spring cleaning

So this is what I have done with Amy's/ Cami's bedroom now that I have it back. This is my study, library, or quiet room. We will be turning the den into a gym/food storage/ playroom with the extra TV and an old- school Sega game system. We decided not to put up the extra queen bed we have because it is so big, but no fear for visitors, we have plenty of room and will make you comfortable. If needs be, in the future, I may resort back to a guest bedroom, but for now I wanted a room to "catch up" on projects (my sewing machine is in here also) and somewhere where I can escape and just read in peace. I think I will call it my "retirement room"

Why can't Blythe be like this for the next 7 months?

Looking forward to seeing Ray and his family this weekend. They are coming to help Amy with her move. Anthony and Josh are so grown now and really great workers (they have their dad's work ethic!). Both are active in scouts and enjoy the campouts.. Anthony was just called to be Teacher's Quorum president. We are very proud of them and their progress in church, school and scouts.

Blythe weather has been so great, hopefully it will stay for the weekend move. It is raining in LA area, but here it is sunny and warm. Perfect spring weather, doors and windows open kind of weather. We actually hit about 88 the other day and Cam and Faith played in the water on the trampoline that day. But now it is about 78-80 and perfect.

We enjoyed another fun ward campout last weekend. We are truly blessed in Blythe to have this beautiful location (church land) and cooperating weather which allows us 2 campouts a year. These are the ultimate ward activities because it brings everyone out of their element and into nature. Singing around the campfire, some spiritual and some silly songs, is a memorable moment. And I especially love that kids can be turned loose and everyone watches everyone, everyone plays with everyone and everybody shares their delicious campfire foods. What good, clean, family fun!

I am keeping extremely busy at work now since I realize that I need to leave here with "words of wisdom" to pass on to the next supervisor. I realize that too much information is only in my head and not written down anywhere. Maybe too small of a district, of a town, people know people, know all the streets, know all the special ed students and their needs, almost too personal because you can just "make it work" without having to figure out the formula. But chances are they will bring in someone from the outside or someone without transportation knowledge and then they will have to know where to go for answers. So I will try to formulate some sort of guide before I go (there was nothing here when I came and only an 18 yr old clerk to "teach me" everything.) So, while it will help the time to fly, it will also be tedious work and I'm not looking forward to doing it. But, I also don't want my ears to burn when I leave because the new person is talking about me and cursing at me for not giving them enough information. So, back to work I go...

What the future holds...

I guess it is official now- I am retiring June 25th (yes, 2009!) and I am walking with a lighter step, like a weight is off my shoulder. There were lots of determining factors, and I was on the fence for awhile, but I will just dwell on the positive- I am retiring to preserve my health (physical and mental). I'm not sure what I will do with the extra time on my hands, but I am sure I will find plenty to do, grandkids to visit and projects to keep me busy. I will probably address this subject more at a later date- but just wanted to let everyone know my good news!

PAY IT FORWARD and get something FREE from me

Pay it Forward
The Rules:
1. Be one of the three (3) bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me.

2. Winner, you must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay it Forward, creating a handmade gift for the fist 3 bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your three Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: it's the spirit and the thought that count!

4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love!

Ray Anthony Bolton Jr.

Happy Birthday to our grandson Anthony!
Hope you have a great #15- we love you...

the eight babies born

Sorry, I don't know how to spell the "oct" word for the 8 babies that were born yesterday.

I just wanted to say that they were born at Kaiser, Bellflower, where all my kids were born and also that Brandie works there. She got to see the babies before they were"locked them away" from possible cameras. She also said that they (employees) had to park 5 miles away and take a shuttle bus to accommodate all the media camping out there. I just wanted to say something since Brandie doesn't get much chance to post these days, but I thought it was exciting.

posting just to post...

I cannot believe I can't think of anything to write about. This will probably be random. I actually have a lot to say but it was all sounding so negative (I've written and erased a few times). Things are crazy at work with a real budget crisis and everyone trying to help fix the problem. Unfortunately, the ideas are pretty much dog-eat-dog solutions. It is all pretty depressing and I am only hoping that they will come up with a decent early-retirement offer so I can just get out before the real crisis hits.
Home life is kind of boring right now also. I work the early shift and Ray seems to work the late shift, we don't see too much of each other. The kids keep me busy since Amy's days off are her school days and she isn't around. Faith is great at doing homework but Cameron is a tough cookie. He knows his subjects well, but he has a real hard time staying focused enough to do homework. It can take up to 2 hours (and that's with him at the table, in my sight, with no TV on and nothing close by to distract him) and then when he does do the work, he is so sloppy. I love working with him on other things, like projects (since it is hands-on, he enjoys it) but homework is a struggle every night (and Amy doesn't get home until after 7:30 which is too late to help). I keep hoping it will get better but right now... Amy and Cameron have a meeting at school on Friday and I am hoping between the teacher and principal they can come up with some solutions to his "easily distracted" behaviors. He is also very inconsistent in tests scores. So, even though I love him to pieces, I also find him an added stress in my already stressed out day. Any suggestions? It helps having lots of family in the educational field, maybe you can help me work this out better.
I miss mom and dad also and wish I could visit more often. I am so used to having them here and making almost daily visits. And even though I know they are happy where they are I know they also miss having family close by and having regular visitors.

Well, I was right, this is random and, I apologize, a bit negative. But it's how I am feeling today and I had time to blog, so here it is.