1. Celebrating a Birthmonth rather than a Birthday– because it’s never the wrong time to celebrate your life!

2. Finding yourself the recipient of a successfully kept surprise- YES!!

3. The flawless combination created by Dinner Theaters! Fancy food with impeccable service, outrageously entertaining live show with music, dancing, and audience participation, and dessert all in one spot.  Now that’s a night out.

4. Servers in slick/fun uniforms that make busting their humps look easy and fun- that’s an art for sure!  They had their timing down to the second.  Each was in all black, save the tie that each choose according to their personality- and what personalities they had!  You could tell a lot about a person by what tie they choose to wear against all black :)

5. Getting all dolled-up to go out without knowing where you’re going :)

6. When recognition gradually sneaks/settles in and then suddenly, it dawns on you what the surprise could be, but you’re not sure, and when you realize that it must be, you still don’t fully comprehend/believe it for a minute- “Wait!  What?!  No!  Really!?  What!?!  Really!!?”

7. Stuffed Grilled Portobello Mushroom- Marinated Portobello Layered with Cannellini Beans, Fresh Mozzarella, and Oven Roasted Peperonata (My tastebuds were like whoa)

8. Fresno’s “Tower District”: pedestrian-friendly part of the city where character is king. (If you ever find yourself in Fresno, CA with time to play, get yourself to this area and find Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater!)

9. Impossibly coordinated moves, glittery, colorful, over-the-top dramatic costumes, mind-blowing voices, comedic timing, and fantastic song list comprising the performance (BEEHIVE the Musical!)

10. And “last” only for impact:  My amazingly thoughtful partner, for paying attention the (total of 2) times that I mentioned offhandedly that I would love to see what the dinner theater was like, and for making my wish come true in a classy and loving way.  Thank you!!

1. Small favors that make a big difference

2. Remembering to breath

3. Libraries

4. Civil conversations

5. Someone who looks out for you

6. Kindred spirits

7. Naps

8. Staying on top of work

9. Time-outs (the nice kind that you take for yourself)

10. Carnelian

1. Finally hearing from Mom

2. Giant, teal/turquoise, crackle-glazed planters

3. The chick-o-stick blended drink they make at my favorite local coffee shop

4. Using time to read

5. Finding the perfect sunny butter yellow teapot to use for loose leaf

6. The many talents and faces of hot tea- calming and soothing, invigorating and refreshing, relaxing, satiating, enlivening, comforting, stimulating, elevating, warming, settling…

7. Toasty hands when the air is frigid

8. Online shopping with free 2-day shipping

9. Giving compliments like they’re goin’ outta style

10. Luis Miguel’s voice- wow.

1. Finding a sweet note of encouragement waiting for you at the end of a long day

2. The person who wrote said note

3. When something loses its “scary”

4. Thank you God, that I have friends that “get” me (more than one, even!)

5. Phone conversations with those friends

6. Emails with those friends

7. Hugs from those friends

8. Being surprised by your own interests

9. The way an overcast day makes you treasure the sunshine

10. How your feet feel when you kick your shoes off in the evening

1. When you feel you’re dragging behind the race, but people cheer you on

2. Taking one thing at a time, one moment at a time

3. Manicured toenails and fingernails

4. Bubbly spa baths that smell like a paradise garden

5. Sweating your prayers (thanks Gabrielle Roth)

6. Trusting it, buckling in and holding on tight and trusting it

7. Satisfaction of returning emails

8. Not taking things too seriously even when they feel imminent and important

9. Kefir with maple syrup swirled in

10. Places to turn to- how very lucky I am

1. Keeping gratitude as your vanguard

2. Learning!

3. Recognizing faces in a sea of people

4. Thinking ahead, being prepared, being okay with changing plans or direction

5. Someone to tell it all to on your lunch break

6. Observing different teaching styles- everyone has quirks

7. Trusting in your own capabilities

8. Taking care of business now so you’re not overwhelmed with it later

9. Great customer service

10. A loving and supportive partner

1. Playlist that I titled “Empower”

2. A stranger who grabs the door for you when your hands are full (or anytime!)

3. Way you feel after you finally got around to doing that thing that you put off and put off and put off and…

4. Experi-fermentation (Go healthy bacteria! Do yo thang!)

5. Having any recipe imaginable at your fingertips via the internet

6. Boar-bristle hairbrushes and argan oil- Shinetastic!

7. True artisans

8. Noticing a spring in your own step (Hey Girl!)

9. Watching Gene Kelly do anything makes my day

10. Rich coconut body butter transforming chapped into luscious

1. The healthy and mild intimidation of committing to a challenge which you are positively capable of, but which will also take some labor (the intimidating factor makes you pay attention and take the undertaking seriously!)

2. Velvet opulence of an avocado ripened to perfection

3. Actually having a nail file when you need one

4. Finding dusty crusty ideas on the shelf of your mind and either putting them to work, or sending them packing

5. Digging deep to discover a well of strength

6. Hand weights with grippy coating and the most practical design for your personal style

7. Tracking progress

8. Inspiration- you don’t always notice its absence, but when it sparks… WOW!

9. Lemon water- like washing your insides with soap (only tastier :)

10. Homemade oatgurt (is there really any other kind? -lol)

1. Adventure and satisfaction of navigating your way to a new place without using GPS

2. The magic and comfort of healing hands, kneading and gliding and listening

3. Being seen and heard

4. When peace undulates through and around you, swirling and rippling and smoothing the rough spots

5. The way everything shifts to calm when entering sacred space

6. Colors- glowing and dancing and pulsing and living inside and around us

7. Landscape of dreams and the rich tapestry they weave in your quiet night

8. Feet solid on the earth- walking soft, going everywhere, knowing what you need to do and taking you always, when you let them

9. Reaching and stretching, coaxing an inch.  Unfolding, unrolling, falling open, being ready

10. Stirring the flavors of thoughts together, cooking up an experience.  What does it need? What should I add?  A little of this, a little of that.  What am I making?  Choose a recipe that makes me glad

1. Waking up with vision and vigor

2. A good sage purge, smokey and redeeming- a “reset” button for your home and your soul

3. Windows that open wide and beckoning, streaming light and nature’s breath to all the places that you needed it so much

4. Having a rhythm infection invade your person and refuse to leave until you’re sweating

5. Electric smiles beaming and stretching unhindered

6. Noticing limitations- “Oh hello, now I see you.  Thank you, you may be dismissed.”

7. Fresh goat cheese oozing

8. Writing yourself free

9. Unearthing your roots to remember how much power you have

10. The sudden and glorious reappearance of lists by Kylia!  Thank you.