INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (11789,1,'2012-12-18 17:50:17','2012-12-19 00:50:17','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" height=\"360\" width=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-49','','','2012-12-18 17:50:17','2012-12-19 00:50:17','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-49/',0,'revision','',0),(11788,1,'2012-12-18 17:45:43','2012-12-19 00:45:43','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-48','','','2012-12-18 17:45:43','2012-12-19 00:45:43','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-48/',0,'revision','',0),(11790,1,'2012-12-18 17:55:56','2012-12-19 00:55:56','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" height=\"360\" width=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the chachkes as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-50','','','2012-12-18 17:55:56','2012-12-19 00:55:56','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-50/',0,'revision','',0),(11791,1,'2012-12-18 17:58:12','2012-12-19 00:58:12','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" height=\"360\" width=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or chachkes. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-51','','','2012-12-18 17:58:12','2012-12-19 00:58:12','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-51/',0,'revision','',0),(11792,1,'2012-12-18 17:58:54','2012-12-19 00:58:54','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" height=\"360\" width=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-52','','','2012-12-18 17:58:54','2012-12-19 00:58:54','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-52/',0,'revision','',0),(11793,1,'2012-12-18 18:03:31','2012-12-19 01:03:31','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" height=\"360\" width=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-autosave','','','2012-12-18 18:03:31','2012-12-19 01:03:31','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(11794,1,'2012-12-18 17:59:10','2012-12-19 00:59:10','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" height=\"360\" width=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-53','','','2012-12-18 17:59:10','2012-12-19 00:59:10','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-53/',0,'revision','',0),(11795,1,'2012-12-18 18:01:56','2012-12-19 01:01:56','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" height=\"360\" width=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-54','','','2012-12-18 18:01:56','2012-12-19 01:01:56','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-54/',0,'revision','',0),(11799,1,'2012-12-19 01:11:56','2012-12-19 08:11:56','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-58','','','2012-12-19 01:11:56','2012-12-19 08:11:56','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/11730-revision-58/',0,'revision','',0),(11796,1,'2012-12-18 18:03:27','2012-12-19 01:03:27','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" height=\"360\" width=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-55','','','2012-12-18 18:03:27','2012-12-19 01:03:27','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-55/',0,'revision','',0),(11797,1,'2012-12-18 18:03:35','2012-12-19 01:03:35','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" height=\"360\" width=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-56','','','2012-12-18 18:03:35','2012-12-19 01:03:35','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-56/',0,'revision','',0),(11798,0,'2012-12-18 18:29:48','2012-12-19 01:29:48','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-57','','','2012-12-18 18:29:48','2012-12-19 01:29:48','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-57/',0,'revision','',0),(11800,1,'2012-12-19 07:55:24','2012-12-19 14:55:24','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug?list=UU8mz1J9jT_HELYRC9d-6h7A&amp;hl=en_US\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-59','','','2012-12-19 07:55:24','2012-12-19 14:55:24','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/11730-revision-59/',0,'revision','',0),(11802,1,'2012-12-19 07:56:19','2012-12-19 14:56:19','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-793/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/2505755678_302621fa0a/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-794/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-795/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-796/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-797/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-798/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-799/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-801/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-61','','','2012-12-19 07:56:19','2012-12-19 14:56:19','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/11730-revision-61/',0,'revision','',0),(11801,1,'2012-12-19 07:55:24','2012-12-19 14:55:24','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-793/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug?list=UU8mz1J9jT_HELYRC9d-6h7A&amp;hl=en_US\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/2505755678_302621fa0a/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-794/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-795/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-796/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-797/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-798/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-799/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-801/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-60','','','2012-12-19 07:55:24','2012-12-19 14:55:24','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/11730-revision-60/',0,'revision','',0),(11803,1,'2012-12-19 07:56:59','2012-12-19 14:56:59','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-793/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figure, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/2505755678_302621fa0a/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-794/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBack on the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that?!?! When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you! That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-795/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-796/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-797/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kills #2 and #3.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-798/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Neither of us are hard up for an eraser or a chachke. Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-799/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11738\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /> John Wayne Pooch??? Bella is sorry that she missed him.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/olympus-digital-camera-801/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-62','','','2012-12-19 07:56:59','2012-12-19 14:56:59','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/11730-revision-62/',0,'revision','',0),(11961,1,'2013-01-19 10:52:10','2013-01-19 17:52:10','','Greetings from My Blogcation','','inherit','open','open','','11960-revision','','','2013-01-19 10:52:10','2013-01-19 17:52:10','',11960,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/19/11960-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(11805,1,'2012-12-22 08:50:57','2012-12-22 15:50:57','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/playdate-49-wish-lanterns/olympus-digital-camera-802/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her pretty little hair-sprayed head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we discover a Peeping Tom in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known that Car Friend lurked in the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/playdate-49-wish-lanterns/olympus-digital-camera-803/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','publish','open','open','','playdate-49-wish-lanterns','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/','2012-12-22 08:50:57','2012-12-22 15:50:57','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=11805',0,'post','',8),(11806,1,'2012-12-19 12:23:51','2012-12-19 19:23:51','original idea from dawn with photo from pinterest?\n\ndirections photo :-p\n\n&nbsp;\n\nguy in car\n\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision','','','2012-12-19 12:23:51','2012-12-19 19:23:51','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/11805-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(11807,1,'2012-12-19 12:23:58','2012-12-19 19:23:58','original idea from dawn with photo from pinterest?\r\n\r\ndirections photo :-p\r\n\r\nguy in car\r\n\r\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-2','','','2012-12-19 12:23:58','2012-12-19 19:23:58','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/11805-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(11809,1,'2012-12-20 10:45:52','2012-12-20 17:45:52','','285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG','','inherit','open','open','','285204588872255461_b1zkhzlg','','','2012-12-20 10:45:52','2012-12-20 17:45:52','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11810,1,'2012-12-20 10:49:03','2012-12-20 17:49:03','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns.  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Wish Lanterns aka Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from Pinterest.\n\ndirections photo :-p  after video\n\nguy in car\n\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-3','','','2012-12-20 10:49:03','2012-12-20 17:49:03','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/20/11805-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(11811,1,'2012-12-20 10:56:50','2012-12-20 17:56:50','','World\"s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-802','','','2012-12-20 10:56:50','2012-12-20 17:56:50','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11812,1,'2012-12-20 11:13:01','2012-12-20 18:13:01','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (I chose the eco-friendly ones, naturally.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since we couldn\'t remember when (September maybe?), and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  Whew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <strong>accident prone</strong>.  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.  Our night would not have been the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMe:  What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCar Friend:  Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I give one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMe:  Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCar Friend:  I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle vic\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>\n&nbsp;\n\nI experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns.  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\ndirections photo :-p  after video\n\nguy in car\n\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-4','','','2012-12-20 11:13:01','2012-12-20 18:13:01','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/20/11805-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(11813,1,'2012-12-20 11:17:01','2012-12-20 18:17:01','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (I chose the eco-friendly ones, naturally.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <strong>accident prone</strong>.  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.  Our night would not have been the same.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Me:</strong>  What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Car Friend:</strong>  Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Me:</strong>  Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Car Friend:  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>\n&nbsp;\n\nI experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns.  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\ndirections photo :-p  after video\n\nguy in car\n\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-5','','','2012-12-20 11:17:01','2012-12-20 18:17:01','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/20/11805-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(11815,1,'2012-12-20 11:18:01','2012-12-20 18:18:01','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (I chose the eco-friendly ones, naturally.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <strong>accident prone</strong>.  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\ndirections photo\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Me:</strong>  What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Car Friend:</strong>  Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Me:</strong>  Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Car Friend:  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>\n&nbsp;\n\nI experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns.  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\ndirections photo :-p  after video\n\nguy in car\n\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-7','','','2012-12-20 11:18:01','2012-12-20 18:18:01','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/20/11805-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(11814,1,'2012-12-20 11:17:26','2012-12-20 18:17:26','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (I chose the eco-friendly ones, naturally.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <strong>accident prone</strong>.  Wise choice, if you ask me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\ndirections photo\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Me:</strong>  What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Car Friend:</strong>  Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Me:</strong>  Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Car Friend:  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMichelle video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns.  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\ndirections photo :-p  after video\r\n\r\nguy in car\r\n\r\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-6','','','2012-12-20 11:17:26','2012-12-20 18:17:26','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/20/11805-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(11816,1,'2012-12-21 17:21:46','2012-12-22 00:21:46','','Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! ','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-803','','','2012-12-21 17:21:46','2012-12-22 00:21:46','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11817,1,'2012-12-21 17:23:34','2012-12-22 00:23:34','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (I chose the eco-friendly ones, naturally.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Me:</strong>  What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Car Friend:</strong>  Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Me:</strong>  Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Car Friend:  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>\n&nbsp;\n\nI experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns.  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\ndirections photo :-p  after video\n\nguy in car\n\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-8','','','2012-12-21 17:23:34','2012-12-22 00:23:34','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/21/11805-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(11818,1,'2012-12-21 17:25:33','2012-12-22 00:25:33','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (I chose the eco-friendly ones, naturally.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span>  What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong>  </span>Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong>  </span>Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>\n&nbsp;\n\nI experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns.  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50!)\n\ndirections photo :-p  after video\n\nguy in car\n\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-9','','','2012-12-21 17:25:33','2012-12-22 00:25:33','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/21/11805-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(11819,1,'2012-12-21 17:26:47','2012-12-22 00:26:47','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (I chose the eco-friendly ones, naturally.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong></span>  What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong>  </span>Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong>  </span>Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>\n&nbsp;\n\nI experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns.  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50!)\n\ndirections photo :-p  after video\n\nguy in car\n\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-10','','','2012-12-21 17:26:47','2012-12-22 00:26:47','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/21/11805-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(11820,1,'2012-12-21 17:27:39','2012-12-22 00:27:39','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Me:</strong>  What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Car Friend:</strong>  Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Me:</strong>  Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Car Friend:  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMichelle video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns.  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50!)\r\n\r\ndirections photo :-p  after video\r\n\r\nguy in car\r\n\r\nshort and sweet and you tube videos.  also, wedding you tube link at end.  :-)','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-11','','','2012-12-21 17:27:39','2012-12-22 00:27:39','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/21/11805-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(11821,1,'2012-12-22 08:19:01','2012-12-22 15:19:01','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn video.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-12','','','2012-12-22 08:19:01','2012-12-22 15:19:01','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(11822,1,'2012-12-22 08:24:02','2012-12-22 15:24:02','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<iframe width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMichelle video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-13','','','2012-12-22 08:24:02','2012-12-22 15:24:02','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(11823,1,'2012-12-22 08:27:02','2012-12-22 15:27:02','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<iframe width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n<iframe width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-14','','','2012-12-22 08:27:02','2012-12-22 15:27:02','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(11824,1,'2012-12-22 08:28:02','2012-12-22 15:28:02','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I had no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\n\nwi','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-15','','','2012-12-22 08:28:02','2012-12-22 15:28:02','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(11826,1,'2012-12-22 08:30:23','2012-12-22 15:30:23','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\n\nwi','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-17','','','2012-12-22 08:30:23','2012-12-22 15:30:23','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(11825,1,'2012-12-22 08:28:18','2012-12-22 15:28:18','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been from our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\r\n\r\nwi','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-16','','','2012-12-22 08:28:18','2012-12-22 15:28:18','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(11830,1,'2012-12-22 08:32:57','2012-12-22 15:32:57','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\n\nwi','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-21','','','2012-12-22 08:32:57','2012-12-22 15:32:57','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(11827,1,'2012-12-22 08:30:58','2012-12-22 15:30:58','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"717\" height=\"538\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\r\n\r\nwi','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-18','','','2012-12-22 08:30:58','2012-12-22 15:30:58','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(11828,1,'2012-12-22 08:31:12','2012-12-22 15:31:12','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"717\" height=\"538\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\r\n\r\nwi','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-19','','','2012-12-22 08:31:12','2012-12-22 15:31:12','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(11829,1,'2012-12-22 08:31:16','2012-12-22 15:31:16','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert was probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors out of harm\'s way.  Dawn and I were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas are running amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first.  I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  Wise choice, if you ask me.\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza) and known what we were doing, we would have never known about Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"717\" height=\"538\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot one another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\r\n\r\nwi','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-20','','','2012-12-22 08:31:16','2012-12-22 15:31:16','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(11831,1,'2012-12-22 08:39:12','2012-12-22 15:39:12','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her hair-sprayed head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <strong>Geocaching</strong> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\n\nwi','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-22','','','2012-12-22 08:39:12','2012-12-22 15:39:12','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(11832,1,'2012-12-22 08:41:01','2012-12-22 15:41:01','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her hair-sprayed head!\n\n&nbsp;\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-23','','','2012-12-22 08:41:01','2012-12-22 15:41:01','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(11833,1,'2012-12-22 08:42:29','2012-12-22 15:42:29','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her hair-sprayed head!\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?  Did you wish come true?  :-)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-24','','','2012-12-22 08:42:29','2012-12-22 15:42:29','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(11834,1,'2012-12-22 08:45:09','2012-12-22 15:45:09','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her hair-sprayed head!\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known about Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-25','','','2012-12-22 08:45:09','2012-12-22 15:45:09','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(11835,1,'2012-12-22 08:45:55','2012-12-22 15:45:55','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her hair-sprayed head!\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a lurker in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known that Car Friend lurked in the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-26','','','2012-12-22 08:45:55','2012-12-22 15:45:55','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(11836,1,'2012-12-22 08:46:48','2012-12-22 15:46:48','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her hair-sprayed head!\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a Peeping Tom in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known that Car Friend lurked in the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-27','','','2012-12-22 08:46:48','2012-12-22 15:46:48','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(11838,1,'2012-12-22 08:49:16','2012-12-22 15:49:16','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her pretty hair-sprayed head!\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we discover a Peeping Tom in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known that Car Friend lurked in the night.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-29','','','2012-12-22 08:49:16','2012-12-22 15:49:16','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(11837,1,'2012-12-22 08:47:20','2012-12-22 15:47:20','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her pretty hair-sprayed head!\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we have a Peeping Tom in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known that Car Friend lurked in the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-28','','','2012-12-22 08:47:20','2012-12-22 15:47:20','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(11839,1,'2012-12-22 08:50:24','2012-12-22 15:50:24','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Have a paint fight\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Build a treehouse\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her pretty little hair-sprayed head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we discover a Peeping Tom in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known that Car Friend lurked in the night.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-30','','','2012-12-22 08:50:24','2012-12-22 15:50:24','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(11840,1,'2012-12-22 08:50:40','2012-12-22 15:50:40','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her pretty little hair-sprayed head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we discover a Peeping Tom in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known that Car Friend lurked in the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-31','','','2012-12-22 08:50:40','2012-12-22 15:50:40','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(11841,1,'2012-12-22 08:50:57','2012-12-22 15:50:57','<a href=\"http://pinterest.com/pin/285204588872255461/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11809\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11809\" alt=\"285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/285204588872255461_B1ZkhZLG-300x168.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>My friend Dawn sent me a list of playdate ideas that were lifted from a Pinterest Bucket List.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe ideas were enticingly fun:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Get in a taxi and yell, \"Follow that car!\"  (I\'ve always wanted to do that!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Have a paint fight\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Build a treehouse\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n* Let go of a floating lantern.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe I\'ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a computer), but I had never heard of Floating Lanterns aka Sky Lanterns aka Wish Lanterns.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you know how to work The Google, then Pinterest Bucket Lists are your oyster.  I promptly ordered a set of 5 Wish Lanterns.  (For the record, I chose the eco-friendly ones.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11811\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11811\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11811\" alt=\"World&quot;s Most Precious Pooch Plays Vanna White with Wish Lanterns\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140034-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn arrived at my house for din din and a Wish Lantern Extravaganza.  We quickly watched a YouTube tutorial on how to work these thingamajigs and then set off for our adventure before we got rained out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat\'s right.  Rain in the desert.  It hadn\'t rained since . . . . September maybe? . . . . and then it rains on our Wish Lantern Parade. Humbug.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAlthough in retrospect, a wet desert is probably a good thing when playing with fire.  I have no desire to become a newsworthy Wish Lantern chick.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I drove out to the edge of the preserve in an effort to keep my neighbors\' homes out of harm\'s way.  We were alone save for a deserted car.  Probably a night hiker.  Doesn\'t he know that javelinas run amuck in these parts???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI volunteered Dawn to go first, as I tend to be a bit <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>accident prone</strong>.</a>  This was a wise choice, if you ask me.  Dawn is a tough mudder -- Literally.  She runs those races! -- and she nearly pulled a Michael Jackson on me by bringing that fire too close to her pretty little hair-sprayed head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/CGEsBivqyS8\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe mother of all coinkidinks!  Not only did we discover a Peeping Tom in the not-so-deserted car, but he just so happened to know a thing or two about Wish Lanterns!  Who woulda thunk it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not sure if we would have ever figured out how to cast those suckers had it not been for our young Car Friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPerhaps if we had read the directions (found by me 48 hours after our Wish Lantern Extravaganza), we would have never known that Car Friend lurked in the night.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11816\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11816\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11816\" alt=\"Read the Wish Lantern Directions first! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC160004-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur night would not have been the same without him.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFavorite line of the night (in case you couldn\'t make it out in the video):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> What are you doing in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Car Friend:</strong> </span> Watching a TV show.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDawn and I shoot each another the \"What the?!\" look.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><strong>Me:</strong> </span> Do you have a girl in there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Car Friend:</span>  </strong>I wish!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, young man.  This was a night for wishing!  I hope your dream comes true!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTime for Ms. Accident Prone to let go of her floating lantern and two accompanying wishes.  (You may as well wish big or go home, right?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKSgEwqXZK4\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  I experienced two firsts within one week:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/19/playdate-48-geocache-virgins-no-longer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Geocaching</strong></a> and Wish Lanterns!  (And a third first is coming for Playdate #50.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMay all of your wishes come true in 2013.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever let go of a wish lantern?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #49:  Wish Lanterns','','inherit','open','open','','11805-revision-32','','','2012-12-22 08:50:57','2012-12-22 15:50:57','',11805,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/11805-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(11843,1,'2012-12-25 17:37:58','2012-12-26 00:37:58','Does anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHumbug.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another day with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\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;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision','','','2012-12-25 17:37:58','2012-12-26 00:37:58','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/25/11842-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(11845,1,'2012-12-26 09:00:23','2012-12-26 16:00:23','','329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o','','inherit','open','open','','329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o','','','2012-12-26 09:00:23','2012-12-26 16:00:23','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11849,1,'2012-12-27 09:57:01','2012-12-27 16:57:01','','Hail to the Target dollar aisle! ','Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! ','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-804','','','2012-12-27 09:57:01','2012-12-27 16:57:01','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11848,1,'2012-12-27 09:55:09','2012-12-27 16:55:09','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11845\" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Does anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 or so gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11847\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11847\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11847\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11847\" alt=\"Hail to the Target dollar aisles! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Hail to the Target dollar aisles![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\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&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-2','','','2012-12-27 09:55:09','2012-12-27 16:55:09','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(11850,1,'2012-12-27 10:02:16','2012-12-27 17:02:16','','I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.','I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-805','','','2012-12-27 10:02:16','2012-12-27 17:02:16','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11851,1,'2012-12-27 10:07:45','2012-12-27 17:07:45','','Eye Mask Tag','For the Eye Mask','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-806','','','2012-12-27 10:07:45','2012-12-27 17:07:45','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11852,1,'2012-12-27 10:10:34','2012-12-27 17:10:34','','Tag for the Snowman Glow Wand','For the Snowman Glow Wand','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-807','','','2012-12-27 10:10:34','2012-12-27 17:10:34','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11853,1,'2012-12-27 10:12:12','2012-12-27 17:12:12','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11845\" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Does anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 or so gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags for our Hanukkah and Kwa\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&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-3','','','2012-12-27 10:12:12','2012-12-27 17:12:12','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(11855,1,'2012-12-27 10:13:12','2012-12-27 17:13:12','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11845\" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Does anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 or so gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags for our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\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&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-5','','','2012-12-27 10:13:12','2012-12-27 17:13:12','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(11854,1,'2012-12-27 10:12:44','2012-12-27 17:12:44','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11845\" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Does anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 or so gifts to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know what you\'re thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags for our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\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&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-4','','','2012-12-27 10:12:44','2012-12-27 17:12:44','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(11856,1,'2012-12-27 10:16:38','2012-12-27 17:16:38','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\n\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 or so gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!  </span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags for our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\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&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-6','','','2012-12-27 10:16:38','2012-12-27 17:16:38','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(11857,1,'2012-12-27 10:16:41','2012-12-27 17:16:41','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\r\n\r\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 or so gifts to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!  </span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know what you\'re thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags for our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\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&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-7','','','2012-12-27 10:16:41','2012-12-27 17:16:41','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(11858,1,'2012-12-27 12:24:53','2012-12-27 19:24:53','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\n\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!  </span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.  It happens so infrw\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&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;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-8','','','2012-12-27 12:24:53','2012-12-27 19:24:53','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(11859,1,'2012-12-27 16:54:40','2012-12-27 23:54:40','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\n\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>, and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since Dawn hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it <strong>here</strong>.  Who\'s in?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\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<strong> </strong>\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&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;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-9','','','2012-12-27 16:54:40','2012-12-27 23:54:40','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(11863,1,'2012-12-27 17:08:50','2012-12-28 00:08:50','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\n\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>, and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since Dawn hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong>)\n\n&nbsp;\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it <strong>here</strong>.  Who\'s in?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about Improv AZ, take a lookie loo over <strong>here.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about the origins\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-13','','','2012-12-27 17:08:50','2012-12-28 00:08:50','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(11860,1,'2012-12-27 16:55:10','2012-12-27 23:55:10','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\r\n\r\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know what you\'re thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Humbug.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>, and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since Dawn hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it <strong>here</strong>.  Who\'s in?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\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<strong> </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&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&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-10','','','2012-12-27 16:55:10','2012-12-27 23:55:10','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(11861,1,'2012-12-27 17:05:34','2012-12-28 00:05:34','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\r\n\r\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know what you\'re thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Humbug.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>, and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since Dawn hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it <strong>here</strong>.  Who\'s in?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\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<strong> </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&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&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-11','','','2012-12-27 17:05:34','2012-12-28 00:05:34','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(11862,1,'2012-12-27 17:05:43','2012-12-28 00:05:43','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\r\n\r\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know what you\'re thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Humbug.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>, and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since Dawn hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it <strong>here</strong>.  Who\'s in?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\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<strong> </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&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&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-12','','','2012-12-27 17:05:43','2012-12-28 00:05:43','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(11864,1,'2012-12-27 17:11:37','2012-12-28 00:11:37','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\n\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> ho!  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>, and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since Dawn hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong>)\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it <strong>here</strong>.  Who\'s in?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about Improv AZ, take a lookie loo over <strong>here.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about the origins of Gifts for Strangers (a tradition that came to us all the way from The Great White North), visit <strong>here.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-14','','','2012-12-27 17:11:37','2012-12-28 00:11:37','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(11865,1,'2012-12-27 17:12:19','2012-12-28 00:12:19','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\r\n\r\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know what you\'re thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>, and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since Dawn hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong>)\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it <strong>here</strong>.  Who\'s in?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read more about Improv AZ, take a lookie loo over <strong>here.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read more about the origins of Gifts for Strangers (a tradition that came to us all the way from The Great White North), visit <strong>here.</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;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-15','','','2012-12-27 17:12:19','2012-12-28 00:12:19','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(11866,1,'2012-12-27 19:17:56','2012-12-28 02:17:56','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\n\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Humbug.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>, and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since Dawn hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ho, ho, ho!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong>)\n\n&nbsp;\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it <strong>here</strong>.  Who\'s in?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\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<strong> </strong>\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&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;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-16','','','2012-12-27 19:17:56','2012-12-28 02:17:56','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(11867,1,'2012-12-27 19:20:06','2012-12-28 02:20:06','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\r\n\r\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  <strong>I can be weird sometimes.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know what you\'re thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise and then spiraling:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWet stuff.  Out of the sky.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>, and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since Dawn hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong>)\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it <strong>here</strong>.  Who\'s in?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read more about Improv AZ, take a lookie loo over <strong>here.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read more about the origins of Gifts for Strangers (a tradition that came to us all the way from The Great White North), visit <strong>here.</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;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-17','','','2012-12-27 19:20:06','2012-12-28 02:20:06','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(11868,1,'2012-12-27 19:28:18','2012-12-28 02:28:18','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\n\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  I must disappear into a time vacuum at times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise into a spiral:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Wet stuff.  Out of the sky.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/playdate-49-wish-lanterns/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>,</a> and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since the woman hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <a href=\"http://www.cartelcoffeelab.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong></a>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/events/286537474797392/?utm_source=Improv+Participants&amp;utm_campaign=42af96b4cc-ESHB_Announcement10_26_2012&amp;utm_medium=email\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>here</strong>.</a>  Who\'s in?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about Improv AZ, take a lookie loo over <a href=\"http://improvaz.com/2012/12/gifts-for-strangers-handed-out-some-holiday-cheer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about the origins of Gifts for Strangers (a tradition that came to us all the way from The Great White North), visit <strong>here.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-18','','','2012-12-27 19:28:18','2012-12-28 02:28:18','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(11869,1,'2012-12-27 19:29:18','2012-12-28 02:29:18','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\n\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  I must disappear into a time vacuum at times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise into a spiral:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Wet stuff.  Out of the sky.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/playdate-49-wish-lanterns/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>,</a> and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since the woman hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <a href=\"http://www.cartelcoffeelab.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong></a>)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/events/286537474797392/?utm_source=Improv+Participants&amp;utm_campaign=42af96b4cc-ESHB_Announcement10_26_2012&amp;utm_medium=email\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>here</strong>.</a>  Who\'s in?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about Improv AZ, take a lookie loo over <a href=\"http://improvaz.com/2012/12/gifts-for-strangers-handed-out-some-holiday-cheer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about the origins of Gifts for Strangers (a tradition that came to via The Great White North), visit <a href=\"http://giftsforstrangers.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-19','','','2012-12-27 19:29:18','2012-12-28 02:29:18','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(11874,1,'2012-12-27 19:35:36','2012-12-28 02:35:36','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\n\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI decided to continue the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post. Yay!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010. Sometimes I wonder if I disappear into a time vacuum.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know what you\'re thinking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise into a spiral:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Wet stuff.  Out of the sky.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/playdate-49-wish-lanterns/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>,</a> and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since the woman hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <a href=\"http://www.cartelcoffeelab.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong></a>)\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/events/286537474797392/?utm_source=Improv+Participants&amp;utm_campaign=42af96b4cc-ESHB_Announcement10_26_2012&amp;utm_medium=email\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>here</strong>.</a>  Who\'s in?  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about Improv AZ, take a lookie loo over <a href=\"http://improvaz.com/2012/12/gifts-for-strangers-handed-out-some-holiday-cheer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo read more about the origins of Gifts for Strangers (a tradition that came to via The Great White North), visit <a href=\"http://giftsforstrangers.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-24','','','2012-12-27 19:35:36','2012-12-28 02:35:36','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(11870,1,'2012-12-27 19:29:37','2012-12-28 02:29:37','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\r\n\r\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  I must disappear into a time vacuum at times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know what you\'re thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise into a spiral:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Wet stuff.  Out of the sky.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/playdate-49-wish-lanterns/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>,</a> and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since the woman hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <a href=\"http://www.cartelcoffeelab.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong></a>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/events/286537474797392/?utm_source=Improv+Participants&amp;utm_campaign=42af96b4cc-ESHB_Announcement10_26_2012&amp;utm_medium=email\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>here</strong>.</a>  Who\'s in?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read more about Improv AZ, take a lookie loo over <a href=\"http://improvaz.com/2012/12/gifts-for-strangers-handed-out-some-holiday-cheer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read more about the origins of Gifts for Strangers (a tradition that came to via The Great White North), visit <a href=\"http://giftsforstrangers.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-20','','','2012-12-27 19:29:37','2012-12-28 02:29:37','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(11871,1,'2012-12-27 19:30:36','2012-12-28 02:30:36','[caption id=\"attachment_11845\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11845\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845\" title=\"Phoenix Improv AZ Gifts for Strangers \" alt=\"329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/329113_10152366596920644_1935195090_o-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Our skeleton flash mob crew. Because Phoenicians are afraid of that rare wet stuff that falls out of the sky.[/caption]\r\n\r\nDoes anyone else experience the post-Christmas blues?  After a month of buildup, the holiday cheer is over in a day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided to continue with the festivities for yet another few days with today\'s Christmasy post.  Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlaydate #50 was My First Flash Mob Ever.  I can\'t believe it\'s taken me this long to join one considering my penchant for all things goofy AND a suggestion from a blog reader circa 2010.  I must disappear into a time vacuum at times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, the waiting paid off because My First Flash Mob Ever was a flash mob with heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur assignment:  To meet at a light rail station in downtown Phoenix and distribute 10 gifts to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know what you\'re thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But . . . . but . . . . isn\'t that sort of <em>expensive</em>, Michelle?\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot if you hit the Target $1 section!  I had never waltzed down those $1 aisles before, and it was a jolly good time.  Look at the loot I found for 10 buckaroos plus tax!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11849\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11849\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11849\"><img class=\" wp-image-11849 \" alt=\"Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle! \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC140029-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> Hail to the Target Dollar Aisle![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPictured from bottom left and going clockwise into a spiral:  Wine bottle tags, whoopee cushion (because what boy or boy at heart doesn\'t want a whoopee cushion?), snowman glow wand, eye mask, gingerbread house gel clings, sparkly sugar plum body lotion, electronics duster, Kahlua coffee, old-fashioned ribbon candies, and beer coasters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext came the fun of wrapping all of these goodies.  Which actually isn\'t all that fun for me.  I\'m one of those people whose wrapping job looks like the work of 4 year-old.  For this reason, I wisely resort to bag stuffing.  I put on some Christmas music and stuffed away!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11850\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11850\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11850\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11850\" alt=\"I am not a wrapper.  I am a bagger.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150035-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> I am not a wrapper. I am a bagger.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe real hoot for me involved labeling the tags.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11851\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11851\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11851\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11851\" alt=\"For the Eye Mask\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150040-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Eye Mask[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI wound up giving away the eye mask to a mother of two.  Bless her heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11852\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11852\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11852\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11852\" alt=\"For the Snowman Glow Wand\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC150042-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> For the Snowman Glow Wand[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI made a conscious effort to be politically correct on the tags in respect to our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa peeps.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter all this Flash Mob preparation, the morning of the big day arrived with . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Wet stuff.  Out of the sky.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis happens so infrequently that Phoenicians freak out and hide inside their dry abodes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large; color: #333333;\"><strong>Humbug.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/22/playdate-49-wish-lanterns/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>But I didn\'t let Mother Nature rain on the previous evening\'s Wish Lantern Parade</strong>,</a> and I certainly wasn\'t going to let it keep me from a rain or shine Flash Mob either!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLuckily, Dawn was my playdate friend du jour, and since the woman hails from North Dakota where there is real winter WEATHER, she was game for the rain as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ho,</span> <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ho!</span>  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs both Fate and Mother Nature would have it that afternoon, the skies cleared and the angels sang upon our skeleton crew flash mob spreading holiday cheer to complete strangers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k.  So I\'m joking about the angels singing part.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut the skies really did clear and the sun came out for our entire 30 minutes of flash mobbing.  Only to rain again once we are all snug inside Starbucks sipping cocoas and lattes.  (Note that for whatever bizarre reason, all indie coffeehouses in the area were closed on a Saturday afternoon.  <a href=\"http://www.cartelcoffeelab.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Cartel dudes, what up with that?</strong></a>)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3PnoHrAvQA\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>(sung to the tune of \"Jingle Bells\")</em>  Oh, what fun it was to play in a flashing mob that day!  Hey!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWell, not literally a <em>flashing</em> mob.  You know what I mean.  A girl\'s gotta to what a girl\'s gotta do to make the jingle work.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe<em> flashing</em> mob takes place on January 16th.  You can read all about it<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/events/286537474797392/?utm_source=Improv+Participants&amp;utm_campaign=42af96b4cc-ESHB_Announcement10_26_2012&amp;utm_medium=email\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>here</strong>.</a>  Who\'s in?  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever participated in a flash mob?  Please share your experience in the comments section below.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever yearned to join a flash mob?  Google \"flash mob\" and \"<em>your city\'s name</em>\" and see what comes up!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read more about Improv AZ, take a lookie loo over <a href=\"http://improvaz.com/2012/12/gifts-for-strangers-handed-out-some-holiday-cheer/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo read more about the origins of Gifts for Strangers (a tradition that came to via The Great White North), visit <a href=\"http://giftsforstrangers.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #50:  Gifts for Strangers','','inherit','open','open','','11842-revision-21','','','2012-12-27 19:30:36','2012-12-28 02:30:36','',11842,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/27/11842-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),