In 2010 I ... bid another friend adieu

Unfortunately, Carissa's pending departure has been a long time coming. As a great friend and regular mention on WLHitD, C is a neighbor, friend, Books & Bars attendee, bowling league teammate ... the list goes on and on. So this weekend began what will likely be similar to George's weeks-long send off, starting with a lovely afternoon soiree at Jennie & Eli's. Nothing says "We'll miss you" like beverages, lawn games and cake:

Eric butchering/graffiti editing C's cake

Shockingly, I like C enough to have even had thoughts of attempting to bake a cake myself. I printed a recipe off the interwebz and everything. Then I realized I liked her enough to buy a cake and save her and others the torture of choking down my "baking."

The party was enhanced by the uncanny matching abilities that J & E's daughter Violet, Patty and myself managed to unknowingly pull off. Instantly a brief, Sears portrait studio style shoot was born:

Me, P & V - and yes, we're together. Isn't it obvious?

Nothing says family like subtle softening effects with a healthy dose of pastels.

[Note: This whole "shoot" brought with it horrendous flashbacks of a darker time when my mom made me wear a red, velvety blazer (of the shoulder pad variety) circa '94/95. I was maybe 12, there were some serious bangs involved, and it was a very difficult time in the heart of the ugly years.]

Saying goodbye to C will be no easier than it was with G, and I'm already dreading the official June 22 takeoff. However, I intend to begin planning a New Zealand trip/European meet-up asap. That'll make for a stellar 2011 blog post, won't it?

[Note: I need a haircut. Like yesterday.]