good times: photos

The beginning

I knew there would be a party. I'd said "no please," but then people asked and asked and I realized a going away party to mark my departure wasn't just "about me." It was a way for us all to connect.

I just didn't realize how crazy they'd go. Should have, but I didn't...

At "the appointed time," someone came to my third-floor office to "collect me." Starting down the hall at Leslie's office, where non-GTCC friend, Keith, had even stopped by to surprise me, we walked out the door and followed all those fancy, little paper flip flops that had been individually designed for me, to guide my way. Down the hall, around the corner...they were even in the elevator! Then out the elevator door on the first floor and on the floor continuing my path to Party Central. We collected the little shoes, meant to mark my preferred footwear once I was self-employed, into the party itself... Wow.

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Sometimes my buddy, Jerry, reminds me of my Daddy. It's a good thing. The best sport, he was one of the few guys who also played along and wore red that day.

Covering all the bases

Leslie, one of the planners of my fabulous festivity, looks over the table to make sure everything is out and placed as it should be...

Another party! Yay!!!

Melissa, Betty, Gerald and Wes are always a great addition to a GTCC Party. No wonder it was so hard to finally decide to leave!

Mingling

Bunches of colleagues came out. Check out all the red in the room!

Bye to Cindy

While the mingling continues, I have the opportunity to say a few one-on-one goodbyes.

My neighbor Cheryl, and Cindy

Cheryl saved my butt a whole lot of the time when I didn't know "how can I do this in Photoshop?" Such a hard worker, my neighbor down the hall, but she took the time off to come play at my party, too. And take a bunch of pictures...

Good time to just chat

Everyone works so hard. A party is always such a good time to just sit and chat with people in other departments you don't get to see very often. Pat, Matilda, Wanda and Tanya got that chance at my party.

Keith keeps 'em laughing

I can only imagine what Keith was tellin' everybody. I miss her constant smile and friendly personality. Something I always counted on. It's clear others agree, too.

Sharon reads the Top Ten List

Our parties were known for the Top Ten Lists. Here, Sharon gears up to finally get to my Emotional Girl just a little with the Top Ten List of Reasons I shoudn't leave.

Not gonna' cry

The list is good. The perfect blending of humor and sappy stuff. But they can't make me cry.

Still reading the list

It's a good list. Still not gonna' make me cry.

Made me cry

This picture might be slightly out of place. I think the tears came after Stephanie. Maybe it was that list, but I think it was when "my boss" got all sappy on me.

Stephanie trying to embarrass me

She said all kinds of stuff that day. Hysterical, mildly-embarrassing admissions, and some incredibly kind things. Here's my reaction to some of the more embarrassing bits.

Networking too

Of course you can talk about your career's evolution at your going away party, too. Sure, call me...we can talk about a website for your band!

Lee Kinard stops in, too

What a great opportunity to have worked with Lee Kinard while I was at GTCC. We had some of our best talks my last few weeks at the school. He stopped by to wish me well before I left. And Lee's always good for a photo opportunity. I used to be the one behind the camera for that smile...

Last minute details

Jackie and I always meant to sit down for some big planning sessions for her website. Usually, it was more easy to just chat in the halls, ladies room, cafeteria, before and after meetings...and parties, too! So we covered some "next step" suggestions before I snuck away.

Margot's birthday

It wasn't very kind of me to leave on Margot's birthday. But I did check with her before I put in my notice. It's a big deal, a birthday, y'know? And I knew that would put a pall over that birthday. What a selfless gift...she had a good time, though. What a party planner!

You have no idea

No doubt she was telling something scandalous, too. Oh the stories we shared!

Plotting her revenge

Lizzy seems thrilled to think she might get my office, but it's clear Stephanie is not looking forward to having to find my replacement. I wondered, too, if she wasn't plotting a bit of revenge... I'm just giddy. Thinking, no doubt, about not having to worry about actually being on time tomorrow...

Hamming it up

'Cause what's a party without a little unadulterated goofing off?

And more

Gotta' keep it light sometimes.

Okay, we can pose too

Enough goofing off. We need something for our memory albums too. Say Cheese, ladies!

Most of The Family

By the time I left, most people still didn't know who was in Marketing and who was in the Foundation. And who can blame 'em? It's one big happy family... Most of us were here for the end of the party; the picture would have only been better if Leslie hadn't had to leave early...

These were the core of my GTCC Family. Sisters, really...

Chocolate AND girls!!!

Ryan's pretty easy...need some help on your computer? Well, have some chocolate handy! But kisses at a party with chocolate, too??? Oh yea!

My red trashcan

Yup! It's a red trashcan. And it's all mine. Some of my female colleagues thought it was just strange. But I almost cried when Jim bought me a new red trashcan. Do you know how HANDY something like that will be???