My going away soiree.....

Actually that should be titled GIA and My going away soiree. First of all let me say that I have, without a doubt some of the MOST fabulous girlfriends a person could ever asked for. Stacy, Jill and Renee conspired to threw an absolutely beautiful, amazing and DELISH breakfast event to say goodbye to Gia and I before we headed to Beaufort, SC and Ft Bragg, NC.

The theme for the brunch was Black and White though at the time..G and I didn't know why. Turns out our blogging, crafty GF's were making us Photo Books of our time together and thought it would be a perfect final chapter in Black and White!

Here's Stacy and Jilly prepping for the brunch. We had Baked French Toast, Sausage Pinwheels, Ham & Cheese Casserole, Quiche, Fruit Salad, Creme Puffs, Chocolate Cake, and a delish Boston Creme Dessert that Karen brought over. Of course... there were Mimosa's, Wine, Sweet Tea, Water and Coffee.

 Stacy and Jill pinning G and I! ;)!

Why do they have to make these so hard to pin? 

The Guests of Honor with their corsages....

Kissy-kissy!

From L to R: Jennie, Heidi and Cathy partaking of the yummy goodness!

Stacy, Erin and G all digging in.

The whole gang (except for me because I was taking the picture)!

Baby George (so cute!), StacEy and Erin

Gia with StacEy and Georgie...

Jennie just loves it when people invade her personal space. So Gia does it whenever she can!

Karen and her GORGEOUS flower she made, complete with vintage brooch. You can find her designs for sale here: The Bead Babe.

Whatever someone was saying must of been very interesting!

Two of my favorite girls!

G, Me and Stacy.... What was so funny about this picture is that we were all standing around talking and as soon as Jill grabbed the camera, she didn't have to say a word, we just turned around and posed!

My BFFF......<3

Jill and Me....

Hanging around...eating....chatting...what we do best.

Gia loves Stacy's Baked French Toast so much she couldn't hardly wait to dig in!!!

JB.....

KeKe.....

Cathy....

Heidi.....

Amber.....

Amy......

Jilly.....

Trouble makers: Heidi, Jennie and Stacy

Curl Sisters: Renee and G. When you put them together, you just don't know where one curl starts and the other ends.

Gia, invading Jennie's space again. (This time, I think she likes it though!)

Gia and Stacy....

Gia and Karen.....

Jilly and me......

Gia and Jilly.....

Jill, Gia and Me......

The Fab Five!

And finally, a few group shots of us all.....

Blowing kisses.....

Striking our 'Carol' pose..... 

('Carol' is our code word for the type of wife who wears her gloves and pearls everyday. Who, whenever she sees or hears anything inappropriate says, "Oh my!" "Well, I never!")

After everyone had left, Gia had a little surprise of her own.  She presented Jill, Stacy, Renee and me with a little white box.  Inside was a "C" magnet that she had decoupaged herself and put pearls on!  Now we all have our very own "C for Carol" magnet to remember Gia by.  Renee and Jill got "it" immediately.  It took Stacy and me a few seconds but whenwe did, we ALL had a good laugh.  Thanks G!

Military life is hard. You constantly have to put yourself out there to make new friends and when you find those friends, you become such good friends because you know that you all only have so much time together. I have been BLESSED to have these women in my life. In a few months, the group picture above will be cut down by about half. Most of them will be moving on to different chapters in their lives. These friendships are bittersweet but for the most part life long. 

My virtual Memory Book of my time at Camp Lejeune isn't full but overflowing....and many thanks to the people who made it such a wonderful ride.

Stacy~Saying that I am blessed to have you in my life is a complete understatement. You know how I feel about you but just in case you forgot...I absolutely love you. Thank you for the most wonderful friendship and a beautiful celebration of friendship.

Jilly~How do I say thank you? I love ya Jilly Bean....it has been a wonderful ride and I look forward to where our friendship goes. Thank you for putting SO much of yourself into not only this celebration but into our friendship. MUAH! Thanks also for making this post easy on me by doing all the work in your blog ;)!

Renee~Oh shortstack.....thank you,thank you, thank you. My favorite fun size girl....you will be missed way out in the great North West. Be safe and watch out for Vampires and Bigfoot (he will damn crush you!). MUAH!

Keke, JB, Heidi, StacEy, Kristy (even though you couldn't be there) and the rest of the girls~To say I will miss you doesn't even come close. Thank you SO much for not only sharing this wonderful day but for the gift of your friendship. I love y'all! 

~*~*~So I posted this and WAS so proud of getting it done....and I FORGOT Gia! Not is as she is so forgettable but in the whole we were partners this day saying goodbyes to our Lovies!

Gia~You gnome stealing, swassy & stinky Hooker. I love you..period. I am SO thankful that we got to be SO close...literally. Life is SO much more fun with you in it!