the would-be writers guild

I spent a while at Rhonda and Jim’s house Saturday evening bidding farewell to my buddy, Liz, who is moving with her darling little family to Eagle, Colorado. She seemed so calm and collected, even though she admitted to crying several times earlier in the day. I will miss her every single month at our writing group, where she always made me laugh, cry, and guffaw. On more than one occasion, she broke out in song (usually something from The Sound of Music) to accompany her writing. How can you not love someone who randomly breaks out into showtunes?

This is Liz and her husband, Shawn.

And here are some more pictures from the farewell party. The only thing I didn’t capture on film (besides a photo of Liz’s dad or any of the kids running around—sorry!) was the random pelting of party guests by falling apricots. Party planners of the world, you heard it here first—ripe falling fruit is a great party game.

This is Liz and her best friend, Mickey. Right before I took this picture, I said, “You’re a tiger!”

This is a much more sophisticated and serious pose.

Here’s a photo of Liz and me. I have a gunky, bloodshot eye, which I am going to use as my excuse for taking such terrible photos at this party. (Don’t ask my excuse every other day…)

Like this photo, for example. I guess I couldn’t tell that Mr. McKea’s eyes weren’t open. Sorry.

Apparently, I had the same problem here with Mike. I was very concerned about getting little Rachel’s face showing, so I lost track of Mike keeping his eyes open.

This is Michele and Andra. I should have zoomed out so that you could see Michele’s cute pregnant belly.

This is Pam, who reluctantly agreed to let me take a picture. (She was on to my lack of photography skills.)

More friends.

Here’s Emily, Ethan, and baby Cade…

…and big brother, Elliott.

Here’s Mickey’s cute family.

More of Liz’s friends. Sorry I didn’t jot down names.

Here’s Liz’s mom and my dear friend, Rhonda. This is not Liz’s dad, however. It is Ike, her wedding photographer. Don’t you invite your wedding photographer to your parties? I know what you’re thinking—why the hell didn’t they ask him to take these pictures?

And here’s Katie, Liz’s sister with her darling baby boy. Katie refuses to join my writing group, even though she is a great writer. She claims that she wants to keep some of the Granquist family secrets out of my hands.

This morning as I type, Liz is already in Colorado and already beginning her new adventure. I can’t wait to hear all about it. Love you, Lizzie!