Days of Crowns and Chocolate

Things are looking rosy.

Gift #1 Morning yoga class at South Mountain Yoga in South Orange, a studio I've never been to before. Nicky and Maria were there, too. I really liked the music and the teacher's wise messages about how we have to decide we want something and then work hard to get it.

Gift #2 Got my hair colored and found out there's a 10 percent birthday discount. Yay.

Gift #3 Patsy and my boot camp friends hoodwinked me, surprising me with a birthday lunch at Toast in Montclair. I really can't put into words what these women [and the two men who signed the card but couldn't make it] mean to me. They inspire me, they motivate me, they give me spirit and strength. They're fast, fit, smart, funny, caring, kind. I had a yummy sandwich, we had modest slices of chocolate cheesecake, and they gave me a little gold jeweled tiara to wear and diva wand to wave.

Gift #4 Figgy made my birthday cake. H. and I sampled the crumbs; very good.

Gift #5 H. asked me if I wanted to do something tomorrow. Yes, for my 50th birthday, I would love to have dinner at Union Square Cafe in NYC! I've been there twice, once for lunch with Donna and Susan, my editors at Good Housekeeping, and once for dinner with H. I have never forgotten those wonderful meals, the last about 10 years ago. Since then, I've just occasionally passed the place with longing. So H. booked a table for 5:30; Figgy is coming, too. Check www.unionsquarecafe.com.

Gift #6 Combo: visit with Dad, watching "Royal Pains" on the couch next to Figgy, talking to Sis/Don, Moey and Anne.

I have to go to bed now. Rising at 4:30 A.M. for boot camp, because an appointment conflicts with the 9:30 class.

Good night.