Welcome to the Reed Ranch!: Party with the QC Girls

In years past Qualcomm has had quite elaborate Holiday parties... but unfortunately last year and again this year, we have been watching the budget, like so many other companies, and have foregone the annual parties and picnics... But not to worry... us "girls" have been keeping up the tradition... at least the few I work closely with in our department.... not company sponsored of course.. so we all just treat ourselves!

So last week eight of us from Corporate Research and Development got together at CozyMel's Mexican Restaurant in UTC and had a wonderful celebration together. Mexican food was voted the favorite among us... well actually I think it was because of the margaritas.. but nonetheless we all enjoyed!

Before we jaunted over, Toni and Monica and I snapped few shots still at the office as we were getting into the festive mood....

I wanted to practice my "self portrait" pictures or as Toni calls them

FB pics...

Now mind you the restaurant is no more than 8 miles from work... but leaving at 5pm it took me nearly an hour to get there!!!!.... but perseverance pays off... and the evening begins...

Here's a shot of our group of girls... see how nice and polite everyone looks with all the gifts just waiting on the table....from left to right is Lisa, Lana, Darleen, Doris, Toni, Monica, Me and Lori.

And the best part of the evening (second to the margaritas at least) was our Christmas Gift Exchange.... you know the "draw a number and steal a gift" game.... and that we did!

Lana peaks to see what awaits her....

Aye.. sure enough it's a "coffee gift basket" with a

pint r'two of Bailey's Irish Cream fer luck.... too bad she doesn't indulge

in the liquid gold.....

Here's Darleen opening her (first) gift.....

Cool... and basket chocked full of Starbucks goodies...

could coffee be the evening's theme???

Monica's next up... look how sweet and innocent she looks here.. yea right after she steals the Irish Cream right out from under Lana... I think under her breath she's sayin' "too bad so sad"

But Lana's a trooper...

and it pays off as she opens a "gift of gold goodies"...

even the container was an elegant gold glittered bag....

that was way better for her than the Irish Cream!

So just when Monica thought she was so smart.. Doris steals the Irish Cream... thus ends the adventure of the travelling liquid gold.... there it goes.. you can see Monica's hand in the lower right corner trying to keep a hold of it!!!

Does Doris look like a conqueror or what?

OK takes one to know one...

Monica then steals Darleen's Starbucks coffee goodies...

she's not gonna let this one go...

Poor Darleen has to draw again.. but hey, bonus.. she gets some peppermint treats and an amazing 3-wick candle that smells of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.... someone get her a spoon.. smells good enough to eat!

Toni takes a whif of the candle to test it out as she awaits her turn to steal...

I mean to select a wonderful gift...

In the mean time it's Lori's turn.. she gets this darling heart shaped jewelry box from Pier One Imports... or was it World Trade Center.. no wait that's not right.. World Important Market ..no World something... and I only had one sip of Dori's margarita!.... oh dear.

Can you see Lori's happy hands.... they even match the gift!!!

and her heart was happy to...

... that is until Toni steals her heart... literally.. so Lori gets to pick again....

... and gets a beautiful crystal Christmas tray... she's pretty happy!!

Lisa's turn.. and she's tickled purple...

I mean tickled pink with this cool Bath and Body Set..

Purple??? Did someone say purple???

OK .. it's my turn.. and you'll never guess what I stole....

(sorry Lisa!)

We had a great time and wonder why we only do this once a year... we'll vow to get together more often...but when reality sets in seems it will once again be December before we know it...

Lisa Lana and Darleen....