Arriving in Arizona

**CONFESSION and PLEA FOR HELP**  I'm finding that I don't know what I'm doing with this blog stuff.  I get everything situated the way I want it, I "save" it, then I "preview" it, and finding it perfect I "publish" it.  Then when I go back to look at it things have changed positions, pictures have moved, spacing has changed.  If anyone has any suggestions - they are welcome.

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Kori and I arrived in Surprise, Arizona, around 2:30 p.m. on January 4th.  We stopped to have a bite to eat and went to my new residence for the next 4+ months.     

Kori and her husband, Matt Eubank

The next few days were spent putting things in their proper place and shopping for some necessities, but mostly for decorative type things.
















 Our first excursion was to Tucson to see my grandson, Kade (Mason's son), who is a student at Pima Community College.  He lives at "The Reserve," an apartment complex that caters to the college students.
He went to Pima from Alaska to play basketball, but has red-shirted for this year.  Still likes it though:  his classes, the coaches, his living arrangements, and loves the weather.

Kade Campbell and his girlfriend Erica

I visited the great city of Prescott, Arizona, which is at an elevation of 5,000 feet, so much more temperate climate than the Phoenix area.  There was actually still snow on the ground from a recent fall.  My cousin John (I call him Jack) Cadby and his wife Shirley have a home in Sun City Grand in Surprise, and a second home in Prescott.  They were kind enough to offer me the use of their Prescott home any time I wish - and I wished this past week.

Prescott, Arizona

 

Jack, a cousin I grew up with in Montana.









Leaving California

Since I stayed in the Bay Area through the holidays I had time to meet with many of the special people in my life before I took off.  First my kids had a family gathering to honor me in my retirement.  It was at Matt (son) and Jennifer’s (his wife) home with their two sons, my grandsons, Brady and Noah,  Mitch (son) and Shana (his wife), Kellie (daughter), Jason (grandson-Kellie's son) and Allison (his wife) and their two daughters, my great-granddaughters, Lilly and Lexi,  Jenna (granddaughter-Kellie's daughter), and Maureen (ex-husband's sister and my good friend) and her husband Dick (also good friend) attending.  It was a VERY special time for me.  How can you beat having each person at the table tell you how wonderful you are? 

Matt, Jennifer, Me and Kellie in the background

I also had lunch and/or dinner with the following individuals/groups of people:

Former colleagues from Amador High School (they had a retirement dinner for me about 20 years ago – which is where this picture is from). The five who met for dinner were Shirley Welch, Shirley Peugh, Joyce Mohatt, Rose Boddington and myself.

Amador Valley High School Clerical Staff (Circa 1990)

Jan Allen, Jan Pappas, Me, Dianne Patterson, Linda Larsen

                                               My P-town pals   

Beverly Smith

 


The Entry 9 Dinner group from Rossmoor,  (Sorry no picture-Fran Barry, Betty Valente, Nancy Dill, Josetta  Bilboa, Barbara Owens, and Me)

Peggy Berry

                               Former VA Colleague who retired 2 years ago       



and my little book club from Rossmoor.

Marilyn Haupt and Carol Barratt

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On January 2nd I had a farewell lunch with the Matt Campbell family at the Habit in Walnut Creek.

On January 3^rd, I said good-bye to Kellie and my apartment,

got into my well loaded automobile, and drove to the Oakland Airport where I picked up my younger daughter, Kori.

 I missed the first exit off 880 South, had to turn around to go back so I could pick up the exit to 580 east.  We stopped at McDonald’s on Santa Rita Road so I could purchase one last Egg McMuffin –

 as I had every morning on my way to work. 

We drove down I-5 until we got to the Harris Ranch where we stopped for arguably the best hamburger I have ever had.  Our next stop was Arcadia where we spent the night with son Mike and his wife Diane.  

 We had a breakfast at a familiar spot, Nano’s Cafe,

 and were on our way.  Our only stop before entering the State of Arizona was at Bob’s Big Boy, in who knows what little town, so Kori could have her picture taken with her “special boy friend.”

AND THERE IS THE WELCOME TO ARIZONA SIGN!!!!

A Little Background Information

My first work for pay was when I was a junior in high school working as a dental assistant. 

 Since then I have been a secretarty, a bookkeeper, and an administrative assistant.

Then after launching six children into their adult worlds

and getting divorced, I returned to college to finish an education that I started back in 1958, and became a licensed clinical social worker. I worked in child protection, hospice and finally mental health.

 Since I completed my Master's Degree just before I turned 57 years old thoughts of retirement were there practically before I got started.  But, for sure, when I was employed by the VA in 2001 (at 61 years of age) my thought was to work for five years and be done.,  Well, here I am - now 72 and one half years old  and finally retired.  It's official.



So for the first time since I was 15 years old I am in a position that I have time, financial stability and no responsibilities.   The initial idea of taking some time to do a few things that I have always wanted to do merged into a much more defined plan which has come to be known as "My Vagabond Year."  Vagabond because I'm going to be staying in the homes of relatives when I am not on a trip to somewhere special.  The map with 12/12/12 boldly displayed at the bottom is a very close approximation of what the coming year is planned to look like.  The major trips are scheduled and paid for.  Everything else is fluid - will definitely happen, just don't know for sure when.

The Departure

At 12:12:12 p.m. on 12/12/12 (December 12, 2012) I turned off the light and closed my office door behind me, as I was leaving my employment with the federal government after 12 years.  (This was the culmination of 45+ years of employment in various capacities.)  Just outside my office door stood several of my colleagues and more gathered as I approached the elevator to leave the building for the last time.