Celebration #50: The End to a Wonderful Year of Celebration

Birthday Bliss, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I put the time for this post at the actual time I was born: 4:41 p.m. As the clock turned, I was doing two things I adore: talking with deep, wise, and wonderful women while drinking a pot of tea!

It doesn't get any better than this.

This is my final post to the "Fifty Celebrations to Fifty" blog. It was a wonderful year of joy and laughter with family and friends. I am thankful to God for His wonderful gifts!

See below for a reverse chronological look at my big day!

10:08 p.m. A Walk with a Lifelong Friend

10:08 A Walk with a Lifelong Friend, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

What a way to end my special day: Teala brought me dinner and we had a late night walk in the hot, sultry night with Tucker! Teala and I are like "Mutt and Jeff" with a 14 inch difference in our statures but hearts beating very close together!

3:25 p.m. Tea with Dear Friends

3:25 Tea with Dear Friends, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Friends I have known as far back as 1978 came and blessed me with their love and friendship.

11:40 a.m. Lifting Weights

11:40 Lifting Weights, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

My dream has always been to be "fit at fifty." I had to document myself lifting 140 lbs on this apparatus.

11:30 a.m. Reading on the Elliptical

11:30 Reading on the Elliptical, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Doing something I love [reading] with something that I am not inclined to do [exercise] makes it so much more enjoyable. Being fifty is about being self-disciplined!

9:27 a.m. Birthday Backyard Devotional Time

9:27 Birthday Backyard Devotional Time, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Another goal of my life has been to establish a lifelong habit of devotion, and it has been the joy of my life to commune with God on a regular basis all these years! I love my morning cuppa' with my Lord!

7:32 a.m. Birthday Breakfast with George at the Broken Yoke

7:32 Birthday Breakfast Broken Yoke, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Another one of my favorite things is to go out for breakfast with those I love, especially the love of my life, soulmate, and best friend, George! (It is nice to have a cuppa' Chai to go along with these two other pleasurable things.)

6:53 a.m. Reading Birthday Greetings on Facebook

6:53 Reading Birthday Greetings on Facebook, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

The internet can be a vehicle for good! Facebook has connected me with dear, lifelong friends. I loved waking up to birthday greetings from my friends throughout he different eras of my 50 years. Blessings to all of you!!!!

Celebration #49: Baked Brie and Hummus

Celebrating with Baked Brie and Hummus, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate is to have a casual evening with George watching a good PBS mini-series and eating finger foods like baked brie and hummus. Life's simple pleasures shared with those you love are the best!

Celebration #48: Sisters Since the 70's

Celebration #48: Sisters Since the 70's, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

We stayed in the Agatha Christie Room of the Sylvia Beach Hotel. I have always wanted to stay there. So, I booked this room in January, and we got it on our calendars. It was a very special time. This was taken on Debbie's actual 50th birthday. Happy Birthday lifelong friend!

Celebration #47: Dinner with Patty and Debbie

Celebration #47: Dinner with Patty and Debbie, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

This is the first night of our stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, OR. We planned this months in advance, and it was perfect. We went to dinner at the Table of Contents Restaurant downstairs. It was lovely.