What a fabulous day!
First, my mom and dad called to wish me a happy birthday and we caught up on all the family gossip of the last week.
Then I won a beautiful beaded dress on eBay for next to nothing (which I hope will fit as I've bought several that haven't), perfect for a formal night (anyone know where I might find a place to wear it?).
Later I went to lunch and shopping with a dear friend from my teaching days, who I haven't been able to connect up with for months, and her daughter (who will be able to use some of the aforementioned non-fitting dresses for homecoming, prom, etc). We had a great time and found some really cute shoes to go with the beaded dress.
After that we went to Sam's to pick up the lobster tails and while we were there, some lovely steaks called out to me, so we're now having surf-and-turf for dinner. I also found a fabulous torte (fudge cake, marscapone cheesecake, & chocolate mousse) that just begged to be my birthday cake, and spared me the trouble of baking my own. There were also some yummy little chocolate
covered frozen banana slices that jumped into my cart, and my friend and I had to sample them on the way back to her house (her daughter bailed on us after lunch) to make sure they weren't spoiled or anything.
Dennis gave me a beautiful orchid (I told him about the clear pot thing, Claire), and at the moment we are sitting around drinking champagne (yes, actual champagne, from France) after eating a delicious appetizer of portabello mushroom caps stuffed with crab and shrimp that he picked up on his way home from work. We're about to fire up the grill to cook the steak and lobster. The dogs are all cuddling up with us on the couch. Does it get any better than this?
To paraphrase (sort of) Sam in "Casablanca," "This champagne sure takes the sting out of turning 50."