 project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd we\'re at Day 183 which means...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I\'m half way through the Year of Living Curiously!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I reflected on the journey thus far.  I\'m no Virginia Slims, but I\'ve come a long way, baby.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure that I realized just how intense this project was going to be <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/\" target=\"_blank\">when I launched on Day 1</a></strong>.  \"Living\" a soul-scintillating mini-adventure each day AND writing about it (AND facebooking about it, AND tweeting about it, AND commenting about it) is an enormous task.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s that career that I manage for 40 hours a week.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd let\'s not forget World\'s Most Precious Pooch whom I must feed, and water, and play with, and train, and exercise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember that Little Miss B was nowhere in sight on Day 1?  I never dreamed that I would bring a dog into my world during the busiest year of my life.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">Little Miss B had other plans for me on Day 43.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow life can change in 6 months!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, there have been BIG changes in my life since Day 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What\'s most interesting to me is how all of the mini-adventures are adding up to one monumental Life Experience.</strong></span> It\'s quite a ride!  I am here to attest that it\'s truly the \"little things\" that make life interesting and curious and a big bowl of cherries with whipped cream on top. <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/28/day-62-pie-for-breakfast-its-good-for-you/\" target=\"_blank\"> (Freshly whipped, of course.)</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I embarked on this journey, I created a List of Ideas in a sentimental journal that I purchased when on vacation with my Sissie and her family in Crested Butte, Colorado.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Note to self: </strong>When you\'re living the whirlwind that is this project, you don\'t have time to review the list.  Somehow, things and ideas magically come up, and you schedule them a week at a time in your old-school Franklin-Covey planner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I sat my tuckus on my sofa and perused the list.  I was about to share my favorite future ideas with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I changed my mind.  You already know a few BIG adventures on the horizon:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/08/day-132-reconnecting-the-old-fashioned-way-over-the-phone-not-on-facebook/\" target=\"_blank\">California Dreaming</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/15/day-78-are-you-an-artist-of-non-conformity/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/21/day-144-i-planned-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime/\" target=\"_blank\">The Grandmommy of Them ALL</a></strong> (I<em> really </em>may never come home).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have 182 Days of Curious Living ahead of me, peeps.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What are YOUR ideas for me?</strong></span> I already have the BIG ideas.  (Although I always welcome more.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>But let\'s remember that unless I win the lottery and I have nothing but time and money on my hands, I have real life responsibilities just like you.  The challenge is to inject a bit of sunshine into everyday life.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSooooo...Whatchya got?  Please share in the comment section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4846\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Add your idea to my Book of Secrets (mysterious way of saying &quot;ideas&quot;) in the comment section below.  Pretty please.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4846\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd THANK YOU for being a part of my world.  One of the BIGGEST rewards from this project is all of the new friends that have blessed my life by taking the time to read and support this endeavor.  I appreciate YOU!  *Hugs*\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 183:  We\'re at the Halfway Mark!','','publish','open','open','','day-183-were-at-the-halfway-mark','','http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/21/day-144-i-planned-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime/','2011-03-30 21:36:57','2011-03-31 04:36:57','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=4835',0,'post','',8),(4729,1,'2011-03-22 21:18:15','2011-03-23 04:18:15','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4720\" title=\"4233759968_73965d5f77\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4233759968_73965d5f77-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There is a Quiet Room within the hallways of the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntriguing, is it not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho uses the Quiet Room, you ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMoms who need to pump their breast milk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry.  You asked.  (Sort of.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho else uses the Quiet Room, you are afraid to ask?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople who need to make private calls on their cell phones.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(See?  You didn\'t need to be afraid after all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAny other uses for the Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYep.  I created this reason on Day 176:  The Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooking dishwasher lasagna and all of its accompanying \"side dishes\" on Day 175 was exhausting.</a></strong> I was dragging at work and in dire need of a 10 minute Power Nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo instead of taking a coffee break, I headed to the Quiet Room instead.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe Quiet Room has a comfy (not really) chair, a blanket, and a heart shaped pillow.  How sweet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI set my crackberry alarm for 15 minutes (I thought it might take me 5 to fall asleep), turned off the lights, and curled up on the floor with the blankie and pillow.  (I\'m a former early childhood teacher, so I\'m used to hanging out on the floor.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>My mind soon turned to bed bugs. </strong></span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I am my mother\'s child.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wondered who before me used this blankie and pillow.  Do these colleagues of mine reside in a bed bug infested home, and could they have possibly transferred their bed bud infestation to the sacred Quiet Room?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was too tired to care and kept nestling into the pillow and blankie.  I am my father\'s child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then heard someone turning the door knob.  Great.  It was locked, but still.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWere they going to wait outside the door while wondering what the heck I was doing in a pitch black room? <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong> Does the breast pumping brigade keep the lights on or off? </strong></span> I had no idea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI moved to the chair in case someone retrieved the key from HR to break into the room.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t position myself comfortably in the not-so-comfy chair, which didn\'t matter anyhow because my blackberry alarm startled me into an upright position.  I turned on the lights and hoped beyond hope that no one was lurking in the hallway.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI opened the door to emptiness.  Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Corporate America, can you make it easier on us?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have heard of the benefits of the Power Nap for 20+ years now!  You know it\'s going to make us more effective during the mid-afternoon slump.  What\'s the big deal?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs a former early childhood teacher, may I suggest cots, blankies and pillows?  (Bed bug-free, please.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can shut out the building lights at 2 p.m.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>We are a \"green\" company.  This is a good \"green\" thing as well.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n15 minutes is all we need to feel thoroughly re-energized and ready to make you more money.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMilk and cookies optional.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPretty please?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 176:  The Quiet Room ','','inherit','open','open','','4716-revision-10','','','2011-03-22 21:18:15','2011-03-23 04:18:15','',4716,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4716-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(4730,1,'2011-03-24 12:36:46','2011-03-24 19:36:46','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/sliceofchic/4941627622/sizes/m/\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4736\" title=\"marshmallows\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/marshmallows-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" /></a>As I\'ve said before, there are 2 things I won\'t do for this blog:  swim with sharks and skydive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllison has done both.  You go, girl!  She challenged me to a game of Chubby Bunny during a coffee break at work.  Nothing like breaking up the monotony of the day with fun and games.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it\'s all fun and games until somebody chokes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCooleenie (who chose not to play) was very, very concerned over the potential choking hazard in Chubby Bunny.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never heard of this \"game\" before.  Have you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can\'t remember where Allison hails from, but from her Scandinavian looks, I\'m going to guess somewhere way up north (Minnesota?) where kids stuff their mouths full of marshmallows for kicks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/IKLs29QhEBg\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp; \r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/DqujNcNorHw\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 177:  Chubby Bunny','','publish','open','open','','day-177-chubby-bunny','','','2011-03-24 12:36:46','2011-03-24 19:36:46','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=4730',0,'post','',14),(4731,1,'2011-03-23 18:24:47','2011-03-24 01:24:47','As I\'ve said before, there are 2 things I won\'t do for this blog:  swim with sharks and skydive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAllison has done both.  You go, girl!  She challenged me to a game of Chubby Bunny during a coffee break.','Day 177:  Chubby Bunny','','inherit','open','open','','4730-revision','','','2011-03-23 18:24:47','2011-03-24 01:24:47','',4730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/23/4730-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4732,1,'2011-03-24 11:58:25','2011-03-24 18:58:25','As I\'ve said before, there are 2 things I won\'t do for this blog:  swim with sharks and skydive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAllison has done both.  You go, girl!  She challenged me to a game of Chubby Bunny during a coffee break at work.  Nothing like breaking up the monotony of the day with fun and games.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd it\'s all fun and games until somebody chokes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCooleenie (who chose not to play) was very, very concerned over the potential choking hazard in Chubby Bunny.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had never heard of this \"game\" before.  Have you?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can\'t remember where Allison hails from, but from her Scandinavian looks, I\'m going to guess somewhere way up north (Minnesota?) where kids stuff their mouths full of marshmallows for kicks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 177:  Chubby Bunny','','inherit','open','open','','4730-revision-2','','','2011-03-24 11:58:25','2011-03-24 18:58:25','',4730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4730-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4733,1,'2011-03-24 12:08:55','2011-03-24 19:08:55','As I\'ve said before, there are 2 things I won\'t do for this blog:  swim with sharks and skydive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAllison has done both.  You go, girl!  She challenged me to a game of Chubby Bunny during a coffee break at work.  Nothing like breaking up the monotony of the day with fun and games.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/IKLs29QhEBg\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\n\n\nAnd it\'s all fun and games until somebody chokes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCooleenie (who chose not to play) was very, very concerned over the potential choking hazard in Chubby Bunny.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had never heard of this \"game\" before.  Have you?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can\'t remember where Allison hails from, but from her Scandinavian looks, I\'m going to guess somewhere way up north (Minnesota?) where kids stuff their mouths full of marshmallows for kicks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 177:  Chubby Bunny','','inherit','open','open','','4730-revision-3','','','2011-03-24 12:08:55','2011-03-24 19:08:55','',4730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4730-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4734,1,'2011-03-24 12:09:53','2011-03-24 19:09:53','As I\'ve said before, there are 2 things I won\'t do for this blog:  swim with sharks and skydive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllison has done both.  You go, girl!  She challenged me to a game of Chubby Bunny during a coffee break at work.  Nothing like breaking up the monotony of the day with fun and games.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/IKLs29QhEBg\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp; \r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/DqujNcNorHw\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\nAnd it\'s all fun and games until somebody chokes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCooleenie (who chose not to play) was very, very concerned over the potential choking hazard in Chubby Bunny.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never heard of this \"game\" before.  Have you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can\'t remember where Allison hails from, but from her Scandinavian looks, I\'m going to guess somewhere way up north (Minnesota?) where kids stuff their mouths full of marshmallows for kicks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 177:  Chubby Bunny','','inherit','open','open','','4730-revision-4','','','2011-03-24 12:09:53','2011-03-24 19:09:53','',4730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4730-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4735,1,'2011-03-24 12:10:53','2011-03-24 19:10:53','As I\'ve said before, there are 2 things I won\'t do for this blog:  swim with sharks and skydive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllison has done both.  You go, girl!  She challenged me to a game of Chubby Bunny during a coffee break at work.  Nothing like breaking up the monotony of the day with fun and games.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it\'s all fun and games until somebody chokes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCooleenie (who chose not to play) was very, very concerned over the potential choking hazard in Chubby Bunny.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never heard of this \"game\" before.  Have you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can\'t remember where Allison hails from, but from her Scandinavian looks, I\'m going to guess somewhere way up north (Minnesota?) where kids stuff their mouths full of marshmallows for kicks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/IKLs29QhEBg\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp; \r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/DqujNcNorHw\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>','Day 177:  Chubby Bunny','','inherit','open','open','','4730-revision-5','','','2011-03-24 12:10:53','2011-03-24 19:10:53','',4730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4730-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4737,1,'2011-03-24 12:16:39','2011-03-24 19:16:39','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/sliceofchic/4941627622/sizes/m/\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4736\" title=\"marshmallows\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/marshmallows-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" /></a>As I\'ve said before, there are 2 things I won\'t do for this blog:  swim with sharks and skydive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAllison has done both.  You go, girl!  She challenged me to a game of Chubby Bunny during a coffee break at work.  Nothing like breaking up the monotony of the day with fun and games.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd it\'s all fun and games until somebody chokes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCooleenie (who chose not to play) was very, very concerned over the potential choking hazard in Chubby Bunny.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had never heard of this \"game\" before.  Have you?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can\'t remember where Allison hails from, but from her Scandinavian looks, I\'m going to guess somewhere way up north (Minnesota?) where kids stuff their mouths full of marshmallows for kicks.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 177:  Chubby Bunny','','inherit','open','open','','4730-revision-6','','','2011-03-24 12:16:39','2011-03-24 19:16:39','',4730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4730-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4736,1,'2011-03-24 12:15:28','2011-03-24 19:15:28','','marshmallows','','inherit','open','open','','marshmallows','','','2011-03-24 12:15:28','2011-03-24 19:15:28','',4730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/marshmallows.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4738,1,'2011-03-24 12:16:42','2011-03-24 19:16:42','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/sliceofchic/4941627622/sizes/m/\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4736\" title=\"marshmallows\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/marshmallows-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" /></a>As I\'ve said before, there are 2 things I won\'t do for this blog:  swim with sharks and skydive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllison has done both.  You go, girl!  She challenged me to a game of Chubby Bunny during a coffee break at work.  Nothing like breaking up the monotony of the day with fun and games.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it\'s all fun and games until somebody chokes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCooleenie (who chose not to play) was very, very concerned over the potential choking hazard in Chubby Bunny.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never heard of this \"game\" before.  Have you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can\'t remember where Allison hails from, but from her Scandinavian looks, I\'m going to guess somewhere way up north (Minnesota?) where kids stuff their mouths full of marshmallows for kicks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/IKLs29QhEBg\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp; \r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/DqujNcNorHw\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 177:  Chubby Bunny','','inherit','open','open','','4730-revision-7','','','2011-03-24 12:16:42','2011-03-24 19:16:42','',4730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4730-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4739,1,'2011-03-24 12:18:41','2011-03-24 19:18:41','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/sliceofchic/4941627622/sizes/m/\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4736\" title=\"marshmallows\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/marshmallows-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" /></a>As I\'ve said before, there are 2 things I won\'t do for this blog:  swim with sharks and skydive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllison has done both.  You go, girl!  She challenged me to a game of Chubby Bunny during a coffee break at work.  Nothing like breaking up the monotony of the day with fun and games.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it\'s all fun and games until somebody chokes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCooleenie (who chose not to play) was very, very concerned over the potential choking hazard in Chubby Bunny.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never heard of this \"game\" before.  Have you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can\'t remember where Allison hails from, but from her Scandinavian looks, I\'m going to guess somewhere way up north (Minnesota?) where kids stuff their mouths full of marshmallows for kicks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/IKLs29QhEBg\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp; \r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/DqujNcNorHw\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 177:  Chubby Bunny','','inherit','open','open','','4730-revision-8','','','2011-03-24 12:18:41','2011-03-24 19:18:41','',4730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4730-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4740,1,'2011-03-25 01:11:09','2011-03-25 08:11:09','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Drink of Water\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Drink of Water, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Drink of Water\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Drink of Water arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the unsweetened chocolate (which is 100% cacao, and how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li>I want to own a bakery.</li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','publish','open','open','','day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever','','http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/','2011-03-25 12:00:07','2011-03-25 19:00:07','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=4740',0,'post','',12),(4741,1,'2011-03-24 19:34:33','2011-03-25 02:34:33','Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n:-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  They are our own unique and special holiday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  The old-fashioned way.  My Nana would be so proud.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would so have cheated and just mixed everything together.  How does a sift-less cake turn out I wonder.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not Bella) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is ridic.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is a blast.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI want to own bakery.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave I lost my mind?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAhhhh....This was worth it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision','','','2011-03-24 19:34:33','2011-03-25 02:34:33','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4742,1,'2011-03-24 19:42:21','2011-03-25 02:42:21','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer! ','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-270','','','2011-03-24 19:42:21','2011-03-25 02:42:21','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4745,1,'2011-03-24 19:46:32','2011-03-25 02:46:32','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Where on EARTH did this come from?','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-271','','','2011-03-24 19:46:32','2011-03-25 02:46:32','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4743,1,'2011-03-24 19:43:03','2011-03-25 02:43:03','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a><dl id=\"attachment_4742\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"width: 310px;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer! </dd></dl></div>\nMr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s</strong> birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n:-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  They are our own unique and personal holiday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  The old-fashioned way.  My Nana would be so proud.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is ridic.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is a blast.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI want to own bakery.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave I lost my mind?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-2','','','2011-03-24 19:43:03','2011-03-25 02:43:03','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4744,1,'2011-03-24 19:43:13','2011-03-25 02:43:13','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a><dl id=\"attachment_4742\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"width: 310px;\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer! </dd></dl></div>\r\nMr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s</strong> birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  They are our own unique and personal holiday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  The old-fashioned way.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is ridic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is a blast.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI want to own bakery.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave I lost my mind?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-3','','','2011-03-24 19:43:13','2011-03-25 02:43:13','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4746,1,'2011-03-24 19:47:49','2011-03-25 02:47:49','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-272','','','2011-03-24 19:47:49','2011-03-25 02:47:49','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4747,1,'2011-03-24 19:45:56','2011-03-25 02:45:56','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n:-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  They are our own unique and personal holiday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  The old-fashioned way.  My Nana would be so proud.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is ridic.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is a blast.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI want to own bakery.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave I lost my mind?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-4','','','2011-03-24 19:45:56','2011-03-25 02:45:56','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4748,1,'2011-03-24 19:50:32','2011-03-25 02:50:32','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n:-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  They are our own unique and personal holiday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  The old-fashioned way.  My Nana would be so proud.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is ridic.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is a blast.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI want to own bakery.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave I lost my mind?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a touch of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-5','','','2011-03-24 19:50:32','2011-03-25 02:50:32','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4749,1,'2011-03-24 19:50:37','2011-03-25 02:50:37','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  They are our own unique and personal holiday.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  The old-fashioned way.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is ridic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is a blast.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI want to own bakery.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave I lost my mind?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a touch of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-6','','','2011-03-24 19:50:37','2011-03-25 02:50:37','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4750,1,'2011-03-24 19:52:10','2011-03-25 02:52:10','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n:-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  They are our own unique and personal holiday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  The old-fashioned way.  My Nana would be so proud.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is ridic.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is a blast.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI want to own bakery.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave I lost my mind?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a touch of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-7','','','2011-03-24 19:52:10','2011-03-25 02:52:10','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4751,1,'2011-03-24 19:54:21','2011-03-25 02:54:21','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n:-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  They are our own unique and personal holiday.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is ridic.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is a blast.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI want to own bakery.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave I lost my mind?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a touch of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-8','','','2011-03-24 19:54:21','2011-03-25 02:54:21','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4752,1,'2011-03-24 19:54:21','2011-03-25 02:54:21','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is ridic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is a blast.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI want to own bakery.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave I lost my mind?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a touch of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-9','','','2011-03-24 19:54:21','2011-03-25 02:54:21','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(4753,1,'2011-03-24 19:55:40','2011-03-25 02:55:40','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n:-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is ridic.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is a blast.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI want to own bakery.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave I lost my mind?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a touch of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-10','','','2011-03-24 19:55:40','2011-03-25 02:55:40','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(4754,1,'2011-03-24 19:57:16','2011-03-25 02:57:16','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n:-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is ridic.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is a blast.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI want to own bakery.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave I lost my mind?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-11','','','2011-03-24 19:57:16','2011-03-25 02:57:16','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(4755,1,'2011-03-25 11:59:55','2011-03-25 18:59:55','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Drink of Water\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n:-(\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Drink of Water, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Drink of Water\'s mouth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n<ul>\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\n</ul>\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<ul>\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Drink of Water arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the unsweetened chocolate (which is 100% cacao, and how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\n	<li>I want to own a bakery.</li>\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\n</ul>\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-autosave','','','2011-03-25 11:59:55','2011-03-25 18:59:55','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4756,1,'2011-03-24 20:00:58','2011-03-25 03:00:58','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting with the Instant Fudge Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is ridic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is a blast.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI want to own bakery.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave I lost my mind?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-12','','','2011-03-24 20:00:58','2011-03-25 03:00:58','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(4757,1,'2011-03-24 20:03:46','2011-03-25 03:03:46','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is ridic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is a blast.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI want to own bakery.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave I lost my mind?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-13','','','2011-03-24 20:03:46','2011-03-25 03:03:46','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(4758,1,'2011-03-24 20:05:37','2011-03-25 03:05:37','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is ridic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is a blast.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI want to own bakery.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave I lost my mind?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-14','','','2011-03-24 20:05:37','2011-03-25 03:05:37','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(4759,1,'2011-03-24 20:05:48','2011-03-25 03:05:48','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBuying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInvesting your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOpen freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is ridic.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is a blast.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI want to own bakery.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave I lost my mind?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-15','','','2011-03-24 20:05:48','2011-03-25 03:05:48','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(4760,1,'2011-03-24 20:09:09','2011-03-25 03:09:09','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>I want to own bakery.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-16','','','2011-03-24 20:09:09','2011-03-25 03:09:09','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(4761,1,'2011-03-24 20:10:01','2011-03-25 03:10:01','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li>I want to own bakery.</li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-17','','','2011-03-24 20:10:01','2011-03-25 03:10:01','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(4762,1,'2011-03-24 20:10:26','2011-03-25 03:10:26','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li>I want to own bakery.</li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-18','','','2011-03-24 20:10:26','2011-03-25 03:10:26','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(4763,1,'2011-03-24 20:11:40','2011-03-25 03:11:40','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li>I want to own bakery.</li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-19','','','2011-03-24 20:11:40','2011-03-25 03:11:40','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(4764,1,'2011-03-24 20:12:18','2011-03-25 03:12:18','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li>I want to own bakery.</li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-20','','','2011-03-24 20:12:18','2011-03-25 03:12:18','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(4765,1,'2011-03-24 20:15:50','2011-03-25 03:15:50','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the unsweetened chocolate/100% cacao (how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li>I want to own a bakery.</li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-21','','','2011-03-24 20:15:50','2011-03-25 03:15:50','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(4766,1,'2011-03-24 20:17:08','2011-03-25 03:17:08','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the unsweetened chocolate (which is 100% cacao, and how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li>I want to own a bakery.</li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-22','','','2011-03-24 20:17:08','2011-03-25 03:17:08','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(4767,1,'2011-03-22 13:37:50','2011-03-22 20:37:50','You read that correctly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho knew this sort of thing even existed?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I originally approached Todd aka Birthday Twin Genius about a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/15/day-168-its-more-than-complicated/\" target=\"_blank\">He Said/She Said cooking post</a></strong>, I envisioned our \"guy food\" to be something normal.  Like ribs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNormal Schmormal.  <strong><a href=\"http://606diaries.com/\">Todd </a></strong>suggested Dishwasher Lasagna that he heard about through his sister.  Yes, you actually \"cook\" the lasagna in the dishwasher.  This was all I needed to hear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet the kooky kitchen experiment begin!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe started with this recipe: <a href=\"http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Lasagna-in-Your-Dishwasher\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Lasagna-in-Your-Dishwasher</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI invited girlfriends to join me for dinner.  No takers.  I didn\'t take offense.  Most people find eating food cooked in the dishwasher a bit too strange.  To each her own.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs fate would have it, Mr. Tall Drink of Water aka <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/21/day-174-first-first-date-in-almost-a-year/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>my first \"first date\" in nearly a year</strong></a> sent me a very romantic email (in Portuguese!) the morning of Day 175.  He cyber-whispered beautiful sweet nothings (in Portuguese!) and asked if I could come out to play at any time this afternoon or evening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow could I resist?  I invited him over for Dishwasher Lasagna.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe didn\'t skip a beat and accepted.  He dances to the beat of my drum.  That\'s a good sign.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Attention and Alert!:  Ladies, I would NEVER recommend inviting a guy that you met off the Internet to your home on a 2nd date.  No way, no how.  Remember that this one came with references through a mutual friend who thinks quite highly of him.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Tall Drink of Water arrived promptly at 5:30, the start time that Todd and I agreed on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Minor delay:  When you invite Mr.  Tall Drink of Water for dinner, and you start of the evening with a bottle of Spanish wine, time stands still.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>5:45 text message</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> How\'s it going on your end.  Rockin\' the prep?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>5:58</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me: </strong></span> Drinking wine with a hunkie man.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">6:00</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd:</strong></span> Lol.  I won\'t bug you then.  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, talking, kissing.  Kissing, talking, wine.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMr. Tall Drink of Water and I then begin the prep.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4692\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4693\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4694\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4695\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200006.jpg\"></a><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4696\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4699\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>\r\n7:01</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> Lasagna is in the washer and it\'s chugging along Went very very smoothly so far.  I\'m worried.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, wine, wine.  Talking, talking, talking.  Kissing, kissing, kissing.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>7:48</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span> Wow...this is inedible\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>8:03</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Me: </span></strong> Uh-oh.  I\'m kinda full on wine tho so all is good.  :-)  Mine still on heated dry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd:</strong></span> I don\'t think my heated dry was long enough.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>9:13</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4697\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span> Mine is yummy!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Todd: </strong></span>Well that\'s good for one of us then.  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4698\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3200009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Surprisingly -- no -- <em>shockingly</em> good!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Wine, talking, kissing.  Kissing, talking, wine.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Kissing, kissing, kissing...</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*******************************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read Todd\'s \"He Said\" version, please go to his blog <strong><a href=\"http://www.606diaries.com\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>','Day 175:  Baking Lasagna in the Dishwasher','','inherit','open','open','','4682-revision-22','','','2011-03-22 13:37:50','2011-03-22 20:37:50','',4682,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/4682-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(4768,1,'2011-03-24 20:18:15','2011-03-25 03:18:15','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the unsweetened chocolate (which is 100% cacao, and how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li>I want to own a bakery.</li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-23','','','2011-03-24 20:18:15','2011-03-25 03:18:15','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/24/4740-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(4769,1,'2011-03-25 10:20:56','2011-03-25 17:20:56','<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4742\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You, too, can bake this cake sans Kitchen Aid or other fancy schmancy mixer!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4742 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></strong>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/22/day-175-baking-lasagna-in-the-dishwasher/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s </a></strong>birthday arrived without a bang.  On the night of his actual birthday (Day 177), he had music rehearsal.  No celebrations.  No cake.  Nothing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n:-(\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big fan of birthdays.  Your birthday is your very own personal holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I needed to do something special for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.  I invited him over for dinner and birthday cake on Day 178.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf I\'m going to bake a birthday cake (which I haven\'t done in YEARS), then I\'m going to do it right.  From scratch.  My Nana would be so proud.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI googled \"Best Birthday Cake\" and found <strong><a href=\"http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/\" target=\"_blank\">this delectable recipe at Smitten Kitchen</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe had me at \"smitten\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, if you\'re going to bake a birthday cake for Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, \"smitten\" would be an awfully nice outcome, no?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI took the plunge and committed to this recipe.  I did not need to see any others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5 minutes of self-debate, I did opt to substitute the Instant Fudge Frosting for the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting.  Some of Ms. Smitten\'s gazillion readers (Holy Comment Section, Batman!) commented that the sour cream frosting might be a wee bit too sour. I\'m up for trying something interesting, but I wasn\'t willing to risk leaving a sour taste in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome\'s mouth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Random \"Baking a Cake from Scratch\" Thoughts:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Cakes reside in my favorite of all the food groups, the \"sweet group\".   Therefore, you may want to remember to add the sugar.  Luckily, I remembered at the final mix and no disaster ensued.  Whew!  Close call!</li>\r\n	<li>\"Sifting\" is an anaerobic activity.  If I had not been cooking this cake for someone else, I would sooooo have cheated and just mixed everything together.  (How does a sift-less cake turn out, I wonder?)</li>\r\n	<li>How is it that I even OWN a sifter???  Mom???  Did you pass this on to me at some point in my life?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4745\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Where on EARTH did this come from?\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4745\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Buying a cake from the bakery is less expensive (and infinitely less time consuming) than baking your own.</li>\r\n	<li>Investing your $$$, time, and soul into baking a cake from scratch is priceless.</li>\r\n	<li>I need to frost this puppy (the cake, not <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/12/day-106-canine-modeling-its-a-ruff-life/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella</a></strong>) in exactly 1/2 an hour so it\'s ready for when Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome arrives.  You mean I was supposed to let the unsweetened chocolate (which is 100% cacao, and how do you pronounce \"cacao\", anyway?) cool???  How did I not see this earlier???</li>\r\n	<li>Open freezer, insert hot cacao.  Pray that you have not committed a cardinal Smitten Kitchen sin.</li>\r\n	<li>This is ridic.</li>\r\n	<li>This is a blast.</li>\r\n	<li>I want to own a bakery.</li>\r\n	<li>Have I lost my mind?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAhhhh....This was sooooo worth it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I added a few dashes of ground Illy espresso to the frosting for a magical added touch.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4746  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3230009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Verdict: </strong></span> Smitten.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 178:  Best Birthday Cake Ever','','inherit','open','open','','4740-revision-24','','','2011-03-25 10:20:56','2011-03-25 17:20:56','',4740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4740-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(4770,1,'2011-03-26 01:11:59','2011-03-26 08:11:59','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3240001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3240001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, I could stay up late with no issue.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>When I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was a nice thought.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Little Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhy she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when din din is plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  She chooses to snub her food and then caves in at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I slept for 9 hours.  9 HOURS!  On a week night!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','publish','open','open','','day-179-bedtime-personal-best','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/','2011-03-25 19:27:21','2011-03-26 02:27:21','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=4770',0,'post','',6),(4771,1,'2011-03-25 12:08:37','2011-03-25 19:08:37','There are people amongst us that go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at this phenomenon.   I seem to catch 2nd, 3rd, and 4th winds after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.','Day 179:  Earliest Bedtime Ever ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision','','','2011-03-25 12:08:37','2011-03-25 19:08:37','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4772,1,'2011-03-25 13:03:21','2011-03-25 20:03:21','There are people amongst us that go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at these people.   I seem to catch 2nd, 3rd, and 4th winds after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping for 8 hours during the work week.  And I\'m an 8 hours kinda girl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with the Earliest Bedtime of My Life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI told myself that\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Earliest Bedtime Ever ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-2','','','2011-03-25 13:03:21','2011-03-25 20:03:21','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4773,1,'2011-03-25 16:35:54','2011-03-25 23:35:54','There are people amongst us that go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at these people.   I seem to catch 2nd, 3rd, and 4th winds after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping for 8 hours during the work week.  And I\'m an 8 hours kinda girl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with the Earliest Bedtime of My Life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into dreamworld at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was a nice thought.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReal life:  I wrote my <strong>Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</strong> until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.  Why she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  Nope.  She inhales her food at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, really wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI skipped flossing to save time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right Dr. B?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and started to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys out of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was asleep at 9:30.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI slept for 9 hours.  9 hours!  On a week night!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\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\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Earliest Bedtime Ever ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-3','','','2011-03-25 16:35:54','2011-03-25 23:35:54','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4774,1,'2011-03-25 16:36:45','2011-03-25 23:36:45','There are people amongst us that go to bed at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have always marveled at these people.   I seem to catch 2nd, 3rd, and 4th winds after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping for 8 hours during the work week.  And I\'m an 8 hours kinda girl.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with the Earliest Bedtime of My Life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into dreamworld at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was a nice thought.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReal life:  I wrote my <strong>Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</strong> until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.  Why she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  Nope.  She inhales her food at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, really wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI skipped flossing to save time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right Dr. B?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and started to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys out of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was asleep at 9:30.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI slept for 9 hours.  9 hours!  On a week night!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so square after all.  Perhaps they are the smartest amongst us.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Earliest Bedtime Ever ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-4','','','2011-03-25 16:36:45','2011-03-25 23:36:45','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4775,1,'2011-03-25 16:36:53','2011-03-25 23:36:53','There are people amongst us that go to bed at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have always marveled at these people.   I seem to catch 2nd, 3rd, and 4th winds after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping for 8 hours during the work week.  And I\'m an 8 hours kinda girl.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with the Earliest Bedtime of My Life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into dreamworld at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was a nice thought.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReal life:  I wrote my <strong>Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</strong> until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.  Why she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  Nope.  She inhales her food at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, really wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI skipped flossing to save time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right Dr. B?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and started to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys out of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was asleep at 9:30.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI slept for 9 hours.  9 hours!  On a week night!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so square after all.  Perhaps they are the smartest amongst us.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Earliest Bedtime Ever ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-5','','','2011-03-25 16:36:53','2011-03-25 23:36:53','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4776,1,'2011-03-25 18:54:20','2011-03-26 01:54:20','There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at these people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with the Earliest Bedtime of My Life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was a nice thought.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs and corrects for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.  Why she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  Nope.  She inhales her food at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI slept for 9 hours.  9 hours!  On a week night!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the smartest amongst us.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-6','','','2011-03-25 18:54:20','2011-03-26 01:54:20','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4777,1,'2011-03-25 18:57:44','2011-03-26 01:57:44','There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was a nice thought.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs and corrects for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.  Why she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  Nope.  She inhales her food at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI slept for 9 hours.  9 hours!  On a week night!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-7','','','2011-03-25 18:57:44','2011-03-26 01:57:44','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4778,1,'2011-03-25 19:00:42','2011-03-26 02:00:42','There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>When I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was a nice thought.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.  Why she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  Nope.  She inhales her food at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI slept for 9 hours.  9 hours!  On a week night!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-8','','','2011-03-25 19:00:42','2011-03-26 02:00:42','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4779,1,'2011-03-25 19:02:06','2011-03-26 02:02:06','There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>When I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was a nice thought.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.  Why she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  She  her food at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI slept for 9 hours.  9 hours!  On a week night!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-9','','','2011-03-25 19:02:06','2011-03-26 02:02:06','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(4780,1,'2011-03-25 19:05:44','2011-03-26 02:05:44','There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>When I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was a nice thought.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.  Why she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  She chooses to snub her food and then caves in at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I slept for 9 hours.  9 HOURS!  On a week night!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-10','','','2011-03-25 19:05:44','2011-03-26 02:05:44','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(4781,1,'2011-03-25 19:05:59','2011-03-26 02:05:59','There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>When I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was a nice thought.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Little Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.</strong></span> Why she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  She chooses to snub her food and then caves in at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I slept for 9 hours.  9 HOURS!  On a week night!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-11','','','2011-03-25 19:05:59','2011-03-26 02:05:59','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(4782,1,'2011-03-25 19:06:37','2011-03-26 02:06:37','There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, this was not a problem.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>When I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was a nice thought.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Little Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhy she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  She chooses to snub her food and then caves in at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I slept for 9 hours.  9 HOURS!  On a week night!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-12','','','2011-03-25 19:06:37','2011-03-26 02:06:37','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(4783,1,'2011-03-25 19:25:25','2011-03-26 02:25:25','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-273','','','2011-03-25 19:25:25','2011-03-26 02:25:25','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3240001.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4784,1,'2011-03-25 19:26:02','2011-03-26 02:26:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3240001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3240001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, I could stay up late with no issue.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>When I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was a nice thought.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Little Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhy she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  She chooses to snub her food and then caves in at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I slept for 9 hours.  9 HOURS!  On a week night!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-13','','','2011-03-25 19:26:02','2011-03-26 02:26:02','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(4785,1,'2011-03-25 19:27:13','2011-03-26 02:27:13','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3240001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3240001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, I could stay up late with no issue.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>When I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was a nice thought.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Little Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhy she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  She chooses to snub her food and then caves in at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I slept for 9 hours.  9 HOURS!  On a week night!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-autosave','','','2011-03-25 19:27:13','2011-03-26 02:27:13','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4786,1,'2011-03-25 19:26:08','2011-03-26 02:26:08','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3240001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4783\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3240001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>There are people amongst us who go to bed at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have always marveled at these strange people.   I seem to catch a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind after dinner.  I can\'t imagine being able to physically fall asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was self-employed for most of my working career, I could stay up late with no issue.  Now that I am not as flexible with my own hours, I need to get to bed at a decent time.  This usually translates to somewhere around 10:30 which translates to never sleeping 8 hours on a week night which translates to dragging through my afternoons.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis week in particular, I was <em>exhausted</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, I am nearly half-way through my <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>365 project</strong></a>.  Everyone\'s first question when they hear about the project is, \"HOW can you keep up with that?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure how, but I do.  And sometimes I get really, <em>really </em>tired.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Secondly,  I stayed up late a few evenings this week with Mr. Tall Drink of Water.  I can\'t think of a better reason for feeling tired the next day, but...</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 179, I was so bone-numbingly tired, that I arrived home from work and realized that I forgot (and then quickly remembered, thankfully), to live my \"blog day\".  In fact, I had no recollection whatsoever as to what soul-scintillating activity I was to \"live\" on this day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to my Franklin-Covey planner in a panic.  (Yes, I still have one, and I\'m holding on to it for dear life.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy entry for the day was actually something quite easy which I could have injected into my evening routine for a bit of inspiration of fun.  However, I decided to reschedule for next week and substitute the day\'s activity with <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The Earliest Bedtime of My Life.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>When I am so worn out that I\'m losing track of the important stuff, nothing could be more soul-scintillating than a drastic sleep intervention.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI told myself that I would turn in at 8:30.  After washing my face, brushing &amp; flossing, applying various lotions &amp; potions, and reading, I would magically fade off into la-la-land at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt was a nice thought.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Real life: </strong></span> I wrote my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\">Smitten Kitchen Best Birthday Cake Ever blog post</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/day-178-best-birthday-cake-ever/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>until 8:15 p.m.  I worried that I would make many mistakes due to sleep deprivation.  (My Dad always proofs for me the next morning.  Thanks, Da!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then needed to unload my dishwasher and stack with newly dirty dishes.  Entering my 3rd wind, I took a Zyrtec at 8:30 p.m. in an effort to make me extra sleepy by 9 p.m.  I continued to clean and figured that I\'d cut out the bedtime story in the interest of time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Little Miss B entered the kitchen at 8:45 p.m. and decided to scarf down her uneaten bowl of dog food made with human grade ingredients.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhy she is such a fussy eater when I buy her only the best, I will never know.  Why she can\'t eat like a normal pooch when it\'s plopped down in front of her at 6:30 p.m., I will never know.  She chooses to snub her food and then caves in at bedtime.  Which means, of course, that she\'ll now have to poop.  In 20 minutes or so.  Greaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 8:55 p.m., I took Little Miss B out to poop.  Nothing except another Great Cricket Hunting Adventure.  Greaaaaaat.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI forced myself to wrap up my day and retired to my bedroom at 9 p.m.  I really, really, <em>really</em> wanted to watch Top Chef (DVR\'d from the night prior), but I didn\'t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI skipped flossing to save more time.  I just had my teeth cleaned two days prior, so I\'m allowed to cheat, right, <strong><a href=\"http://www.studiobsmiles.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. B</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B caught a 4th wind and proceeded to squeak every toy in sight.  I hid the toys outside of the bedroom and settled in a for long spring nap.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nZyrtec rocks.  I started to feel mega sleepy about 4 pages into my book.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tucked Bella into her dog bed and shut off the lights.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was asleep circa 9:30.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI dreamed that I was directing a children\'s play, and I needed to be home early so that I could be asleep at 9 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I slept for 9 hours.  9 HOURS!  On a week night!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt work, I was able to tackle 4 large proposals in a single bound.  I had energy to spare.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat a difference an hour or two makes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe those 9 p.m. bedtimers who walk amongst us aren\'t so strange after all.  Perhaps they are the other \"s\" word:  Smart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 179:  Bedtime Personal Best ','','inherit','open','open','','4770-revision-14','','','2011-03-25 19:26:08','2011-03-26 02:26:08','',4770,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/25/4770-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(4787,1,'2011-03-27 01:11:30','2011-03-27 08:11:30','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4795\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Recently, I have been invited to children\'s birthday parties.  I suspect this is because I\'m a big kid myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, I was jumping my way through a bouncy castle at Laney\'s 7 year-old boy\'s birthday fiesta.  Video footage of this nonsense can be found <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/14/day-167-tiggers-are-not-the-only-one-who-are-bouncy-flouncy-trouncy-pouncy/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis Friday night, it was Christy Jo\'s 7 year-old girl\'s turn.  I BEGGED (and I do mean BEGGED) Christy Jo to allow me to play Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo explained that these girls are too young.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t see how this was going to be a Slumber Party without Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board or Bloody Mary, but I also didn\'t want to be responsible for traumatizing the birthday girl.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe found other ways to have age-appropriate girlie fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Slumber Parties Rule!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4788\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4789\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo\'s specialty:  Blue Tiger Stripes.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4790\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4791\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy speciality:  Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.  An aesthetician, I am not.  Oops!  I forgot a toenail!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4792\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo read somewhere that it\'s not sugar that makes children hyper, it\'s the activities that they engage in while eating sugar.  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4793\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P32500091.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4799\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P32500091-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left these little darlings at 10:45.  I wasn\'t planning on staying that late, but I was sucked into <em>Enchanted</em>.  I adore that movie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Christy Jo was under the impression that these girl are still young enough to crash and sleep.  He he he.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nReport from Christy Jo on Saturday:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"They slept all night til almost 7 a.m.!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow.  You lucked out, girlfriend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnother message from Christy Jo:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"We found another missed toe.  Same toe, other foot!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGood thing I never went to beauty school.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 180:  I Crashed a Slumber Party','','publish','open','open','','day-180-i-crashed-a-slumber-party','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/14/day-167-tiggers-are-not-the-only-one-who-are-bouncy-flouncy-trouncy-pouncy/','2011-03-26 15:56:39','2011-03-26 22:56:39','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=4787',0,'post','',9),(4788,1,'2011-03-26 15:25:11','2011-03-26 22:25:11','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-274','','','2011-03-26 15:25:11','2011-03-26 22:25:11','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4789,1,'2011-03-26 15:26:13','2011-03-26 22:26:13','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-275','','','2011-03-26 15:26:13','2011-03-26 22:26:13','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4790,1,'2011-03-26 15:27:14','2011-03-26 22:27:14','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-276','','','2011-03-26 15:27:14','2011-03-26 22:27:14','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4791,1,'2011-03-26 15:28:32','2011-03-26 22:28:32','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-277','','','2011-03-26 15:28:32','2011-03-26 22:28:32','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4792,1,'2011-03-26 15:29:36','2011-03-26 22:29:36','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-278','','','2011-03-26 15:29:36','2011-03-26 22:29:36','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4793,1,'2011-03-26 15:30:38','2011-03-26 22:30:38','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-279','','','2011-03-26 15:30:38','2011-03-26 22:30:38','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4794,1,'2011-03-26 15:34:24','2011-03-26 22:34:24','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-280','','','2011-03-26 15:34:24','2011-03-26 22:34:24','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250009.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4795,1,'2011-03-26 15:35:18','2011-03-26 22:35:18','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-281','','','2011-03-26 15:35:18','2011-03-26 22:35:18','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4796,1,'2011-03-26 15:43:23','2011-03-26 22:43:23','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4795\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Recently, I have been invited to children\'s birthday parties.  I suspect this is because I\'m a big kid myself.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of weeks ago, I was jumping my way through a bouncy castle at Laney\'s 7 year-old boy\'s birthday fiesta.  Video footage of this nonsense can be found <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/14/day-167-tiggers-are-not-the-only-one-who-are-bouncy-flouncy-trouncy-pouncy/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis Friday night, it was Christy Jo\'s 7 year-old girl\'s turn.  I BEGGED (and I do mean BEGGED) Christy Jo to allow me to play Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo explained that these girls are too young.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn\'t see how this was going to be a Slumber Party without Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board or Bloody Mary, but I also didn\'t want to be responsible for traumatizing the birthday girl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe found other ways to have age-appropriate girlie fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSlumber Parties Rule!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4788\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4789\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo\'s specialty:  Blue Tiger Stripes.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4790\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4791\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy speciality:  Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.  An aesthetician, I am not.  Oops!  I forgot a toenail!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4792\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo read somewhere that it\'s not sugar that makes children hyper, it\'s the activities that they engage in while eating sugar.  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4793\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250009.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4794\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nThere\'s no better way to burn off the sugar high than jumping on','Day 180:  I Crashed a Slumber Party','','inherit','open','open','','4787-revision','','','2011-03-26 15:43:23','2011-03-26 22:43:23','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4787-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4797,1,'2011-03-26 15:49:51','2011-03-26 22:49:51','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4795\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Recently, I have been invited to children\'s birthday parties.  I suspect this is because I\'m a big kid myself.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of weeks ago, I was jumping my way through a bouncy castle at Laney\'s 7 year-old boy\'s birthday fiesta.  Video footage of this nonsense can be found <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/14/day-167-tiggers-are-not-the-only-one-who-are-bouncy-flouncy-trouncy-pouncy/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis Friday night, it was Christy Jo\'s 7 year-old girl\'s turn.  I BEGGED (and I do mean BEGGED) Christy Jo to allow me to play Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo explained that these girls are too young.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn\'t see how this was going to be a Slumber Party without Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board or Bloody Mary, but I also didn\'t want to be responsible for traumatizing the birthday girl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe found other ways to have age-appropriate girlie fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSlumber Parties Rule!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4788\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4789\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo\'s specialty:  Blue Tiger Stripes.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4790\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4791\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy speciality:  Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.  An aesthetician, I am not.  Oops!  I forgot a toenail!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4792\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo read somewhere that it\'s not sugar that makes children hyper, it\'s the activities that they engage in while eating sugar.  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4793\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250009.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4794\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere\'s no better way to burn off the sugar high than jumping on the furniture!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI left these little darlings at 10:45.  I wasn\'t planning on staying that late, but I was sucked into Enchanted.  I adore that movie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo was under the impression that these girl are still young enough to crash and sleep.  He he he.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReport from Christy Jo on Saturday:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"They slept all night til almost 7 a.m.!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow.  You lucked out, girlfriend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnother message from Christy Jo:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"We found another missed toe.  Same toe, other foot!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGood thing I never went to beauty school.','Day 180:  I Crashed a Slumber Party','','inherit','open','open','','4787-revision-2','','','2011-03-26 15:49:51','2011-03-26 22:49:51','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4787-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4798,1,'2011-03-26 15:53:10','2011-03-26 22:53:10','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4795\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Recently, I have been invited to children\'s birthday parties.  I suspect this is because I\'m a big kid myself.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of weeks ago, I was jumping my way through a bouncy castle at Laney\'s 7 year-old boy\'s birthday fiesta.  Video footage of this nonsense can be found <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/14/day-167-tiggers-are-not-the-only-one-who-are-bouncy-flouncy-trouncy-pouncy/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis Friday night, it was Christy Jo\'s 7 year-old girl\'s turn.  I BEGGED (and I do mean BEGGED) Christy Jo to allow me to play Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo explained that these girls are too young.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn\'t see how this was going to be a Slumber Party without Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board or Bloody Mary, but I also didn\'t want to be responsible for traumatizing the birthday girl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe found other ways to have age-appropriate girlie fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Slumber Parties Rule!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4788\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4789\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo\'s specialty:  Blue Tiger Stripes.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4790\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4791\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy speciality:  Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.  An aesthetician, I am not.  Oops!  I forgot a toenail!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4792\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo read somewhere that it\'s not sugar that makes children hyper, it\'s the activities that they engage in while eating sugar.  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4793\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250009.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4794\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250009-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI left these little darlings at 10:45.  I wasn\'t planning on staying that late, but I was sucked into <em>Enchanted</em>.  I adore that movie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Christy Jo was under the impression that these girl are still young enough to crash and sleep.  He he he.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReport from Christy Jo on Saturday:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"They slept all night til almost 7 a.m.!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow.  You lucked out, girlfriend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnother message from Christy Jo:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"We found another missed toe.  Same toe, other foot!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGood thing I never went to beauty school.','Day 180:  I Crashed a Slumber Party','','inherit','open','open','','4787-revision-3','','','2011-03-26 15:53:10','2011-03-26 22:53:10','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4787-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4799,1,'2011-03-26 15:55:28','2011-03-26 22:55:28','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-282','','','2011-03-26 15:55:28','2011-03-26 22:55:28','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P32500091.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4800,1,'2011-03-26 15:56:33','2011-03-26 22:56:33','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4795\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Recently, I have been invited to children\'s birthday parties.  I suspect this is because I\'m a big kid myself.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of weeks ago, I was jumping my way through a bouncy castle at Laney\'s 7 year-old boy\'s birthday fiesta.  Video footage of this nonsense can be found <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/14/day-167-tiggers-are-not-the-only-one-who-are-bouncy-flouncy-trouncy-pouncy/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis Friday night, it was Christy Jo\'s 7 year-old girl\'s turn.  I BEGGED (and I do mean BEGGED) Christy Jo to allow me to play Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo explained that these girls are too young.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn\'t see how this was going to be a Slumber Party without Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board or Bloody Mary, but I also didn\'t want to be responsible for traumatizing the birthday girl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe found other ways to have age-appropriate girlie fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Slumber Parties Rule!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4788\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4789\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo\'s specialty:  Blue Tiger Stripes.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4790\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4791\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy speciality:  Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.  An aesthetician, I am not.  Oops!  I forgot a toenail!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4792\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo read somewhere that it\'s not sugar that makes children hyper, it\'s the activities that they engage in while eating sugar.  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4793\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P32500091.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4799\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P32500091-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI left these little darlings at 10:45.  I wasn\'t planning on staying that late, but I was sucked into <em>Enchanted</em>.  I adore that movie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Christy Jo was under the impression that these girl are still young enough to crash and sleep.  He he he.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReport from Christy Jo on Saturday:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"They slept all night til almost 7 a.m.!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow.  You lucked out, girlfriend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnother message from Christy Jo:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"We found another missed toe.  Same toe, other foot!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGood thing I never went to beauty school.\n\n&nbsp;','Day 180:  I Crashed a Slumber Party','','inherit','open','open','','4787-revision-4','','','2011-03-26 15:56:33','2011-03-26 22:56:33','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4787-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4801,1,'2011-03-26 15:57:43','2011-03-26 22:57:43','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4795\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250011-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Recently, I have been invited to children\'s birthday parties.  I suspect this is because I\'m a big kid myself.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of weeks ago, I was jumping my way through a bouncy castle at Laney\'s 7 year-old boy\'s birthday fiesta.  Video footage of this nonsense can be found <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/14/day-167-tiggers-are-not-the-only-one-who-are-bouncy-flouncy-trouncy-pouncy/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis Friday night, it was Christy Jo\'s 7 year-old girl\'s turn.  I BEGGED (and I do mean BEGGED) Christy Jo to allow me to play Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo explained that these girls are too young.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn\'t see how this was going to be a Slumber Party without Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board or Bloody Mary, but I also didn\'t want to be responsible for traumatizing the birthday girl.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe found other ways to have age-appropriate girlie fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Slumber Parties Rule!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4788\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4789\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250001-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo\'s specialty:  Blue Tiger Stripes.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4790\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250004-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4791\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy speciality:  Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.  An aesthetician, I am not.  Oops!  I forgot a toenail!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4792\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo read somewhere that it\'s not sugar that makes children hyper, it\'s the activities that they engage in while eating sugar.  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4793\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3250006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P32500091.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4799\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P32500091-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI left these little darlings at 10:45.  I wasn\'t planning on staying that late, but I was sucked into <em>Enchanted</em>.  I adore that movie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Christy Jo was under the impression that these girl are still young enough to crash and sleep.  He he he.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nReport from Christy Jo on Saturday:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"They slept all night til almost 7 a.m.!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow.  You lucked out, girlfriend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnother message from Christy Jo:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"We found another missed toe.  Same toe, other foot!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGood thing I never went to beauty school.\n\n&nbsp;','Day 180:  I Crashed a Slumber Party','','inherit','open','open','','4787-autosave','','','2011-03-26 15:57:43','2011-03-26 22:57:43','',4787,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4787-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4802,1,'2011-03-28 01:11:31','2011-03-28 08:11:31','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4809\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point.  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4811\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember how or why), and bananas.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4812\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeaven.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerfect.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n****************************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I almost forgot.  The newborn goats.  They were behind the goat cheese booth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4813\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you have a Farmer\'s Market in your fair city?  IS THERE A CREPE TRUCK?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBaby goats?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease share your favorite Farmer\'s Market tidbit in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market','','publish','open','open','','day-181-friends-food-and-goats-huh-at-the-farmers-market','','','2011-03-27 09:24:53','2011-03-27 16:24:53','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=4802',0,'post','',7),(4803,1,'2011-03-26 16:00:47','2011-03-26 23:00:47','','Day 181:  Farmer\'s Market ','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision','','','2011-03-26 16:00:47','2011-03-26 23:00:47','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4802-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4804,1,'2011-03-26 20:11:16','2011-03-27 03:11:16','','Day 181:  Farmer\'s Market ','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-2','','','2011-03-26 20:11:16','2011-03-27 03:11:16','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4802-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4805,1,'2011-03-26 20:11:56','2011-03-27 03:11:56','','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market ','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-3','','','2011-03-26 20:11:56','2011-03-27 03:11:56','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4802-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4806,1,'2011-03-26 20:21:12','2011-03-27 03:21:12','Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point and come HUNGRY!  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember why), and bananas.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHeaven.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerfect.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market ','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-4','','','2011-03-26 20:21:12','2011-03-27 03:21:12','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4802-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4807,1,'2011-03-26 20:22:28','2011-03-27 03:22:28','Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point and come HUNGRY!  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember why), and bananas.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHeaven.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerfect.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market ','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-5','','','2011-03-26 20:22:28','2011-03-27 03:22:28','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4802-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4808,1,'2011-03-26 20:23:31','2011-03-27 03:23:31','Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point.  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember how or why), and bananas.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeaven.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerfect.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market ','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-6','','','2011-03-26 20:23:31','2011-03-27 03:23:31','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/26/4802-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4809,1,'2011-03-27 09:00:36','2011-03-27 16:00:36','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-283','','','2011-03-27 09:00:36','2011-03-27 16:00:36','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4810,1,'2011-03-27 08:59:10','2011-03-27 15:59:10','Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point.  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember how or why), and bananas.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeaven.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerfect.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-7','','','2011-03-27 08:59:10','2011-03-27 15:59:10','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/4802-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4811,1,'2011-03-27 09:09:37','2011-03-27 16:09:37','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-284','','','2011-03-27 09:09:37','2011-03-27 16:09:37','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4812,1,'2011-03-27 09:17:23','2011-03-27 16:17:23','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-285','','','2011-03-27 09:17:23','2011-03-27 16:17:23','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4813,1,'2011-03-27 09:19:12','2011-03-27 16:19:12','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-286','','','2011-03-27 09:19:12','2011-03-27 16:19:12','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4814,1,'2011-03-27 09:21:25','2011-03-27 16:21:25','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4809\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point.  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4811\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember how or why), and bananas.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4812\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHeaven.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerfect.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n****************************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yeah.  I almost forgot.  The newborn goats.  They were behind the goat cheese booth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4813\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you have a Farmer\'s Market in your fair city?  IS THERE A CREPE TRUCK?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoats?  :-)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlease share your favorite Farmer\'s Market tidbit in the comments.','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-8','','','2011-03-27 09:21:25','2011-03-27 16:21:25','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/4802-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4815,1,'2011-03-27 09:22:33','2011-03-27 16:22:33','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4809\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point.  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4811\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember how or why), and bananas.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4812\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHeaven.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerfect.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n****************************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yeah.  I almost forgot.  The newborn goats.  They were behind the goat cheese booth.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4813\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you have a Farmer\'s Market in your fair city?  IS THERE A CREPE TRUCK?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoats?  :-)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlease share your favorite Farmer\'s Market tidbit in the comments.','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market','','inherit','open','open','','4802-autosave','','','2011-03-27 09:22:33','2011-03-27 16:22:33','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/4802-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4816,1,'2011-03-27 09:21:28','2011-03-27 16:21:28','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4809\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point.  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4811\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember how or why), and bananas.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4812\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeaven.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerfect.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n****************************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I almost forgot.  The newborn goats.  They were behind the goat cheese booth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4813\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you have a Farmer\'s Market in your fair city?  IS THERE A CREPE TRUCK?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoats?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease share your favorite Farmer\'s Market tidbit in the comments.','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-9','','','2011-03-27 09:21:28','2011-03-27 16:21:28','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/4802-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(4817,1,'2011-03-27 09:23:13','2011-03-27 16:23:13','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4809\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point.  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4811\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember how or why), and bananas.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4812\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeaven.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerfect.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n****************************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I almost forgot.  The newborn goats.  They were behind the goat cheese booth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4813\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you have a Farmer\'s Market in your fair city?  IS THERE A CREPE TRUCK?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoats?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease share your favorite Farmer\'s Market tidbit in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-10','','','2011-03-27 09:23:13','2011-03-27 16:23:13','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/4802-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(4818,1,'2011-03-27 09:23:54','2011-03-27 16:23:54','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4809\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260012-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sarah recently brought to my attention a Farmer\'s Market that is the epitome of a Perfect Saturday Morning.  Dogs welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLittle Miss B and I headed out in Perfect Saturday Morning weather of high 60s and sunshine to meet Sarah, her daughter, and her friend (and my new friend), Sharon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere were so many food booths with samples that I realized that I must come back alone at some point.  Attending an overly crowded Farmer\'s Market with pooch in tow is sort of like taking your toddler out to a restaurant.  You\'re not going to eat much because you\'re too busy attending to your child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I say crowded, I mean CROWDED.  Bella would have been stepped on fo sho had I not carried her 3/4 of the time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSharon came to my rescue and held Little Miss B so Sarah and I could dig into our crepes from the Crepe Truck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4811\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260015-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had never seen a Crepe Truck before, and I am delighted that they exist.  Between the sweet and savory options, I opted for the sweet (duh!) with nutella, walnuts (that were somehow \"special\" but for the life of me, I can\'t remember how or why), and bananas.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4812\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeaven.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerfect.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n****************************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  I almost forgot.  The newborn goats.  They were behind the goat cheese booth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4813\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3260014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you have a Farmer\'s Market in your fair city?  IS THERE A CREPE TRUCK?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoats?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease share your favorite Farmer\'s Market tidbit in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 181:  Friends, Food and Goats (Huh?) at the Farmer\'s Market','','inherit','open','open','','4802-revision-11','','','2011-03-27 09:23:54','2011-03-27 16:23:54','',4802,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/27/4802-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(4819,1,'2011-03-29 01:11:17','2011-03-29 08:11:17','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skypelove/629044148/sizes/z/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4827\" title=\"629044148_c898e8dcf8_z\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/629044148_c898e8dcf8_z-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"187\" height=\"300\" /></a>Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt started out with a Book Club.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut this Book Club was formed by <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?s=coronado+home+tour\" target=\"_blank\">Corinniecakes and Britt</a></strong>, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to join March\'s <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> discussion.  I dug around and unearthed my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI read <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I have to be honest.  I found the whole thing a bit silly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter one night of giving another reading of <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> a college try, I set it aside for\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Drink-Play-Anything-Ireland-Thailand/dp/0802170528\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4828\" title=\"41yPs15XGfL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/41yPs15XGfL._BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you haven\'t figured it out yet, this book is the male spoof of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  And SURPRISING!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI must admit that I had buyer\'s remorse immediately after purchasing.  How could I possibly enjoy some schmuck poking fun at one of my favorite books?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell...It turns out that the protagonist is a downright likeable schmuck.  With a conscience even!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it\'s actually well-written!  Go figure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I see it, this was an all-around win for me.  I read what I wanted to when I wanted to read it, AND I brushed up on <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> and prepared for the Book Club by watching <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/20/day-173-wet-shirt-scene-finally/\" target=\"_blank\">Colin Firth in a wet white shirt</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is my kind of Book Club.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 182:  Austen vs. Gottlieb  ','','publish','open','open','','day-182-austen-vs-gottlieb','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/20/day-173-wet-shirt-scene-finally/','2011-03-29 09:29:45','2011-03-29 16:29:45','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=4819',0,'post','',4),(4820,1,'2011-03-28 12:32:57','2011-03-28 19:32:57','Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.','Day 182:  From Austen to Bach to Mr. Tall Drink of Water ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision','','','2011-03-28 12:32:57','2011-03-28 19:32:57','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4821,1,'2011-03-28 19:40:54','2011-03-29 02:40:54','Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt started out with a Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut this Book Club was formed by Corinniecakes and Britt, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to join March\'s Pride &amp; Prejudice discussion.  I found my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read Pride and Prejudice back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I found it a bit silly.  After one night of giving it a college try, I set it aside for Drink, Play,','Day 182:  From Austen to Bach to Mr. Tall Drink of Water ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-2','','','2011-03-28 19:40:54','2011-03-29 02:40:54','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4822,1,'2011-03-28 19:40:57','2011-03-29 02:40:57','Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt started out with a Book Club.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut this Book Club was formed by Corinniecakes and Britt, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to join March\'s Pride &amp; Prejudice discussion.  I found my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI read Pride and Prejudice back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I found it a bit silly.  After one night of giving it a college try, I set it aside for Drink, Play,','Day 182:  From Austen to Bach to Mr. Tall Drink of Water ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-3','','','2011-03-28 19:40:57','2011-03-29 02:40:57','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4823,1,'2011-03-28 19:44:16','2011-03-29 02:44:16','Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt started out with a Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut this Book Club was formed by Corinniecakes and Britt, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to join March\'s Pride &amp; Prejudice discussion.  I found my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read Pride and Prejudice back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I found the whole thing a bit silly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter one night of giving another reading of Pride &amp; Prejudice a college try, I set it aside for Drink, Play, F@#k:  One Man\'s Search for Anything Across Ireland, Vegas, and Thailand by Andrew Gottlieb.  This, of course, is the male spoof of Eat, Pray, Love.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, THIS','Day 182:  From Austen to Bach to Mr. Tall Drink of Water ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-4','','','2011-03-28 19:44:16','2011-03-29 02:44:16','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4824,1,'2011-03-28 19:44:53','2011-03-29 02:44:53','Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt started out with a Book Club.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut this Book Club was formed by Corinniecakes and Britt, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to join March\'s Pride &amp; Prejudice discussion.  I found my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI read Pride and Prejudice back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I found the whole thing a bit silly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter one night of giving another reading of Pride &amp; Prejudice a college try, I set it aside for Drink, Play, F@#k:  One Man\'s Search for Anything Across Ireland, Vegas, and Thailand by Andrew Gottlieb.  This, of course, is the male spoof of Eat, Pray, Love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  I expected that  may not be able to stomach','Day 182:  From Austen to Bach to Mr. Tall Drink of Water ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-5','','','2011-03-28 19:44:53','2011-03-29 02:44:53','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4825,1,'2011-03-28 20:29:51','2011-03-29 03:29:51','Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt started out with a Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut this Book Club was formed by Corinniecakes and Britt, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to join March\'s Pride &amp; Prejudice discussion.  I found my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read Pride and Prejudice back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I found the whole thing a bit silly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter one night of giving another reading of Pride &amp; Prejudice a college try, I set it aside for Drink, Play, F@#k:  One Man\'s Search for Anything Across Ireland, Vegas, and Thailand by Andrew Gottlieb.  If you haven\'t figured it out yet, this book is the male spoof of Eat, Pray, Love.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  And SURPRISING!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had buyer\'s remorse immediately after purchasing.  How could I possibly enjoy reading some schmuck poking fun at one of my favorite books?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt turns out that the protagonist is a downright likable schmuck.  And it\'s actually well-written!  Go figure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I see it, this was an all around win for me.  I brushed up on Pride &amp; Prejudice and prepared for the Book Club by watching Colin Firth in a wet white shirt.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 182:  From Austen to Bach to Mr. Tall Drink of Water ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-6','','','2011-03-28 20:29:51','2011-03-29 03:29:51','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4826,1,'2011-03-28 20:38:44','2011-03-29 03:38:44','Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt started out with a Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut this Book Club was formed by Corinniecakes and Britt, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to join March\'s <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> discussion.  I found my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I found the whole thing a bit silly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter one night of giving another reading of <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> a college try, I set it aside for <em>Drink, Play, F@#k:  One Man\'s Search for Anything Across Ireland, Vegas, and Thailand</em> by Andrew Gottlieb.  If you haven\'t figured it out yet, this book is the male spoof of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  And SURPRISING!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI must admit that I had buyer\'s remorse immediately after purchasing.  How could I possibly enjoy reading some schmuck poking fun at one of my favorite books?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt turns out that the protagonist is a downright likeable schmuck.  And it\'s actually well-written!  Go figure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I see it, this was an all-around win for me.  I read what I wanted to when I wanted to read it, AND I brushed up on <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> and prepared for the Book Club by watching Colin Firth in a wet white shirt.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 182:  Austen Vs. Gottleib  ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-7','','','2011-03-28 20:38:44','2011-03-29 03:38:44','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4827,1,'2011-03-28 20:42:42','2011-03-29 03:42:42','','629044148_c898e8dcf8_z','','inherit','open','open','','629044148_c898e8dcf8_z','','','2011-03-28 20:42:42','2011-03-29 03:42:42','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/629044148_c898e8dcf8_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4828,1,'2011-03-28 20:44:53','2011-03-29 03:44:53','','41yPs15XGfL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_','','inherit','open','open','','41yps15xgfl-_bo2204203200_pisitb-sticker-arrow-clicktopright35-76_aa300_sh20_ou01_','','','2011-03-28 20:44:53','2011-03-29 03:44:53','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/41yPs15XGfL._BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4829,1,'2011-03-28 20:46:00','2011-03-29 03:46:00','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skypelove/629044148/sizes/z/\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4827\" title=\"629044148_c898e8dcf8_z\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/629044148_c898e8dcf8_z-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"187\" height=\"300\" /></a>Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt started out with a Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut this Book Club was formed by Corinniecakes and Britt, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to join March\'s <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> discussion.  I found my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I found the whole thing a bit silly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter one night of giving another reading of <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> a college try, I set it aside for\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<em><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Drink-Play-Anything-Ireland-Thailand/dp/0802170528\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4828\" title=\"41yPs15XGfL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/41yPs15XGfL._BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a></em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you haven\'t figured it out yet, this book is the male spoof of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  And SURPRISING!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI must admit that I had buyer\'s remorse immediately after purchasing.  How could I possibly enjoy reading some schmuck poking fun at one of my favorite books?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt turns out that the protagonist is a downright likeable schmuck.  And it\'s actually well-written!  Go figure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I see it, this was an all-around win for me.  I read what I wanted to when I wanted to read it, AND I brushed up on <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> and prepared for the Book Club by watching Colin Firth in a wet white shirt.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 182:  Austen vs. Gottlieb  ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-8','','','2011-03-28 20:46:00','2011-03-29 03:46:00','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4830,1,'2011-03-28 20:52:10','2011-03-29 03:52:10','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skypelove/629044148/sizes/z/\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4827\" title=\"629044148_c898e8dcf8_z\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/629044148_c898e8dcf8_z-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"187\" height=\"300\" /></a>Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt started out with a Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut this Book Club was formed by <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?s=coronado+home+tour\" target=\"_blank\">Corinniecakes and Britt</a></strong>, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to join March\'s <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> discussion.  I dug around and unearthed my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I have to be honest.  I found the whole thing a bit silly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter one night of giving another reading of <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> a college try, I set it aside for\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<em><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Drink-Play-Anything-Ireland-Thailand/dp/0802170528\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4828\" title=\"41yPs15XGfL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/41yPs15XGfL._BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a></em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you haven\'t figured it out yet, this book is the male spoof of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  And SURPRISING!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI must admit that I had buyer\'s remorse immediately after purchasing.  How could I possibly enjoy some schmuck poking fun at one of my favorite books?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell...It turns out that the protagonist is a downright likeable schmuck.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd it\'s actually well-written!  Go figure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I see it, this was an all-around win for me.  I read what I wanted to when I wanted to read it, AND I brushed up on <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> and prepared for the Book Club by watching <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/20/day-173-wet-shirt-scene-finally/\" target=\"_blank\">Colin Firth in a wet white shirt</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 182:  Austen vs. Gottlieb  ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-9','','','2011-03-28 20:52:10','2011-03-29 03:52:10','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(4831,1,'2011-03-28 20:54:04','2011-03-29 03:54:04','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skypelove/629044148/sizes/z/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4827\" title=\"629044148_c898e8dcf8_z\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/629044148_c898e8dcf8_z-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"187\" height=\"300\" /></a>Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt started out with a Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut this Book Club was formed by <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?s=coronado+home+tour\" target=\"_blank\">Corinniecakes and Britt</a></strong>, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to join March\'s <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> discussion.  I dug around and unearthed my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I have to be honest.  I found the whole thing a bit silly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter one night of giving another reading of <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> a college try, I set it aside for\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<em><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Drink-Play-Anything-Ireland-Thailand/dp/0802170528\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4828\" title=\"41yPs15XGfL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/41yPs15XGfL._BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a></em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you haven\'t figured it out yet, this book is the male spoof of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  And SURPRISING!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI must admit that I had buyer\'s remorse immediately after purchasing.  How could I possibly enjoy some schmuck poking fun at one of my favorite books?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell...It turns out that the protagonist is a downright likeable schmuck.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd it\'s actually well-written!  Go figure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I see it, this was an all-around win for me.  I read what I wanted to when I wanted to read it, AND I brushed up on <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> and prepared for the Book Club by watching <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/20/day-173-wet-shirt-scene-finally/\" target=\"_blank\">Colin Firth in a wet white shirt</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 182:  Austen vs. Gottlieb  ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-10','','','2011-03-28 20:54:04','2011-03-29 03:54:04','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(4832,1,'2011-03-28 20:56:20','2011-03-29 03:56:20','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skypelove/629044148/sizes/z/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4827\" title=\"629044148_c898e8dcf8_z\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/629044148_c898e8dcf8_z-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"187\" height=\"300\" /></a>Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt started out with a Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut this Book Club was formed by <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?s=coronado+home+tour\" target=\"_blank\">Corinniecakes and Britt</a></strong>, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to join March\'s <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> discussion.  I dug around and unearthed my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I have to be honest.  I found the whole thing a bit silly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter one night of giving another reading of <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> a college try, I set it aside for\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<em><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Drink-Play-Anything-Ireland-Thailand/dp/0802170528\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4828\" title=\"41yPs15XGfL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/41yPs15XGfL._BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a></em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you haven\'t figured it out yet, this book is the male spoof of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  And SURPRISING!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI must admit that I had buyer\'s remorse immediately after purchasing.  How could I possibly enjoy some schmuck poking fun at one of my favorite books?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell...It turns out that the protagonist is a downright likeable schmuck.  With a conscious even!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd it\'s actually well-written!  Go figure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I see it, this was an all-around win for me.  I read what I wanted to when I wanted to read it, AND I brushed up on <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> and prepared for the Book Club by watching <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/20/day-173-wet-shirt-scene-finally/\" target=\"_blank\">Colin Firth in a wet white shirt</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 182:  Austen vs. Gottlieb  ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-11','','','2011-03-28 20:56:20','2011-03-29 03:56:20','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(4833,1,'2011-03-28 20:58:56','2011-03-29 03:58:56','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skypelove/629044148/sizes/z/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4827\" title=\"629044148_c898e8dcf8_z\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/629044148_c898e8dcf8_z-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"187\" height=\"300\" /></a>Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt started out with a Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut this Book Club was formed by <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?s=coronado+home+tour\" target=\"_blank\">Corinniecakes and Britt</a></strong>, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI agreed to join March\'s <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> discussion.  I dug around and unearthed my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI read <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I have to be honest.  I found the whole thing a bit silly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter one night of giving another reading of <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> a college try, I set it aside for\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<em><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Drink-Play-Anything-Ireland-Thailand/dp/0802170528\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4828\" title=\"41yPs15XGfL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/41yPs15XGfL._BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a></em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you haven\'t figured it out yet, this book is the male spoof of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  And SURPRISING!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI must admit that I had buyer\'s remorse immediately after purchasing.  How could I possibly enjoy some schmuck poking fun at one of my favorite books?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell...It turns out that the protagonist is a downright likeable schmuck.  With a conscious even!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd it\'s actually well-written!  Go figure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs I see it, this was an all-around win for me.  I read what I wanted to when I wanted to read it, AND I brushed up on <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> and prepared for the Book Club by watching <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/20/day-173-wet-shirt-scene-finally/\" target=\"_blank\">Colin Firth in a wet white shirt</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is my kind of Book Club.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 182:  Austen vs. Gottlieb  ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-autosave','','','2011-03-28 20:58:56','2011-03-29 03:58:56','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4834,1,'2011-03-28 20:57:52','2011-03-29 03:57:52','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skypelove/629044148/sizes/z/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4827\" title=\"629044148_c898e8dcf8_z\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/629044148_c898e8dcf8_z-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"187\" height=\"300\" /></a>Yes, Day 182 was all over the place.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt started out with a Book Club.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not a fan of Book Clubs.  Mainly because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut this Book Club was formed by <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?s=coronado+home+tour\" target=\"_blank\">Corinniecakes and Britt</a></strong>, so how could I say no?  They decided that this year we would tackle the classics!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSelling point for me:  We could commit to only the months where the books piqued our interest.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI agreed to join March\'s <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> discussion.  I dug around and unearthed my old copy, brown pages and all.  Yikes!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI read <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> back in high school and college.  I absolutely adored Jane Austen then.  This time around, as a 41-year old woman, I have to be honest.  I found the whole thing a bit silly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter one night of giving another reading of <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> a college try, I set it aside for\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Drink-Play-Anything-Ireland-Thailand/dp/0802170528\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4828\" title=\"41yPs15XGfL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/41yPs15XGfL._BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you haven\'t figured it out yet, this book is the male spoof of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow, THIS is the book that I would like to discuss with friends at the moment.  HILARIOUS!  And SURPRISING!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI must admit that I had buyer\'s remorse immediately after purchasing.  How could I possibly enjoy some schmuck poking fun at one of my favorite books?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell...It turns out that the protagonist is a downright likeable schmuck.  With a conscious even!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it\'s actually well-written!  Go figure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs I see it, this was an all-around win for me.  I read what I wanted to when I wanted to read it, AND I brushed up on <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em> and prepared for the Book Club by watching <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/20/day-173-wet-shirt-scene-finally/\" target=\"_blank\">Colin Firth in a wet white shirt</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is my kind of Book Club.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 182:  Austen vs. Gottlieb  ','','inherit','open','open','','4819-revision-12','','','2011-03-28 20:57:52','2011-03-29 03:57:52','',4819,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/28/4819-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(4837,1,'2011-03-30 16:22:21','2011-03-30 23:22:21','','Day 183:  We\'re at the Half Way Mark!','','inherit','open','open','','4835-revision-2','','','2011-03-30 16:22:21','2011-03-30 23:22:21','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4835-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4838,1,'2011-03-31 12:30:06','2011-03-31 19:30:06','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me root, root, root for the Diamondbacks (stuff it, Cubbies fans!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf they don\'t win it\'s a shame\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor it\'s one, two, three strikes you\'re out\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the old Spring Training game!','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','publish','open','open','','day-184-take-me-out-to-the-spring-training-game','','','2011-03-31 10:46:58','2011-03-31 17:46:58','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=4838',0,'post','',2),(4839,1,'2011-03-30 16:25:15','2011-03-30 23:25:15','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision','','','2011-03-30 16:25:15','2011-03-30 23:25:15','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4838-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4840,1,'2011-03-30 16:25:32','2011-03-30 23:25:32','','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-2','','','2011-03-30 16:25:32','2011-03-30 23:25:32','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4838-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5145,1,'2011-04-14 20:23:31','2011-04-15 03:23:31','','5355588988_5015b3408e','','inherit','open','open','','5355588988_5015b3408e','','','2011-04-14 20:23:31','2011-04-15 03:23:31','',5144,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/5355588988_5015b3408e.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4842,1,'2011-03-30 20:23:47','2011-03-31 03:23:47','This blog is a 365 project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd we\'re at Day 183 which means...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m half way through the Year of Living Curiously!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 183, I reflected on the journey thus far.  I\'m no Virginia Slims, but I\'ve come a long way, baby.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure that I realized just how intense this project was going to be when I launched on Day 1.  \"Living\" a soul-scintillating mini-adventure each day AND writing about it (AND facebooking about it, AND tweeting about it, AND commenting about it) is an enormous task.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there\'s that career that I manage for 40 hours a week.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd let\'s not forget World\'s Most Precious Pooch whom I must feed, and water, and play with, and train, and exercise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember that Little Miss B was nowhere in sight on Day 1?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow life can change in 6 months!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, there have been BIG changes in my life since Day 1.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat\'s most interesting to me is how all of the mini-adventures are adding up to one monumental Life Experience.  It\'s quite a ride!  I am here to attest that it\'s truly the \"little things\" that make life interesting and curious and a big bowl of cherries with whipped cream on top.  (Freshly whipped, of course.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I embarked on this journey, I created a List of Ideas in a sentimental journal that I purchased when on vacation with my Sissie and her family in Crested Butte, Colorado.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNote to self:  When you\'re living the whirlwind that is this project, you don\'t have time to review the list.  Somehow, things and ideas magically come up and you schedule them a week at a time in your old-school Franklin-Covey planner.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 183, I sat my tuckus on my sofa and perused the list.  I was about to share my favorite future ideas with you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I changed my mind.  You already know a few BIG adventures on the horizon:  California Dreaming (I may never come home) AND World Domination Summit (I may never come home) AND The Grandmommy of Them ALL (I<em> really </em>may never come home).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have 182 days of curious living ahead of me, peeps.  What are YOUR ideas for me?  I already have the BIG ideas.  (Although I always welcome more.)  But let\'s remember that unless I win the lottery, I have real life responsibilities just like you.  The challenge is to inject a bit of sunshine into everyday life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSooooo...Whatchya got?  Please share in the comment section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd THANK YOU for being a part of my world.  One of the BIGGEST rewards from this project is all of the new friends that have blessed my life by taking the time to read and support my endeavors.  I appreciate YOU!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 183:  We\'re at the Half Way Mark!','','inherit','open','open','','4835-revision-3','','','2011-03-30 20:23:47','2011-03-31 03:23:47','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4835-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4843,1,'2011-03-30 20:37:18','2011-03-31 03:37:18','This blog is a 365 project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd we\'re at Day 183 which means...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I\'m half way through the Year of Living Curiously!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 183, I reflected on the journey thus far.  I\'m no Virginia Slims, but I\'ve come a long way, baby.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure that I realized just how intense this project was going to be <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/\" target=\"_blank\">when I launched on Day 1</a></strong>.  \"Living\" a soul-scintillating mini-adventure each day AND writing about it (AND facebooking about it, AND tweeting about it, AND commenting about it) is an enormous task.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there\'s that career that I manage for 40 hours a week.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd let\'s not forget World\'s Most Precious Pooch whom I must feed, and water, and play with, and train, and exercise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember that Little Miss B was nowhere in sight on Day 1?  I never dreamed that I would bring a dog into my world during the busiest year of my life.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">Little Miss B had other plans for me on Day 43.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow life can change in 6 months!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, there have been BIG changes in my life since Day 1.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What\'s most interesting to me is how all of the mini-adventures are adding up to one monumental Life Experience.</strong></span> It\'s quite a ride!  I am here to attest that it\'s truly the \"little things\" that make life interesting and curious and a big bowl of cherries with whipped cream on top.  (Freshly whipped, of course.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I embarked on this journey, I created a List of Ideas in a sentimental journal that I purchased when on vacation with my Sissie and her family in Crested Butte, Colorado.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Note to self: </strong>When you\'re living the whirlwind that is this project, you don\'t have time to review the list.  Somehow, things and ideas magically come up, and you schedule them a week at a time in your old-school Franklin-Covey planner.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 183, I sat my tuckus on my sofa and perused the list.  I was about to share my favorite future ideas with you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I changed my mind.  You already know a few BIG adventures on the horizon:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/08/day-132-reconnecting-the-old-fashioned-way-over-the-phone-not-on-facebook/\" target=\"_blank\">California Dreaming</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/15/day-78-are-you-an-artist-of-non-conformity/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/21/day-144-i-planned-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime/\" target=\"_blank\">The Grandmommy of Them ALL</a></strong> (I<em> really </em>may never come home).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have 182 Days of Curious Living ahead of me, peeps.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What are YOUR ideas for me?</strong></span> I already have the BIG ideas.  (Although I always welcome more.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>But let\'s remember that unless I win the lottery and I have nothing but time and money on my hands, I have real life responsibilities just like you.  The challenge is to inject a bit of sunshine into everyday life.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSooooo...Whatchya got?  Please share in the comment section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd THANK YOU for being a part of my world.  One of the BIGGEST rewards from this project is all of the new friends that have blessed my life by taking the time to read and support my endeavors.  I appreciate YOU!  *Hugs*\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 183:  We\'re at the Half Way Mark!','','inherit','open','open','','4835-revision-4','','','2011-03-30 20:37:18','2011-03-31 03:37:18','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4835-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4845,1,'2011-03-30 20:48:22','2011-03-31 03:48:22','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','My Book of Secrets','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-287','','','2011-03-30 20:48:22','2011-03-31 03:48:22','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4844,1,'2011-03-30 20:37:21','2011-03-31 03:37:21','This blog is a 365 project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd we\'re at Day 183 which means...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I\'m half way through the Year of Living Curiously!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I reflected on the journey thus far.  I\'m no Virginia Slims, but I\'ve come a long way, baby.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure that I realized just how intense this project was going to be <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/\" target=\"_blank\">when I launched on Day 1</a></strong>.  \"Living\" a soul-scintillating mini-adventure each day AND writing about it (AND facebooking about it, AND tweeting about it, AND commenting about it) is an enormous task.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s that career that I manage for 40 hours a week.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd let\'s not forget World\'s Most Precious Pooch whom I must feed, and water, and play with, and train, and exercise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember that Little Miss B was nowhere in sight on Day 1?  I never dreamed that I would bring a dog into my world during the busiest year of my life.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">Little Miss B had other plans for me on Day 43.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow life can change in 6 months!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, there have been BIG changes in my life since Day 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What\'s most interesting to me is how all of the mini-adventures are adding up to one monumental Life Experience.</strong></span> It\'s quite a ride!  I am here to attest that it\'s truly the \"little things\" that make life interesting and curious and a big bowl of cherries with whipped cream on top.  (Freshly whipped, of course.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I embarked on this journey, I created a List of Ideas in a sentimental journal that I purchased when on vacation with my Sissie and her family in Crested Butte, Colorado.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Note to self: </strong>When you\'re living the whirlwind that is this project, you don\'t have time to review the list.  Somehow, things and ideas magically come up, and you schedule them a week at a time in your old-school Franklin-Covey planner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I sat my tuckus on my sofa and perused the list.  I was about to share my favorite future ideas with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I changed my mind.  You already know a few BIG adventures on the horizon:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/08/day-132-reconnecting-the-old-fashioned-way-over-the-phone-not-on-facebook/\" target=\"_blank\">California Dreaming</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/15/day-78-are-you-an-artist-of-non-conformity/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/21/day-144-i-planned-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime/\" target=\"_blank\">The Grandmommy of Them ALL</a></strong> (I<em> really </em>may never come home).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have 182 Days of Curious Living ahead of me, peeps.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What are YOUR ideas for me?</strong></span> I already have the BIG ideas.  (Although I always welcome more.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>But let\'s remember that unless I win the lottery and I have nothing but time and money on my hands, I have real life responsibilities just like you.  The challenge is to inject a bit of sunshine into everyday life.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSooooo...Whatchya got?  Please share in the comment section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd THANK YOU for being a part of my world.  One of the BIGGEST rewards from this project is all of the new friends that have blessed my life by taking the time to read and support my endeavors.  I appreciate YOU!  *Hugs*\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 183:  We\'re at the Half Way Mark!','','inherit','open','open','','4835-revision-5','','','2011-03-30 20:37:21','2011-03-31 03:37:21','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4835-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4846,1,'2011-03-30 20:49:41','2011-03-31 03:49:41','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','Add your idea to my Book of Secrets (mysterious way of saying \"ideas\") in the comment section below.  Pretty please.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-288','','','2011-03-30 20:49:41','2011-03-31 03:49:41','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4847,1,'2011-03-30 20:50:52','2011-03-31 03:50:52','[caption id=\"attachment_4845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"My Book of Secrets\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4845\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThis blog is a 365 project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd we\'re at Day 183 which means...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I\'m half way through the Year of Living Curiously!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 183, I reflected on the journey thus far.  I\'m no Virginia Slims, but I\'ve come a long way, baby.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure that I realized just how intense this project was going to be <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/\" target=\"_blank\">when I launched on Day 1</a></strong>.  \"Living\" a soul-scintillating mini-adventure each day AND writing about it (AND facebooking about it, AND tweeting about it, AND commenting about it) is an enormous task.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there\'s that career that I manage for 40 hours a week.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd let\'s not forget World\'s Most Precious Pooch whom I must feed, and water, and play with, and train, and exercise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember that Little Miss B was nowhere in sight on Day 1?  I never dreamed that I would bring a dog into my world during the busiest year of my life.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">Little Miss B had other plans for me on Day 43.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow life can change in 6 months!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, there have been BIG changes in my life since Day 1.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What\'s most interesting to me is how all of the mini-adventures are adding up to one monumental Life Experience.</strong></span> It\'s quite a ride!  I am here to attest that it\'s truly the \"little things\" that make life interesting and curious and a big bowl of cherries with whipped cream on top.  (Freshly whipped, of course.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I embarked on this journey, I created a List of Ideas in a sentimental journal that I purchased when on vacation with my Sissie and her family in Crested Butte, Colorado.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Note to self: </strong>When you\'re living the whirlwind that is this project, you don\'t have time to review the list.  Somehow, things and ideas magically come up, and you schedule them a week at a time in your old-school Franklin-Covey planner.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 183, I sat my tuckus on my sofa and perused the list.  I was about to share my favorite future ideas with you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I changed my mind.  You already know a few BIG adventures on the horizon:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/08/day-132-reconnecting-the-old-fashioned-way-over-the-phone-not-on-facebook/\" target=\"_blank\">California Dreaming</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/15/day-78-are-you-an-artist-of-non-conformity/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/21/day-144-i-planned-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime/\" target=\"_blank\">The Grandmommy of Them ALL</a></strong> (I<em> really </em>may never come home).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have 182 Days of Curious Living ahead of me, peeps.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What are YOUR ideas for me?</strong></span> I already have the BIG ideas.  (Although I always welcome more.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>But let\'s remember that unless I win the lottery and I have nothing but time and money on my hands, I have real life responsibilities just like you.  The challenge is to inject a bit of sunshine into everyday life.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSooooo...Whatchya got?  Please share in the comment section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4846\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Add your idea to my Book of Secrets (mysterious way of saying &quot;ideas&quot;) in the comment section below.  Pretty please.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4846\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd THANK YOU for being a part of my world.  One of the BIGGEST rewards from this project is all of the new friends that have blessed my life by taking the time to read and support my endeavors.  I appreciate YOU!  *Hugs*\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 183:  We\'re at the Halfway Mark!','','inherit','open','open','','4835-revision-6','','','2011-03-30 20:50:52','2011-03-31 03:50:52','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4835-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4848,1,'2011-03-30 20:52:49','2011-03-31 03:52:49','[caption id=\"attachment_4845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"My Book of Secrets\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4845\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThis blog is a 365 project.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd we\'re at Day 183 which means...\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I\'m half way through the Year of Living Curiously!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWow.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 183, I reflected on the journey thus far.  I\'m no Virginia Slims, but I\'ve come a long way, baby.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure that I realized just how intense this project was going to be <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/\" target=\"_blank\">when I launched on Day 1</a></strong>.  \"Living\" a soul-scintillating mini-adventure each day AND writing about it (AND facebooking about it, AND tweeting about it, AND commenting about it) is an enormous task.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there\'s that career that I manage for 40 hours a week.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd let\'s not forget World\'s Most Precious Pooch whom I must feed, and water, and play with, and train, and exercise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember that Little Miss B was nowhere in sight on Day 1?  I never dreamed that I would bring a dog into my world during the busiest year of my life.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">Little Miss B had other plans for me on Day 43.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHow life can change in 6 months!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, there have been BIG changes in my life since Day 1.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What\'s most interesting to me is how all of the mini-adventures are adding up to one monumental Life Experience.</strong></span> It\'s quite a ride!  I am here to attest that it\'s truly the \"little things\" that make life interesting and curious and a big bowl of cherries with whipped cream on top.  (Freshly whipped, of course.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I embarked on this journey, I created a List of Ideas in a sentimental journal that I purchased when on vacation with my Sissie and her family in Crested Butte, Colorado.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Note to self: </strong>When you\'re living the whirlwind that is this project, you don\'t have time to review the list.  Somehow, things and ideas magically come up, and you schedule them a week at a time in your old-school Franklin-Covey planner.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 183, I sat my tuckus on my sofa and perused the list.  I was about to share my favorite future ideas with you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I changed my mind.  You already know a few BIG adventures on the horizon:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/08/day-132-reconnecting-the-old-fashioned-way-over-the-phone-not-on-facebook/\" target=\"_blank\">California Dreaming</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/15/day-78-are-you-an-artist-of-non-conformity/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/21/day-144-i-planned-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime/\" target=\"_blank\">The Grandmommy of Them ALL</a></strong> (I<em> really </em>may never come home).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have 182 Days of Curious Living ahead of me, peeps.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What are YOUR ideas for me?</strong></span> I already have the BIG ideas.  (Although I always welcome more.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>But let\'s remember that unless I win the lottery and I have nothing but time and money on my hands, I have real life responsibilities just like you.  The challenge is to inject a bit of sunshine into everyday life.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSooooo...Whatchya got?  Please share in the comment section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4846\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Add your idea to my Book of Secrets (mysterious way of saying &quot;ideas&quot;) in the comment section below.  Pretty please.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4846\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd THANK YOU for being a part of my world.  One of the BIGGEST rewards from this project is all of the new friends that have blessed my life by taking the time to read and support my endeavors.  I appreciate YOU!  *Hugs*\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 183:  We\'re at the Halfway Mark!','','inherit','open','open','','4835-autosave','','','2011-03-30 20:52:49','2011-03-31 03:52:49','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4835-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4849,1,'2011-03-30 20:51:45','2011-03-31 03:51:45','[caption id=\"attachment_4845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"My Book of Secrets\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4845\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis blog is a 365 project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd we\'re at Day 183 which means...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I\'m half way through the Year of Living Curiously!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I reflected on the journey thus far.  I\'m no Virginia Slims, but I\'ve come a long way, baby.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure that I realized just how intense this project was going to be <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/\" target=\"_blank\">when I launched on Day 1</a></strong>.  \"Living\" a soul-scintillating mini-adventure each day AND writing about it (AND facebooking about it, AND tweeting about it, AND commenting about it) is an enormous task.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s that career that I manage for 40 hours a week.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd let\'s not forget World\'s Most Precious Pooch whom I must feed, and water, and play with, and train, and exercise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember that Little Miss B was nowhere in sight on Day 1?  I never dreamed that I would bring a dog into my world during the busiest year of my life.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">Little Miss B had other plans for me on Day 43.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow life can change in 6 months!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, there have been BIG changes in my life since Day 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What\'s most interesting to me is how all of the mini-adventures are adding up to one monumental Life Experience.</strong></span> It\'s quite a ride!  I am here to attest that it\'s truly the \"little things\" that make life interesting and curious and a big bowl of cherries with whipped cream on top.  (Freshly whipped, of course.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I embarked on this journey, I created a List of Ideas in a sentimental journal that I purchased when on vacation with my Sissie and her family in Crested Butte, Colorado.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Note to self: </strong>When you\'re living the whirlwind that is this project, you don\'t have time to review the list.  Somehow, things and ideas magically come up, and you schedule them a week at a time in your old-school Franklin-Covey planner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I sat my tuckus on my sofa and perused the list.  I was about to share my favorite future ideas with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I changed my mind.  You already know a few BIG adventures on the horizon:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/08/day-132-reconnecting-the-old-fashioned-way-over-the-phone-not-on-facebook/\" target=\"_blank\">California Dreaming</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/15/day-78-are-you-an-artist-of-non-conformity/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/21/day-144-i-planned-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime/\" target=\"_blank\">The Grandmommy of Them ALL</a></strong> (I<em> really </em>may never come home).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have 182 Days of Curious Living ahead of me, peeps.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What are YOUR ideas for me?</strong></span> I already have the BIG ideas.  (Although I always welcome more.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>But let\'s remember that unless I win the lottery and I have nothing but time and money on my hands, I have real life responsibilities just like you.  The challenge is to inject a bit of sunshine into everyday life.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSooooo...Whatchya got?  Please share in the comment section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4846\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Add your idea to my Book of Secrets (mysterious way of saying &quot;ideas&quot;) in the comment section below.  Pretty please.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4846\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd THANK YOU for being a part of my world.  One of the BIGGEST rewards from this project is all of the new friends that have blessed my life by taking the time to read and support my endeavors.  I appreciate YOU!  *Hugs*\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 183:  We\'re at the Halfway Mark!','','inherit','open','open','','4835-revision-7','','','2011-03-30 20:51:45','2011-03-31 03:51:45','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4835-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4850,1,'2011-03-30 20:55:20','2011-03-31 03:55:20','[caption id=\"attachment_4845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"My Book of Secrets\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4845\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis blog is a 365 project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd we\'re at Day 183 which means...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I\'m half way through the Year of Living Curiously!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I reflected on the journey thus far.  I\'m no Virginia Slims, but I\'ve come a long way, baby.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure that I realized just how intense this project was going to be <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/\" target=\"_blank\">when I launched on Day 1</a></strong>.  \"Living\" a soul-scintillating mini-adventure each day AND writing about it (AND facebooking about it, AND tweeting about it, AND commenting about it) is an enormous task.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s that career that I manage for 40 hours a week.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd let\'s not forget World\'s Most Precious Pooch whom I must feed, and water, and play with, and train, and exercise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember that Little Miss B was nowhere in sight on Day 1?  I never dreamed that I would bring a dog into my world during the busiest year of my life.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">Little Miss B had other plans for me on Day 43.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow life can change in 6 months!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, there have been BIG changes in my life since Day 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What\'s most interesting to me is how all of the mini-adventures are adding up to one monumental Life Experience.</strong></span> It\'s quite a ride!  I am here to attest that it\'s truly the \"little things\" that make life interesting and curious and a big bowl of cherries with whipped cream on top. <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/28/day-62-pie-for-breakfast-its-good-for-you/\" target=\"_blank\"> (Freshly whipped, of course.)</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I embarked on this journey, I created a List of Ideas in a sentimental journal that I purchased when on vacation with my Sissie and her family in Crested Butte, Colorado.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Note to self: </strong>When you\'re living the whirlwind that is this project, you don\'t have time to review the list.  Somehow, things and ideas magically come up, and you schedule them a week at a time in your old-school Franklin-Covey planner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I sat my tuckus on my sofa and perused the list.  I was about to share my favorite future ideas with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I changed my mind.  You already know a few BIG adventures on the horizon:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/08/day-132-reconnecting-the-old-fashioned-way-over-the-phone-not-on-facebook/\" target=\"_blank\">California Dreaming</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/15/day-78-are-you-an-artist-of-non-conformity/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/21/day-144-i-planned-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime/\" target=\"_blank\">The Grandmommy of Them ALL</a></strong> (I<em> really </em>may never come home).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have 182 Days of Curious Living ahead of me, peeps.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What are YOUR ideas for me?</strong></span> I already have the BIG ideas.  (Although I always welcome more.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>But let\'s remember that unless I win the lottery and I have nothing but time and money on my hands, I have real life responsibilities just like you.  The challenge is to inject a bit of sunshine into everyday life.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSooooo...Whatchya got?  Please share in the comment section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4846\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Add your idea to my Book of Secrets (mysterious way of saying &quot;ideas&quot;) in the comment section below.  Pretty please.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4846\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd THANK YOU for being a part of my world.  One of the BIGGEST rewards from this project is all of the new friends that have blessed my life by taking the time to read and support my endeavors.  I appreciate YOU!  *Hugs*\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 183:  We\'re at the Halfway Mark!','','inherit','open','open','','4835-revision-8','','','2011-03-30 20:55:20','2011-03-31 03:55:20','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4835-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4851,1,'2011-03-30 21:24:17','2011-03-31 04:24:17','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-289','','','2011-03-30 21:24:17','2011-03-31 04:24:17','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4852,1,'2011-03-30 21:25:17','2011-03-31 04:25:17','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-290','','','2011-03-30 21:25:17','2011-03-31 04:25:17','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4853,1,'2011-03-30 21:26:17','2011-03-31 04:26:17','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-291','','','2011-03-30 21:26:17','2011-03-31 04:26:17','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4854,1,'2011-03-30 21:27:16','2011-03-31 04:27:16','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-292','','','2011-03-30 21:27:16','2011-03-31 04:27:16','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4855,1,'2011-03-30 21:25:51','2011-03-31 04:25:51','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\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\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-3','','','2011-03-30 21:25:51','2011-03-31 04:25:51','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4838-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4856,1,'2011-03-30 20:57:55','2011-03-31 03:57:55','[caption id=\"attachment_4845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"My Book of Secrets\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4845\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300011-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis blog is a 365 project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd we\'re at Day 183 which means...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I\'m half way through the Year of Living Curiously!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I reflected on the journey thus far.  I\'m no Virginia Slims, but I\'ve come a long way, baby.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure that I realized just how intense this project was going to be <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/\" target=\"_blank\">when I launched on Day 1</a></strong>.  \"Living\" a soul-scintillating mini-adventure each day AND writing about it (AND facebooking about it, AND tweeting about it, AND commenting about it) is an enormous task.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s that career that I manage for 40 hours a week.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd let\'s not forget World\'s Most Precious Pooch whom I must feed, and water, and play with, and train, and exercise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember that Little Miss B was nowhere in sight on Day 1?  I never dreamed that I would bring a dog into my world during the busiest year of my life.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">Little Miss B had other plans for me on Day 43.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow life can change in 6 months!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, there have been BIG changes in my life since Day 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What\'s most interesting to me is how all of the mini-adventures are adding up to one monumental Life Experience.</strong></span> It\'s quite a ride!  I am here to attest that it\'s truly the \"little things\" that make life interesting and curious and a big bowl of cherries with whipped cream on top. <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/28/day-62-pie-for-breakfast-its-good-for-you/\" target=\"_blank\"> (Freshly whipped, of course.)</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I embarked on this journey, I created a List of Ideas in a sentimental journal that I purchased when on vacation with my Sissie and her family in Crested Butte, Colorado.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Note to self: </strong>When you\'re living the whirlwind that is this project, you don\'t have time to review the list.  Somehow, things and ideas magically come up, and you schedule them a week at a time in your old-school Franklin-Covey planner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 183, I sat my tuckus on my sofa and perused the list.  I was about to share my favorite future ideas with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I changed my mind.  You already know a few BIG adventures on the horizon:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/08/day-132-reconnecting-the-old-fashioned-way-over-the-phone-not-on-facebook/\" target=\"_blank\">California Dreaming</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/15/day-78-are-you-an-artist-of-non-conformity/\" target=\"_blank\">World Domination Summit</a></strong> (I may never come home) AND <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/21/day-144-i-planned-the-adventure-of-a-lifetime/\" target=\"_blank\">The Grandmommy of Them ALL</a></strong> (I<em> really </em>may never come home).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have 182 Days of Curious Living ahead of me, peeps.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>What are YOUR ideas for me?</strong></span> I already have the BIG ideas.  (Although I always welcome more.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>But let\'s remember that unless I win the lottery and I have nothing but time and money on my hands, I have real life responsibilities just like you.  The challenge is to inject a bit of sunshine into everyday life.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSooooo...Whatchya got?  Please share in the comment section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4846\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Add your idea to my Book of Secrets (mysterious way of saying &quot;ideas&quot;) in the comment section below.  Pretty please.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4846\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3300012-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd THANK YOU for being a part of my world.  One of the BIGGEST rewards from this project is all of the new friends that have blessed my life by taking the time to read and support this endeavor.  I appreciate YOU!  *Hugs*\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 183:  We\'re at the Halfway Mark!','','inherit','open','open','','4835-revision-9','','','2011-03-30 20:57:55','2011-03-31 03:57:55','',4835,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/30/4835-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(4857,1,'2011-03-31 10:31:25','2011-03-31 17:31:25','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\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\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLet me root, root, root for the home team','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-4','','','2011-03-31 10:31:25','2011-03-31 17:31:25','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4838-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4858,1,'2011-03-31 10:32:21','2011-03-31 17:32:21','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me root, root, root for the Diamondbacks (stuff it, Cubbies fans!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf they don\'t win it\'s a shame\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor it\'s one, two, three strikes you\'re out\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the old Spring Training game!','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-5','','','2011-03-31 10:32:21','2011-03-31 17:32:21','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4838-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4859,1,'2011-03-31 10:34:33','2011-03-31 17:34:33','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\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\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLet me root, root, root for the Diamondbacks (stuff it, Cubbies fans!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf they don\'t win it\'s a shame\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor it\'s one, two, three strikes you\'re out\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the old Spring Training game!','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-6','','','2011-03-31 10:34:33','2011-03-31 17:34:33','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4838-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4860,1,'2011-03-31 10:38:23','2011-03-31 17:38:23','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\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\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLet me root, root, root for the Diamondbacks (stuff it, Cubbies fans!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf they don\'t win it\'s a shame\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor it\'s one, two, three strikes you\'re out\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the old Spring Training game!','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-7','','','2011-03-31 10:38:23','2011-03-31 17:38:23','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4838-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4861,1,'2011-03-31 10:38:25','2011-03-31 17:38:25','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me root, root, root for the Diamondbacks (stuff it, Cubbies fans!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf they don\'t win it\'s a shame\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor it\'s one, two, three strikes you\'re out\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the old Spring Training game!','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-8','','','2011-03-31 10:38:25','2011-03-31 17:38:25','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4838-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4863,1,'2011-03-31 10:40:08','2011-03-31 17:40:08','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\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\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLet me root, root, root for the Diamondbacks (stuff it, Cubbies fans!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf they don\'t win it\'s a shame\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor it\'s one, two, three strikes you\'re out\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the old Spring Training game!','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-10','','','2011-03-31 10:40:08','2011-03-31 17:40:08','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4838-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(4862,1,'2011-03-31 10:38:40','2011-03-31 17:38:40','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me root, root, root for the Diamondbacks (stuff it, Cubbies fans!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf they don\'t win it\'s a shame\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor it\'s one, two, three strikes you\'re out\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the old Spring Training game!','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-9','','','2011-03-31 10:38:40','2011-03-31 17:38:40','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4838-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(4864,1,'2011-03-31 10:45:53','2011-03-31 17:45:53','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\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\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLet me root, root, root for the Diamondbacks (stuff it, Cubbies fans!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf they don\'t win it\'s a shame\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor it\'s one, two, three strikes you\'re out\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the old Spring Training game!','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-autosave','','','2011-03-31 10:45:53','2011-03-31 17:45:53','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4838-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4865,1,'2011-03-31 10:44:50','2011-03-31 17:44:50','[caption id=\"attachment_4851\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the Spring Training game\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4851\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290002-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDay 185 involved yet another \"team building\" event hosted by the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAll in a day\'s work, my friends.  All in a day\'s work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Take me out to the crowd\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4852\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290005-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4853\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Buy me some Indian Fry Bread and Cracker Jack\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4853 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4854\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Laney and I don&#39;t care if we ever get back \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4854\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3290007-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me root, root, root for the Diamondbacks (stuff it, Cubbies fans!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf they don\'t win it\'s a shame\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor it\'s one, two, three strikes you\'re out\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the old Spring Training game!','Day 184:  Take Me Out to the Spring Training Game','','inherit','open','open','','4838-revision-11','','','2011-03-31 10:44:50','2011-03-31 17:44:50','',4838,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4838-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(4866,1,'2011-04-01 01:11:50','2011-04-01 08:11:50','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">SHOCKING PHOTOS BELOW!!!</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\r\n</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I SWEAR to you on all things sacred in my life (including Little Miss B) that this is NOT an April Fool\'s joke.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI felt a lot of pressure to whip out some sort of stellar April Fool\'s joke for you today, but I just couldn\'t seem to get it together.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I thought, why am I sweating over this?  I don\'t NEED an April Fool\'s Joke!  I have Bella\'s Doggie DNA test results, and NOTHING could top this joke!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/24/day-149-doggie-dna-test-yes-ive-lost-my-mind/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>You may recall that on Day 149 I temporarily lost my sanity and dished out 70 buckaroos + tax for a Doggie DNA test.</strong></a> I\'m not sure if I was brave enough to share the expenditure with you back then, but I\'m coming clean now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>This is what people without human kids do.  We overindulge our pets.  (And our own insatiable canine curiosity, in this instance.)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella moonlights as the Poster Child for \"Cutest Dog You Will Ever See In Your Life\".  It\'s true.  Total strangers stop and coo over Little Miss B.  Everyone\'s first question (after the \"She is adorable!\" declaration) is:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>\"What kind of dog is she?\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve been told by People in the Know (<strong><a href=\"http://www.mixedupmutts.net/adopt.html\" target=\"_blank\">Mixed-Up Mutts Rescue</a></strong> and her vets) that Little Miss B is a \"wire-haired terrier mix\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://www.wisdompanel.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Wisdom Panel/Mars Veterinary</a></strong>, the makers of the Doggie DNA Test, have shared Bella\'s results with me.  Before the reveal...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Let\'s play a little game.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Which of the breeds below do you think match Bella\'s gene pool?  You may pick up to three.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC41271.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4873\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC41271-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skys/24625704/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4874\" title=\"24625704_eafe9f6f3b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/24625704_eafe9f6f3b-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWas her biological mother a Yorkie?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-holiday-1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4875\" title=\"Bella holiday 1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-holiday-1-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayayan/527787596/sizes/m/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4876\" title=\"527787596_8bd2ffd556\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/527787596_8bd2ffd556-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWas Daddy a Poodle?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4173.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4877\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4173-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.saveadog.org.au/adoption_stories/toby_story.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4878\" title=\"bobby(jrt)_r2\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bobbyjrt_r2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPerhaps she has a touch of wire-haired Jack Russell Terrier in her lineage?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4879\" title=\"Bella-3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-3-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/marionenkevin/3455993466/sizes/m/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4880\" title=\"3455993466_1b5cea8ffb\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/3455993466_1b5cea8ffb-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>\r\n\r\nOr...she was found in the streets of Yuma which is very close to Mexico.  Chihuahua?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4150.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4881\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/90738513@N00/2139649370/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4883\" title=\"2139649370_fc57d9ef7e\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2139649370_fc57d9ef7e1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCould my 10 pound peanut have Neapolitan Mastiff in her DNA?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: large; color: #008000;\">Here are the results from Mars Veterinary\'s Wisdom Panel.  May I have a drum roll, please?</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: large; color: #008000;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>*</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>*</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>*</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>*</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>*</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #008000;\"><strong>*</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>*</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>*</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>*</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>*</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Click each item to enlarge if you need.)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4885\" title=\"BreedReport2\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport2-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4886\" title=\"BreedReport\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport-300x230.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"230\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Mars Veterinary, it may be April 1st, but I am no fool.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\r\n</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd you are no scientific organization.  Nor are your tests in any way, shape, or form \"authentic\".  I want my money back.  Now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDear Readers, what do you think?  Hmmmm???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIs this a scam?  Should Mars Veterinary kindly refund my money?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 185:  Doggie DNA Results Are In!','','publish','open','open','','day-185-doggie-dna-results-are-in','','','2011-03-31 21:17:43','2011-04-01 04:17:43','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=4866',0,'post','',17),(4867,1,'2011-03-31 16:30:26','2011-03-31 23:30:26','I SWEAR to you on all things sacred in my life (including Little Miss B) that this is NOT an April Fool\'s joke.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI felt a lot of pressure to whip out some sort of stellar April Fool\'s joke for you today, but I just couldn\'t seem to get it together.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I thought, why am I sweating over this?  I don\'t NEED an April Fool\'s Joke!  I have Bella\'s Doggie DNA test results, and NOTHING could top this!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may recall that on Day 149 I temporarily lost my sanity and dished out\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 185:  Bella\'s Doggie DNA Results Are In! ','','inherit','open','open','','4866-revision','','','2011-03-31 16:30:26','2011-03-31 23:30:26','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4866-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4868,1,'2011-03-31 16:36:57','2011-03-31 23:36:57','I SWEAR to you on all things sacred in my life (including Little Miss B) that this is NOT an April Fool\'s joke.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI felt a lot of pressure to whip out some sort of stellar April Fool\'s joke for you today, but I just couldn\'t seem to get it together.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I thought, why am I sweating over this?  I don\'t NEED an April Fool\'s Joke!  I have Bella\'s Doggie DNA test results, and NOTHING could top this!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may recall that on Day 149 I temporarily lost my sanity and dished out 80 buckaroos for a Doggie DNA test.  I\'m not sure if I was brave enough to share the expenditure with you back then, but I\'m coming clean now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is what people without human kids do.  We overindulge our pets.  And our curiosity, in this instance.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella is most obviously the Poster Child for \"Wire-Haired Terrier Mix\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe also moonlights as the Poster Child for \"Cutest Dog You Will Ever See In Your Life\".  It\'s true.  Total strangers stop and coo over Little Miss B.  Everyone\'s first question (after the \"She is so adorable!\" profession):   \"What kind of dog is she?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve been told by People in the Know (Mixed-Up Mutts Rescue and her vets) that she is a \"wire-haired terrier mix\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 185:  Bella\'s Doggie DNA Results Are In! ','','inherit','open','open','','4866-revision-2','','','2011-03-31 16:36:57','2011-03-31 23:36:57','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4866-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4869,1,'2011-03-31 16:37:15','2011-03-31 23:37:15','I SWEAR to you on all things sacred in my life (including Little Miss B) that this is NOT an April Fool\'s joke.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI felt a lot of pressure to whip out some sort of stellar April Fool\'s joke for you today, but I just couldn\'t seem to get it together.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I thought, why am I sweating over this?  I don\'t NEED an April Fool\'s Joke!  I have Bella\'s Doggie DNA test results, and NOTHING could top this!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/24/day-149-doggie-dna-test-yes-ive-lost-my-mind/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>You may recall that on Day 149 I temporarily lost my sanity and dished out 80 buckaroos for a Doggie DNA test.</strong></a> I\'m not sure if I was brave enough to share the expenditure with you back then, but I\'m coming clean now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is what people without human kids do.  We overindulge our pets.  And our curiosity, in this instance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella is most obviously the Poster Child for \"Wire-Haired Terrier Mix\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe also moonlights as the Poster Child for \"Cutest Dog You Will Ever See In Your Life\".  It\'s true.  Total strangers stop and coo over Little Miss B.  Everyone\'s first question (after the \"She is so adorable!\" profession):   \"What kind of dog is she?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve been told by People in the Know (Mixed-Up Mutts Rescue and her vets) that she is a \"wire-haired terrier mix\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 185:  Bella\'s Doggie DNA Results Are In! ','','inherit','open','open','','4866-revision-3','','','2011-03-31 16:37:15','2011-03-31 23:37:15','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4866-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4870,1,'2011-03-31 16:38:08','2011-03-31 23:38:08','I SWEAR to you on all things sacred in my life (including Little Miss B) that this is NOT an April Fool\'s joke.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI felt a lot of pressure to whip out some sort of stellar April Fool\'s joke for you today, but I just couldn\'t seem to get it together.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I thought, why am I sweating over this?  I don\'t NEED an April Fool\'s Joke!  I have Bella\'s Doggie DNA test results, and NOTHING could top this joke!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/24/day-149-doggie-dna-test-yes-ive-lost-my-mind/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>You may recall that on Day 149 I temporarily lost my sanity and dished out 80 buckaroos for a Doggie DNA test.</strong></a> I\'m not sure if I was brave enough to share the expenditure with you back then, but I\'m coming clean now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is what people without human kids do.  We overindulge our pets.  And our curiosity, in this instance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella is most obviously the Poster Child for \"Wire-Haired Terrier Mix\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe also moonlights as the Poster Child for \"Cutest Dog You Will Ever See In Your Life\".  It\'s true.  Total strangers stop and coo over Little Miss B.  Everyone\'s first question (after the \"She is so adorable!\" profession):   \"What kind of dog is she?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve been told by People in the Know (Mixed-Up Mutts Rescue and her vets) that she is a \"wire-haired terrier mix\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 185:  Bella\'s Doggie DNA Results Are In! ','','inherit','open','open','','4866-revision-4','','','2011-03-31 16:38:08','2011-03-31 23:38:08','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4866-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4872,1,'2011-03-31 19:48:01','2011-04-01 02:48:01','','SONY DSC','','inherit','open','open','','sony-dsc-8','','','2011-03-31 19:48:01','2011-04-01 02:48:01','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4127.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4871,1,'2011-03-31 16:38:50','2011-03-31 23:38:50','I SWEAR to you on all things sacred in my life (including Little Miss B) that this is NOT an April Fool\'s joke.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI felt a lot of pressure to whip out some sort of stellar April Fool\'s joke for you today, but I just couldn\'t seem to get it together.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I thought, why am I sweating over this?  I don\'t NEED an April Fool\'s Joke!  I have Bella\'s Doggie DNA test results, and NOTHING could top this joke!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/24/day-149-doggie-dna-test-yes-ive-lost-my-mind/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>You may recall that on Day 149 I temporarily lost my sanity and dished out 80 buckaroos for a Doggie DNA test.</strong></a> I\'m not sure if I was brave enough to share the expenditure with you back then, but I\'m coming clean now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis is what people without human kids do.  We overindulge our pets.  And our insatiable canine curiosity, in this instance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella is most obviously the Poster Child for \"Wire-Haired Terrier Mix\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe also moonlights as the Poster Child for \"Cutest Dog You Will Ever See In Your Life\".  It\'s true.  Total strangers stop and coo over Little Miss B.  Everyone\'s first question (after the \"She is so adorable!\" profession):   \"What kind of dog is she?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve been told by People in the Know (Mixed-Up Mutts Rescue and her vets) that she is a \"wire-haired terrier mix\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 185:  Bella\'s Doggie DNA Results Are In! ','','inherit','open','open','','4866-revision-5','','','2011-03-31 16:38:50','2011-03-31 23:38:50','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4866-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4873,1,'2011-03-31 19:50:53','2011-04-01 02:50:53','','SONY DSC','','inherit','open','open','','sony-dsc-9','','','2011-03-31 19:50:53','2011-04-01 02:50:53','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC41271.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4874,1,'2011-03-31 19:56:25','2011-04-01 02:56:25','','24625704_eafe9f6f3b','','inherit','open','open','','24625704_eafe9f6f3b','','','2011-03-31 19:56:25','2011-04-01 02:56:25','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/24625704_eafe9f6f3b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4875,1,'2011-03-31 19:57:42','2011-04-01 02:57:42','','Bella holiday 1','','inherit','open','open','','bella-holiday-1-2','','','2011-03-31 19:57:42','2011-04-01 02:57:42','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-holiday-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4876,1,'2011-03-31 20:03:01','2011-04-01 03:03:01','','527787596_8bd2ffd556','','inherit','open','open','','527787596_8bd2ffd556','','','2011-03-31 20:03:01','2011-04-01 03:03:01','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/527787596_8bd2ffd556.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4877,1,'2011-03-31 20:15:01','2011-04-01 03:15:01','','SONY DSC','','inherit','open','open','','sony-dsc-10','','','2011-03-31 20:15:01','2011-04-01 03:15:01','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4173.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4878,1,'2011-03-31 20:15:35','2011-04-01 03:15:35','','bobby(jrt)_r2','','inherit','open','open','','bobbyjrt_r2','','','2011-03-31 20:15:35','2011-04-01 03:15:35','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bobbyjrt_r2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4879,1,'2011-03-31 20:21:01','2011-04-01 03:21:01','','Bella-3','','inherit','open','open','','bella-3-2','','','2011-03-31 20:21:01','2011-04-01 03:21:01','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4880,1,'2011-03-31 20:21:40','2011-04-01 03:21:40','','3455993466_1b5cea8ffb','','inherit','open','open','','3455993466_1b5cea8ffb','','','2011-03-31 20:21:40','2011-04-01 03:21:40','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/3455993466_1b5cea8ffb.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4881,1,'2011-03-31 20:25:57','2011-04-01 03:25:57','','SONY DSC','','inherit','open','open','','sony-dsc-11','','','2011-03-31 20:25:57','2011-04-01 03:25:57','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4882,1,'2011-03-31 20:26:33','2011-04-01 03:26:33','','2139649370_fc57d9ef7e','','inherit','open','open','','2139649370_fc57d9ef7e','','','2011-03-31 20:26:33','2011-04-01 03:26:33','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2139649370_fc57d9ef7e.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4883,1,'2011-03-31 20:27:01','2011-04-01 03:27:01','','2139649370_fc57d9ef7e','','inherit','open','open','','2139649370_fc57d9ef7e-2','','','2011-03-31 20:27:01','2011-04-01 03:27:01','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2139649370_fc57d9ef7e1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4884,1,'2011-03-31 20:30:20','2011-04-01 03:30:20','I SWEAR to you on all things sacred in my life (including Little Miss B) that this is NOT an April Fool\'s joke.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI felt a lot of pressure to whip out some sort of stellar April Fool\'s joke for you today, but I just couldn\'t seem to get it together.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I thought, why am I sweating over this?  I don\'t NEED an April Fool\'s Joke!  I have Bella\'s Doggie DNA test results, and NOTHING could top this joke!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/24/day-149-doggie-dna-test-yes-ive-lost-my-mind/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>You may recall that on Day 149 I temporarily lost my sanity and dished out 70 buckaroos + tax for a Doggie DNA test.</strong></a> I\'m not sure if I was brave enough to share the expenditure with you back then, but I\'m coming clean now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is what people without human kids do.  We overindulge our pets.  And our insatiable canine curiosity, in this instance.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella is most obviously the Poster Child for \"Wire-Haired Terrier Mix\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe also moonlights as the Poster Child for \"Cutest Dog You Will Ever See In Your Life\".  It\'s true.  Total strangers stop and coo over Little Miss B.  Everyone\'s first question (after the \"She is adorable!\" profession):   \"What kind of dog is she?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve been told by People in the Know (Mixed-Up Mutts Rescue and her vets) that she is a \"wire-haired terrier mix\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWisdom Panel/Mars Veterinary, the makers of the Doggie DNA Test, have shared Bella\'s results with me.  Before the reveal...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLet\'s play a little game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich of the breeds below do you think match Bella\'s gene pool?  You may pick up to three.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC41271.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4873\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC41271-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skys/24625704/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4874\" title=\"24625704_eafe9f6f3b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/24625704_eafe9f6f3b-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWas her biological mother a Yorkie?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-holiday-1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4875\" title=\"Bella holiday 1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-holiday-1-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayayan/527787596/sizes/m/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4876\" title=\"527787596_8bd2ffd556\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/527787596_8bd2ffd556-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\nWas Daddy a poodle?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4173.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4877\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4173-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.saveadog.org.au/adoption_stories/toby_story.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4878\" title=\"bobby(jrt)_r2\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bobbyjrt_r2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\nPerhaps she has a touch of wire-haired Jack Russell Terrier in her lineage?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4879\" title=\"Bella-3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-3-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/marionenkevin/3455993466/sizes/m/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4880\" title=\"3455993466_1b5cea8ffb\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/3455993466_1b5cea8ffb-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>\n\nOr...she was found in the streets of Yuma which is very close to Mexico.  Chihuahua?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4150.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4881\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/90738513@N00/2139649370/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4883\" title=\"2139649370_fc57d9ef7e\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2139649370_fc57d9ef7e1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nCould my 10 pound peanut have Neopolitan Mastiff in her DNA?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere are the results from Mars Veterinary\'s Wisdom Panel.  May I have a drumroll,\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 185:  Bella\'s Doggie DNA Results Are In!','','inherit','open','open','','4866-revision-6','','','2011-03-31 20:30:20','2011-04-01 03:30:20','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4866-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4885,1,'2011-03-31 20:34:15','2011-04-01 03:34:15','','BreedReport2','','inherit','open','open','','breedreport2','','','2011-03-31 20:34:15','2011-04-01 03:34:15','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4886,1,'2011-03-31 20:35:07','2011-04-01 03:35:07','','BreedReport','','inherit','open','open','','breedreport','','','2011-03-31 20:35:07','2011-04-01 03:35:07','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4887,1,'2011-03-31 20:34:38','2011-04-01 03:34:38','I SWEAR to you on all things sacred in my life (including Little Miss B) that this is NOT an April Fool\'s joke.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI felt a lot of pressure to whip out some sort of stellar April Fool\'s joke for you today, but I just couldn\'t seem to get it together.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I thought, why am I sweating over this?  I don\'t NEED an April Fool\'s Joke!  I have Bella\'s Doggie DNA test results, and NOTHING could top this joke!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/24/day-149-doggie-dna-test-yes-ive-lost-my-mind/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>You may recall that on Day 149 I temporarily lost my sanity and dished out 70 buckaroos + tax for a Doggie DNA test.</strong></a> I\'m not sure if I was brave enough to share the expenditure with you back then, but I\'m coming clean now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is what people without human kids do.  We overindulge our pets.  And our insatiable canine curiosity, in this instance.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella is most obviously the Poster Child for \"Wire-Haired Terrier Mix\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe also moonlights as the Poster Child for \"Cutest Dog You Will Ever See In Your Life\".  It\'s true.  Total strangers stop and coo over Little Miss B.  Everyone\'s first question (after the \"She is adorable!\" profession):   \"What kind of dog is she?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve been told by People in the Know (Mixed-Up Mutts Rescue and her vets) that she is a \"wire-haired terrier mix\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWisdom Panel/Mars Veterinary, the makers of the Doggie DNA Test, have shared Bella\'s results with me.  Before the reveal...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLet\'s play a little game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich of the breeds below do you think match Bella\'s gene pool?  You may pick up to three.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC41271.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4873\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC41271-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skys/24625704/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4874\" title=\"24625704_eafe9f6f3b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/24625704_eafe9f6f3b-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWas her biological mother a Yorkie?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-holiday-1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4875\" title=\"Bella holiday 1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-holiday-1-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayayan/527787596/sizes/m/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4876\" title=\"527787596_8bd2ffd556\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/527787596_8bd2ffd556-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\nWas Daddy a poodle?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4173.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4877\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4173-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.saveadog.org.au/adoption_stories/toby_story.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4878\" title=\"bobby(jrt)_r2\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bobbyjrt_r2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\nPerhaps she has a touch of wire-haired Jack Russell Terrier in her lineage?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4879\" title=\"Bella-3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-3-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/marionenkevin/3455993466/sizes/m/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4880\" title=\"3455993466_1b5cea8ffb\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/3455993466_1b5cea8ffb-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>\n\nOr...she was found in the streets of Yuma which is very close to Mexico.  Chihuahua?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4150.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4881\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/90738513@N00/2139649370/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4883\" title=\"2139649370_fc57d9ef7e\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2139649370_fc57d9ef7e1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nCould my 10 pound peanut have Neopolitan Mastiff in her DNA?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere are the results from Mars Veterinary\'s Wisdom Panel.  May I have a drumroll, please?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4885\" title=\"BreedReport2\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport2-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;','Day 185:  Bella\'s Doggie DNA Results Are In!','','inherit','open','open','','4866-revision-7','','','2011-03-31 20:34:38','2011-04-01 03:34:38','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4866-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4888,1,'2011-03-31 20:36:34','2011-04-01 03:36:34','I SWEAR to you on all things sacred in my life (including Little Miss B) that this is NOT an April Fool\'s joke.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI felt a lot of pressure to whip out some sort of stellar April Fool\'s joke for you today, but I just couldn\'t seem to get it together.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I thought, why am I sweating over this?  I don\'t NEED an April Fool\'s Joke!  I have Bella\'s Doggie DNA test results, and NOTHING could top this joke!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/02/24/day-149-doggie-dna-test-yes-ive-lost-my-mind/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>You may recall that on Day 149 I temporarily lost my sanity and dished out 70 buckaroos + tax for a Doggie DNA test.</strong></a> I\'m not sure if I was brave enough to share the expenditure with you back then, but I\'m coming clean now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis is what people without human kids do.  We overindulge our pets.  And our insatiable canine curiosity, in this instance.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella is most obviously the Poster Child for \"Wire-Haired Terrier Mix\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe also moonlights as the Poster Child for \"Cutest Dog You Will Ever See In Your Life\".  It\'s true.  Total strangers stop and coo over Little Miss B.  Everyone\'s first question (after the \"She is adorable!\" profession):   \"What kind of dog is she?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ve been told by People in the Know (Mixed-Up Mutts Rescue and her vets) that she is a \"wire-haired terrier mix\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWisdom Panel/Mars Veterinary, the makers of the Doggie DNA Test, have shared Bella\'s results with me.  Before the reveal...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLet\'s play a little game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich of the breeds below do you think match Bella\'s gene pool?  You may pick up to three.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC41271.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4873\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC41271-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/skys/24625704/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4874\" title=\"24625704_eafe9f6f3b\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/24625704_eafe9f6f3b-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWas her biological mother a Yorkie?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-holiday-1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4875\" title=\"Bella holiday 1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-holiday-1-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayayan/527787596/sizes/m/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4876\" title=\"527787596_8bd2ffd556\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/527787596_8bd2ffd556-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\nWas Daddy a poodle?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4173.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4877\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4173-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.saveadog.org.au/adoption_stories/toby_story.asp\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4878\" title=\"bobby(jrt)_r2\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bobbyjrt_r2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>\n\nPerhaps she has a touch of wire-haired Jack Russell Terrier in her lineage?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4879\" title=\"Bella-3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bella-3-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/marionenkevin/3455993466/sizes/m/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4880\" title=\"3455993466_1b5cea8ffb\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/3455993466_1b5cea8ffb-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>\n\nOr...she was found in the streets of Yuma which is very close to Mexico.  Chihuahua?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4150.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4881\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/90738513@N00/2139649370/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4883\" title=\"2139649370_fc57d9ef7e\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2139649370_fc57d9ef7e1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nCould my 10 pound peanut have Neopolitan Mastiff in her DNA?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere are the results from Mars Veterinary\'s Wisdom Panel.  May I have a drumroll, please?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4885\" title=\"BreedReport2\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport2-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4886\" title=\"BreedReport\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BreedReport-300x230.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"230\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;','Day 185:  Bella\'s Doggie DNA Results Are In!','','inherit','open','open','','4866-revision-8','','','2011-03-31 20:36:34','2011-04-01 03:36:34','',4866,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/31/4866-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),