Fabulous Army Life

We had a totally awesome time tonight at, like, a dinner for these great Army folks who are, like, totally leaving for a rad new job.  It was fer sure a great time!

This is the rough-draft version of the speech I gave the night of my Farewell from the 3-82 Field Artillery Family. There was a lot of improvisation on my part as I tried to adequately thank each and every lady who attended. I was very emotional and honestly could not imagine a world without daily interaction with these fabulous ladies. At the end, I gave each attendee a magnet (pictured at the end of this blog post) that I made as a reminder of the amazing ways they had handled a multitude of stresses during our time together. I will forever treasure my time in this unit and with these Families. Best wishes always to the Red Dragons of 3-82 Field Artillery! A good friend once shared a quote with me that I have loved ever since: Stress is when your gut says ‘no’ but you’re mouth says, “Sure! I’d be glad to!” As Army spouses, we endure a multitude of stresses.  Enduring long separations, worrying about the safety of our Soldiers, learning single parenting skills, taki...

Tracey greets me with a sharp pin ... and a corsage. My mother-in-law, Linda, is honored with a corsage. The planning crew ... Ever want world peace? Assemble these ladies and it's done. Amazing table decorations by wonderfully talented ladies. Flowers and color and jewels, oh, my! Beautiful cake by Muffy Patterson, the Cake Diva! Generous gifts from big hearts. Ladies write notes for a farewell photo album. Cannot adequately describe how much these ladies mean to me. It's sunny and bright on the patio of the Dead Fish Grill! Arcy and Sarah say some really sweet things, some of which are true. :) I get through my speech with a few laughs and a few more tears. Red flowers and a red boa ... I am Artillieried up! Black Jack Babes (Missy, Angie, Suzie, Cindy, me, Trish, and Molly) My fabulous family, Rachel and Linda  Missy, Georgia, Beverly, Sarah, Kim, Angie, me, Christine, Arcy, Val, Lani, Chari, Am...

Cindy with a 15th BSB candy crest! Giovanni's Italian Restaurant in Copperas Cove handled the delicious dinner. Guests left with a cute take-home favor including a packet of bluebonnet seeds! Nametags, guest book, and take-home favors. Custom name-tags for all guests. Guests wrote notes to Cindy in this super-cute guest book. Beautiful custom cake by My Sweet Diva! Beatiful Dessert Table Farewell comments and gifts presented to Cindy. Black Jack ladies attend Cindy's Farewell.

Black Jack ladies attend the Farewell for 1st CAV's First Lady, Debbie Allyn. Trish and Cindy show off their Texas Casual!

Attendees were encouraged to wear tea hats ... what a lovely photo of the ladies! Personal touches were ever-present and Lisa's personality was highlighted throughout.  A truly lovely farewell for a truly lovely lady. Photos highlighting Lisa's time with 1-5 CAV serve as decorations. Each guest left with a party favor, including a cute silver flower charm.  Guests were encouraged to write notes to Lisa to be added to her farewell gift. A displayed schedule was decorative and kept everyone informed of the evening's events. Food was covered by the venue, Ambrosia's Tea Room in Salado, Texas. Shelley presents her comments, farewelling Lisa from the 1-5 CAV Family. Sharon shows Lisa's farewell gift, a hand-made quilt from the ladies of the battalion. Black Jack ladies attend Lisa's Farewell.