Calls, candy and a flight to Midland for Mr.& Mrs.Bush

On President Bush's final day in office, painters and cleaning crews were still working in the West Wing press offices. Moving crews heaved boxes and delicately carried paintings bound in bubble wrap. Other moving trucks were unloading boxes and carting them into the White House.
The Bushes and Obamas shortly before the Bushes flew out of Washington heading back to Texas.

The Bushes and Obamas shortly before the Bushes flew out of Washington heading back to Texas.
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George W. Bush spent Tuesday morning making calls. He rang outgoing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card and former National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.

The former president also had a conversation with his good friend the Rev. T.D. Jakes.

Jakes is the chief pastor of the nondenominational megachurch Potter's House in Dallas, Texas. He was in Washington to give a sermon Tuesday at St. John's Church, a short walk from the White House.

It's unclear what was said in any of these exchanges, but Bush made clear to the nation last week that his presidency was challenging and that he is "filled with gratitude."

Though there has been "legitimate debate" about many of his decisions, including the war in Iraq, Bush said, "there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil."

Noting that Bush's last day in the home he has known for eight years was fraught with emotion, press secretary Dana Perino spoke affectionately about her boss.

Bush "gave me a kiss on the forehead," she said. "It's something I will never forget."
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An attempt to sweeten the memories of the White House press corps was made Tuesday when Perino gave reporters boxes of M&Ms. The candies were wrapped with a presidential seal and signed by President Bush.

Shortly before President Barack Obama and his family arrived at the White House, Bush took a last walk around the South Lawn. He spent his remaining time at the White House with his family.

Shortly before Obama's inauguration as the 44th president, cameras captured the Bushes, along with daughters Barbara and Jenna, walking to a helicopter on the east Capitol parking lot and from there to Andrews Air Force Base.

A wheelchair-bound Vice President Dick Cheney, who injured his back lifting boxes while moving, was taken to a motorcade.
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The Bushes boarded a flight to Midland, Texas, and were expected to arrive in the small town about 6 p.m. Video Watch Bush wave goodbye »

A crowd had formed by midafternoon in Midland, their cheers streamed live on www.welcomehomebush.com. Country music performers Rodney Atkins, the Gatlin Brothers and Lee Greenwood performed until the former first family arrives. source>>>

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