Dear Ones,
This morning I rolled out of bed, picked up Kallie who was dressed in a cute little dress and we went to Sabbath School. There was just one other child there this morning. Emily did a great job of leading out and Kallie had a good time. She is learning to say Amen at the end of prayers and also singing some of the songs. Once the program was over, the snacks eaten we went to the car and drove to Discovery Bay. She fell asleep before we reached home so I tried to carefully take her from the car, through the garage, up the stairs and down into her little bed. I thought I had managed the whole process but 30 minutes later she was awake and crying because she had wanted to go to Papa's house. Just in time Nikki called to invite us to join the family for lunch in Brentwood. So we drove in and listened as Keanna talked about her soccer experiences. She had a good time and her outfit is so cute. She is growing up so fast and it saddens me, our little Keanna is no more, now she is a school girl.
Once I headed home I became very sleepy and the benedryl I had taken to cope with itching really got up with me. Once home I started a long nap and had a very hard time waking from it. I was deep into sleep.
This evening I had dinner with a friend at the Elephant Bar in Stockton. The food was great, the service outstanding and the prices very reasonable. It was a great evening.
Life is totally different than I expected when I would look to my 60s years ago. I never expected things to be this challenging and unsettled. Yet there is a loving heavenly Father who watches and cares. I think Him for the precious joys found in smiling faces of little ones.
Love
tim
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Kallie comes to visit
Dear Family and Friends,
The week has finally ground to a halt to be replaced with a peaceful Sabbath time. In the middle of the week work picked up and I've been kept very busy trying to meet incredibly short deadlines.
This afternoon after doing a review of a good appraisal in Piedmont, upper Oakland where the typical house is more than a million dollars I headed home knowing the pace would be changing. I stopped by and picked up Kallie, we came to the house and she played while I wrote up the review. Lois was kind enough to come over to help her stay safe. Then we went to McDonalds where Kallie played and enjoyed some food. Finally we ended up at her house where she eventually went to bed. It is so cute, you pray with her and she snuggles down into her little pillow, then she reaches down and pulls her blanket up and says good night. That is it, she is gone. Just too cute for words.
Nikki and Steve took friends and Keanna for a night watching the Giants win over the Dodgers. They had a great time and enjoyed the van which let them all fit in one car.
I'm taking Kallie to Sabbath School, this afternoon she asked if we were going to church tomorrow? Out of the mouth of babes..... so we are going, that is if I ever get to bed and get some rest.
Love to all, enjoy your weekend and find some peace.
Tim
The week has finally ground to a halt to be replaced with a peaceful Sabbath time. In the middle of the week work picked up and I've been kept very busy trying to meet incredibly short deadlines.
This afternoon after doing a review of a good appraisal in Piedmont, upper Oakland where the typical house is more than a million dollars I headed home knowing the pace would be changing. I stopped by and picked up Kallie, we came to the house and she played while I wrote up the review. Lois was kind enough to come over to help her stay safe. Then we went to McDonalds where Kallie played and enjoyed some food. Finally we ended up at her house where she eventually went to bed. It is so cute, you pray with her and she snuggles down into her little pillow, then she reaches down and pulls her blanket up and says good night. That is it, she is gone. Just too cute for words.
Nikki and Steve took friends and Keanna for a night watching the Giants win over the Dodgers. They had a great time and enjoyed the van which let them all fit in one car.
I'm taking Kallie to Sabbath School, this afternoon she asked if we were going to church tomorrow? Out of the mouth of babes..... so we are going, that is if I ever get to bed and get some rest.
Love to all, enjoy your weekend and find some peace.
Tim
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Alone again
It was sure to happen, Marilyn left me, drove right up the road to Sacramento, to her sisters and her friends and the really bad thing was, my wallet went with her. Shortly after arriving in Sac this morning she looked down to discover my wallet sitting quietly on the console. I had left it last night when we got home from dinner. So we each drove 1/2 the distance and I now own my wallet again.
Not walking this morning I wandered into the office and began working. Finally this afternoon I put the finishing touches on a field review which pays some measly amount but took forever. Almost immediately it was rejected by the system and I had to change some things, I think now it has finally been accepted. Work certainly takes longer to accomplish the same as used to be done in 1/2 the time. No wonder so many appraisers are through with the business, have moved on, lost their homes and are in some cases very bitter. I can understand perfectly as I struggle to survive day by day.
This afternoon the orders started, 4 of them in a row, all for extremely low fees, yet not quite low enough to just refuse them. I'm now getting $260 for something I've gotten $375 for for the last 10 years. And the client is paying even more than $375, the management company cuts their profit off the top. I don't think that will last for long with the new laws just passed by congress, they say the appraiser fees must be customary for the area, not set by management companies so there could be some hope on the horizon.
The weather continues to be splendid with the big AC working for a very short time in the late afternoon. Its pleasant to be outside, even to measure homes and here we are almost to August. Of course we know there will be some hot times to come but I'm enjoying the cooler times.
Tomorrow promises to be a very busy day with trips to Oakland, then back home to write up the report and get it turned in before the end of day. Then tomorrow evening I care for Kallie as her parents go to the ballgame with friends. We will have a good time. She is easy to care for, she loves to play and smile, sing and when its time for bed she will go willingly without a fuss. Its sort of rare and very nice to cope with.
Sending love to all,
tim
Not walking this morning I wandered into the office and began working. Finally this afternoon I put the finishing touches on a field review which pays some measly amount but took forever. Almost immediately it was rejected by the system and I had to change some things, I think now it has finally been accepted. Work certainly takes longer to accomplish the same as used to be done in 1/2 the time. No wonder so many appraisers are through with the business, have moved on, lost their homes and are in some cases very bitter. I can understand perfectly as I struggle to survive day by day.
This afternoon the orders started, 4 of them in a row, all for extremely low fees, yet not quite low enough to just refuse them. I'm now getting $260 for something I've gotten $375 for for the last 10 years. And the client is paying even more than $375, the management company cuts their profit off the top. I don't think that will last for long with the new laws just passed by congress, they say the appraiser fees must be customary for the area, not set by management companies so there could be some hope on the horizon.
The weather continues to be splendid with the big AC working for a very short time in the late afternoon. Its pleasant to be outside, even to measure homes and here we are almost to August. Of course we know there will be some hot times to come but I'm enjoying the cooler times.
Tomorrow promises to be a very busy day with trips to Oakland, then back home to write up the report and get it turned in before the end of day. Then tomorrow evening I care for Kallie as her parents go to the ballgame with friends. We will have a good time. She is easy to care for, she loves to play and smile, sing and when its time for bed she will go willingly without a fuss. Its sort of rare and very nice to cope with.
Sending love to all,
tim
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Spin class
Have I told you about spin class? Perhaps some of you do not realize that in 30 minutes you get a chance to witness your life being spilled out over your forehead and onto the floor, it is a constant stream of sweat, the heart beats so fast that it is louder than the blaring rock music, played at that volume so you don't get a chance to even consider the extreme limits you are pushing your body to. The room is about 50 degrees when you walk in but in a matter of 12 minutes becomes over 80 or at least it feels like it. Surrounded by attractive young women in their pretty little outfits one shrinks in an attempt not to be noticed, funny how the young women appear much older when they drag their sweat stained dying bodies out the door at the end of class. All the time our beloved Kim sends encouraging messages to us over the din of the music, looking good, lets climb this last mountain, was it McKinley? Or Everest? And then the coasting down the other side, legs and feet spinning so fast that if anything went wrong one would be missing a limb. Oh and did I mention I pay $55 a month for this honor, of losing 5 pounds of precious body fluids in 30 minutes so you can stagger down the stairs as a group. Welcome to spin class. And then she dares invite you to stay and take the next 60 minute class where "things get serious". I run from the building to avoid being snatched into the next serious class. On many a tombstone it says, He left us in spinning class!
So why go? Well why not? Can't have that kind of life changing experience anyplace else short of a Pentecostal service and Kim looks so much better than a wild eyed southern preacher.
Actually compared to the rest of the day spin class was down right exciting.
I walked, then I drove to Hayward where I met a nice lady speaking Chinese, her son spoke perfect English and interpreted for us. The entire two story home had no furniture, only mats to sleep on. The people were lovely, kind and very polite. And the entire appraisal was conducted in the cool crisp morning with fog swirling around on every side. It was just the kind of morning I love. Once I was completed with the inspection I then turned to Pittsburgh to conduct a drive by appraisal review. Already in my possession are the 39 page original appraisal and a 4 page review. Now someone at MetLife wants another review, this time a drive by one but you know, since they are willing to pay for it, I will comply.
Once I finished in Pittsburgh I headed home to pick up Keanna from her first day at school. She marched out looking pleased in her new school clothes. She was full of news, her new teacher was great, she had saved her bathroom pass, not sure that is a virtue!, there were lots of kids in the room she knew and yes could we drive to McDonalds for a snack. An hour later and a full happy meal under her belt we drove home so she could change to her gymnastics clothes. I took her to her 2:40 class and she did great. She has turned a lot of corners and can do cartwheels, handstands, works on the balance beam and obviously loves every minute of it. It is such a joy to see her enjoy her life and we have nice conversations. She often asks me to explain words I use which I then break down so she can use them in the future. She is reading well ahead of her grade level now and loves learning. What fun.
Now fun for a Papa is something different, like going to bed on time and that is just what I'm going to do. I survived a 3 mile walk with Ken this morning and spin class tonight plus an afternoon with the human dynamo Keanna. Nice.
love
tim
So why go? Well why not? Can't have that kind of life changing experience anyplace else short of a Pentecostal service and Kim looks so much better than a wild eyed southern preacher.
Actually compared to the rest of the day spin class was down right exciting.
I walked, then I drove to Hayward where I met a nice lady speaking Chinese, her son spoke perfect English and interpreted for us. The entire two story home had no furniture, only mats to sleep on. The people were lovely, kind and very polite. And the entire appraisal was conducted in the cool crisp morning with fog swirling around on every side. It was just the kind of morning I love. Once I was completed with the inspection I then turned to Pittsburgh to conduct a drive by appraisal review. Already in my possession are the 39 page original appraisal and a 4 page review. Now someone at MetLife wants another review, this time a drive by one but you know, since they are willing to pay for it, I will comply.
Once I finished in Pittsburgh I headed home to pick up Keanna from her first day at school. She marched out looking pleased in her new school clothes. She was full of news, her new teacher was great, she had saved her bathroom pass, not sure that is a virtue!, there were lots of kids in the room she knew and yes could we drive to McDonalds for a snack. An hour later and a full happy meal under her belt we drove home so she could change to her gymnastics clothes. I took her to her 2:40 class and she did great. She has turned a lot of corners and can do cartwheels, handstands, works on the balance beam and obviously loves every minute of it. It is such a joy to see her enjoy her life and we have nice conversations. She often asks me to explain words I use which I then break down so she can use them in the future. She is reading well ahead of her grade level now and loves learning. What fun.
Now fun for a Papa is something different, like going to bed on time and that is just what I'm going to do. I survived a 3 mile walk with Ken this morning and spin class tonight plus an afternoon with the human dynamo Keanna. Nice.
love
tim
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Another cool day
Wow, so here it is Tuesday all ready, the weather is wonderfully cool, there has been work to complete including a new order this morning right here in Discovery Bay. Marilyn has been keeping all TV shows monitored from the recliner and reports all is in order. She has reprogrammed the DVR to capture the shows I might like to see someday and some weird show called General Hospital!!
The house I saw at noon was right here on the golf course and had a stunning pool, a lagoon view, totally updated interior. The lady told an interesting story about her mom who lives up in Copperopolis. She stepped into her yard only to step right on a rattler. Of course the rattler big her and her dog, she spent a week in the hospital recovering and likes snakes even less than before. Oh how I hate snakes and the story gave me the creeps. She also told me she had both knees replaced at the same time. Seems she used her step machine so much that she wore it out and her knees as well. Interesting things one can learn from visiting with homeowners.
I've cranked out reports today and am looking forward to bed soon. Tomorrow Keanna starts school, it seems so wrong, what ever happened to school starting in September? I'll pick her up from school and then take her to gymnastics in the afternoon. It will be fun to see her again. Its also a way I can feel like I'm doing my part for my precious family.
Steve has been working hard at getting signed up with management companies and I just pray that it will work out. He is an incredibly good appraiser, careful, honest, dedicated to doing everything correctly so if given a chance he will get lots of work. My own work load is pretty sick right now, hardly anything happening at the present time, orders trickle in and checks do about the same. In a few days it will be critical for the house payment again. Here we go again.
Well its time to fold up the tent and head to bed. Tomorrow morning at 9 I have to be in Hayward to see a place. There is little data available regarding this nearly new property so doing this report is going to be a real challenge. Oh well that is why they pay me the little bucks these days.
I've been filling out the endless E Harmony materials, wow it just seems to go on forever. And of course now they want me to download a photo. Well I don't have a photo I really want to share but I suppose I'll have to either take one or find one if this is to work. Already I have 24 inquiries from all over asking for a response. Yikes.
Love to all,
Tim
The house I saw at noon was right here on the golf course and had a stunning pool, a lagoon view, totally updated interior. The lady told an interesting story about her mom who lives up in Copperopolis. She stepped into her yard only to step right on a rattler. Of course the rattler big her and her dog, she spent a week in the hospital recovering and likes snakes even less than before. Oh how I hate snakes and the story gave me the creeps. She also told me she had both knees replaced at the same time. Seems she used her step machine so much that she wore it out and her knees as well. Interesting things one can learn from visiting with homeowners.
I've cranked out reports today and am looking forward to bed soon. Tomorrow Keanna starts school, it seems so wrong, what ever happened to school starting in September? I'll pick her up from school and then take her to gymnastics in the afternoon. It will be fun to see her again. Its also a way I can feel like I'm doing my part for my precious family.
Steve has been working hard at getting signed up with management companies and I just pray that it will work out. He is an incredibly good appraiser, careful, honest, dedicated to doing everything correctly so if given a chance he will get lots of work. My own work load is pretty sick right now, hardly anything happening at the present time, orders trickle in and checks do about the same. In a few days it will be critical for the house payment again. Here we go again.
Well its time to fold up the tent and head to bed. Tomorrow morning at 9 I have to be in Hayward to see a place. There is little data available regarding this nearly new property so doing this report is going to be a real challenge. Oh well that is why they pay me the little bucks these days.
I've been filling out the endless E Harmony materials, wow it just seems to go on forever. And of course now they want me to download a photo. Well I don't have a photo I really want to share but I suppose I'll have to either take one or find one if this is to work. Already I have 24 inquiries from all over asking for a response. Yikes.
Love to all,
Tim
Monday, July 26, 2010
A nice cool day, lots of work done, Marilyn makes great dinner
Dear Family and Friends,
Some days just work out better than others. This has been one of the good ones. Many of you know that guys tend to base much of their feelings on whether they get work accomplished or not, when we fiddle around all day and have nothing to show for the day we tend to feel it was wasted, which of course is exactly what it is, wasted.
Ken and I trooped our 3 miles this morning in wonderful cool air. Then I hit the showers and came down to see anxious messages on my screen, where is the rush appraisal from Discovery Bay. At first I thought that it was done but then I started digging and found it deep in my briefcase. It had been due last Thursday, no wonder they were anxious. Well what to do, I had to leave for an appointment in Lafayette within 1/2 hour. I called the homeowner and she graciously allowed us to move the appointment to 4 this afternoon. That allowed me time to do the value checks, the fixes and to write two appraisals before leaving. It was wonderful. I settled into writing mode and cranked both of them out, emailed them to the management company and then left on time at 3. By then the mail had brought payment for 3 reports which I deposited on my way out of town. The drive was uneventful to Lafayette and the GPS delivered me right to the door. The home was beautiful, had a pebbletec pool and spa, great landscaping and a nice wake board boat in the driveway. It took about an hour to get the work done and then I headed home using the backroads. Even though the speed is only 45 the drive is nice through the hills and there are no traffic jams. Marilyn had dinner ready and it was excellent. So good.
Even though I don't feel perfect yet I'm much better and having this work under my belt brings great satisfaction to my little heart.
As it cools down I'll go out and mow the front lawn which is approaching run away heights and be through for the night.
As I just checked the computer I found a new order for a review which I can do tomorrow and I can write up the property I saw this evening. While I wish the volume of work was much greater still some is better than none.
I've spent some time thinking about how nice it would be to be in a relationship, to have someone to share dreams and hopes, to have someone who cared share advice. It would be nice. And to promote the possibilities I sort of joined E Harmony. So far I've not spent any money and of course the contacts are limited until one makes the plunge and signs up for real. Still it is interesting.
Well enough for tonight,
love
tim
Some days just work out better than others. This has been one of the good ones. Many of you know that guys tend to base much of their feelings on whether they get work accomplished or not, when we fiddle around all day and have nothing to show for the day we tend to feel it was wasted, which of course is exactly what it is, wasted.
Ken and I trooped our 3 miles this morning in wonderful cool air. Then I hit the showers and came down to see anxious messages on my screen, where is the rush appraisal from Discovery Bay. At first I thought that it was done but then I started digging and found it deep in my briefcase. It had been due last Thursday, no wonder they were anxious. Well what to do, I had to leave for an appointment in Lafayette within 1/2 hour. I called the homeowner and she graciously allowed us to move the appointment to 4 this afternoon. That allowed me time to do the value checks, the fixes and to write two appraisals before leaving. It was wonderful. I settled into writing mode and cranked both of them out, emailed them to the management company and then left on time at 3. By then the mail had brought payment for 3 reports which I deposited on my way out of town. The drive was uneventful to Lafayette and the GPS delivered me right to the door. The home was beautiful, had a pebbletec pool and spa, great landscaping and a nice wake board boat in the driveway. It took about an hour to get the work done and then I headed home using the backroads. Even though the speed is only 45 the drive is nice through the hills and there are no traffic jams. Marilyn had dinner ready and it was excellent. So good.
Even though I don't feel perfect yet I'm much better and having this work under my belt brings great satisfaction to my little heart.
As it cools down I'll go out and mow the front lawn which is approaching run away heights and be through for the night.
As I just checked the computer I found a new order for a review which I can do tomorrow and I can write up the property I saw this evening. While I wish the volume of work was much greater still some is better than none.
I've spent some time thinking about how nice it would be to be in a relationship, to have someone to share dreams and hopes, to have someone who cared share advice. It would be nice. And to promote the possibilities I sort of joined E Harmony. So far I've not spent any money and of course the contacts are limited until one makes the plunge and signs up for real. Still it is interesting.
Well enough for tonight,
love
tim
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Ray has birthday, Ken and I create fire
Dear Family and Friends,
As I write this evening my insides are not feeling so good. I think its a combination of things but I'm not feeling well.
This morning we walked and then Ken offered to put air in the motorhome tires that had drifted a bit low. He pulled his huge compressor over and we plugged it in, the next thing we knew there was a ball of fire, flames about 6 inches in diameter burning where the plug and extension cord met. After being stunned for a minute I ran over and unplugged the cord and the fire went out. It left a black spot on the concrete and two very blackened connections.
Once the stores were open I took a little trip, purchased my meds including another round of Avelox to combat the illness, new blood sugar strips and other meds I usually take. The total was less than I expected, a good thing. We bought new plugs for the connection and I installed the new end on my extension cord and Ken put a new plug on his compressor.
I've rested a lot today but ended up eating way too much food at Ray's birthday party, now I'm feeling really rough, just heading to bed I think, hope its better in the morning.
I'm not sure that my visit to weight watchers tomorrow night will be a good one, just eating way too much.
The weather continues to be moderate here, in the high 80s during the day and then down to 58 at night. I can live with that. I have some appointments for the upcoming week for which I am grateful.
Good night to you all,
love
Tim
As I write this evening my insides are not feeling so good. I think its a combination of things but I'm not feeling well.
This morning we walked and then Ken offered to put air in the motorhome tires that had drifted a bit low. He pulled his huge compressor over and we plugged it in, the next thing we knew there was a ball of fire, flames about 6 inches in diameter burning where the plug and extension cord met. After being stunned for a minute I ran over and unplugged the cord and the fire went out. It left a black spot on the concrete and two very blackened connections.
Once the stores were open I took a little trip, purchased my meds including another round of Avelox to combat the illness, new blood sugar strips and other meds I usually take. The total was less than I expected, a good thing. We bought new plugs for the connection and I installed the new end on my extension cord and Ken put a new plug on his compressor.
I've rested a lot today but ended up eating way too much food at Ray's birthday party, now I'm feeling really rough, just heading to bed I think, hope its better in the morning.
I'm not sure that my visit to weight watchers tomorrow night will be a good one, just eating way too much.
The weather continues to be moderate here, in the high 80s during the day and then down to 58 at night. I can live with that. I have some appointments for the upcoming week for which I am grateful.
Good night to you all,
love
Tim
What a great Sabbath
Just in,
This morning after I strolled around the lake with Ken he offered to back my boat into its normal "side of the house" parking stall. Since Steve and Nikki had the van I was short a tow vehicle. He backed the trailer in like a pro which is not that easy. Then I came in the house, had my steel cut oats and took a nap. I had decided that I wanted to drive down to see the kids who were all in the Santa Cruz area today. So about noon Marilyn and I left in the bug for the coastal area. We called and found Nikki and Steve at the flea market, a place they love to go. Our traffic was pretty awful going down but we arrived and could not reach Nikki and Steve so located their camping site in the Henry Cowell park. Then we drove to MBA where Jason was working the gate and talked to him for awhile. Then we went to the house and Timothy came out to greet us. We had a great visit with Timothy and Jo and had a chance to see his wooden train track, his cars and his new quiet toy for church. Eventually we said goodbye and then good bye to Jason as the gate and drove back to the campsite where Nikki, STeve, Kallie and Keanna were enjoying just being outdoors. They had a really cute camp site with fire pit, their tent all set up with plenty of room for all to sleep in and a new puppy they had just adopted from the SPCA. Tas is a little loving puppy who is healthy, already has a chip and is enjoying the love of all four of them. We ended staying for dinner and I got to hold Kallie for awhile and interact with Keanna. Nikki and STeve had all the camping stuff they needed and made a delicious supper which we ate as the darkness approached and the moon came up.
Finally we pulled ourselves away and have just driven back after a great day visiting with some very precious people. Jo is doing so well with her pregnancy and in about 3 months our newest little lady will arrive. It is so exciting.
If anyone would have told me about how neat grandchildren were I would have had them sooner, oh wait, it was not up to me.
Good night and love to all, family and friends.
Tim
This morning after I strolled around the lake with Ken he offered to back my boat into its normal "side of the house" parking stall. Since Steve and Nikki had the van I was short a tow vehicle. He backed the trailer in like a pro which is not that easy. Then I came in the house, had my steel cut oats and took a nap. I had decided that I wanted to drive down to see the kids who were all in the Santa Cruz area today. So about noon Marilyn and I left in the bug for the coastal area. We called and found Nikki and Steve at the flea market, a place they love to go. Our traffic was pretty awful going down but we arrived and could not reach Nikki and Steve so located their camping site in the Henry Cowell park. Then we drove to MBA where Jason was working the gate and talked to him for awhile. Then we went to the house and Timothy came out to greet us. We had a great visit with Timothy and Jo and had a chance to see his wooden train track, his cars and his new quiet toy for church. Eventually we said goodbye and then good bye to Jason as the gate and drove back to the campsite where Nikki, STeve, Kallie and Keanna were enjoying just being outdoors. They had a really cute camp site with fire pit, their tent all set up with plenty of room for all to sleep in and a new puppy they had just adopted from the SPCA. Tas is a little loving puppy who is healthy, already has a chip and is enjoying the love of all four of them. We ended staying for dinner and I got to hold Kallie for awhile and interact with Keanna. Nikki and STeve had all the camping stuff they needed and made a delicious supper which we ate as the darkness approached and the moon came up.
Finally we pulled ourselves away and have just driven back after a great day visiting with some very precious people. Jo is doing so well with her pregnancy and in about 3 months our newest little lady will arrive. It is so exciting.
If anyone would have told me about how neat grandchildren were I would have had them sooner, oh wait, it was not up to me.
Good night and love to all, family and friends.
Tim
Friday, July 23, 2010
At last the rest day
Well here we are again at the end of another week. Were there moments when we helped people? Lifted someone's load? Smiled when we felt like crying? Are we closer to our goals, our hopes, are we further from our demons and bad habits?
This week has brought me orders, good news at WW with more weight lost, recovery from illness that hovered over me last weekend, a kind visitor comes to visit, the temperature has been more livable.
Bad patches are the constant coughing, the boat breakdown in the delta leaving my little family stranded, my finding them in the van across fields and dirt roads, everyone safe!
I'm not sure that I've helped anyone this week when I stop to think about it, too bad.
Tonight it would be fun to be at campmeeting at Soquel with good speakers, seeing old friends, listening to great music. I've always enjoyed campmeetings, nearly my whole life, I used to go to Gladstone near Portland every year and grew up helping the ministers set up and tear down campmeeting. I was in every meeting, got to sing as a boy soprano for the adult tent where thousands gathered. It was a good experience for a little farm boy. I had my first kiss between rows of tents, my first experience making money hauling ice to individual tents where ice boxes kept milk cold, sometimes people would give me a quarter for pulling the wagon to their tent with a huge block of ice on board.
Redwood Creek is an amazing campmeeting too with a stunning setting in the middle of Redwoods.
Going to camp meeting was the only vacation we ever took when I was little, vacation was not something discussed, sort of like people in our area never got braces, that came later, thank goodness. The dentists needed the money!
I sort of like this time in life, no one expects you to do much lifting due to age and forgotten appointments can be blamed on a slowing mind, younger people sort of look out for you a little bit. It is also a sad time, a time when I can no longer bail everyone out financially, now I exist from week to week and hope, pray for better times. Yet compared to the majority of the people living in this old world we here in America are rich and blessed with the comforts of life.
This evening I'm feeling very tired, the week has been long, the work stressful, so many things have changed recently, got to remember every little thing or get it bounced back at you.
What I am feeling tonight is relief that for 24 hours our minds can rise to a higher plain, that work can be replaced by rest and peace.
May you enjoy your life this weekend. Share a hug, give a compliment, touch with love, do your best.
Love
tim
This week has brought me orders, good news at WW with more weight lost, recovery from illness that hovered over me last weekend, a kind visitor comes to visit, the temperature has been more livable.
Bad patches are the constant coughing, the boat breakdown in the delta leaving my little family stranded, my finding them in the van across fields and dirt roads, everyone safe!
I'm not sure that I've helped anyone this week when I stop to think about it, too bad.
Tonight it would be fun to be at campmeeting at Soquel with good speakers, seeing old friends, listening to great music. I've always enjoyed campmeetings, nearly my whole life, I used to go to Gladstone near Portland every year and grew up helping the ministers set up and tear down campmeeting. I was in every meeting, got to sing as a boy soprano for the adult tent where thousands gathered. It was a good experience for a little farm boy. I had my first kiss between rows of tents, my first experience making money hauling ice to individual tents where ice boxes kept milk cold, sometimes people would give me a quarter for pulling the wagon to their tent with a huge block of ice on board.
Redwood Creek is an amazing campmeeting too with a stunning setting in the middle of Redwoods.
Going to camp meeting was the only vacation we ever took when I was little, vacation was not something discussed, sort of like people in our area never got braces, that came later, thank goodness. The dentists needed the money!
I sort of like this time in life, no one expects you to do much lifting due to age and forgotten appointments can be blamed on a slowing mind, younger people sort of look out for you a little bit. It is also a sad time, a time when I can no longer bail everyone out financially, now I exist from week to week and hope, pray for better times. Yet compared to the majority of the people living in this old world we here in America are rich and blessed with the comforts of life.
This evening I'm feeling very tired, the week has been long, the work stressful, so many things have changed recently, got to remember every little thing or get it bounced back at you.
What I am feeling tonight is relief that for 24 hours our minds can rise to a higher plain, that work can be replaced by rest and peace.
May you enjoy your life this weekend. Share a hug, give a compliment, touch with love, do your best.
Love
tim
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Working hard
Good evening
I'm on my way to bed but thought I would drop you a line as I leave the office.
Today included a walk at 6:30, then fast trip to Dr. office to have my ears power washed, it sure felt like it. Then to Oakley to see a nice little house, quick stop at Taco Bell for a burrito and home to work.
The day has sped by as I cranked out reports. A call came in from a friend who needed a second appraisal on a property and she was allowed to order from the appraiser of her choice. So I saw the property at 5:30 and I just emailed the finished product to her now at 10:30. I walked to the appointment, it was that near. Nice lake house and I've discovered that the values on the lake are rising a bit, more like $300 now instead of $245 the last time I looked, that is $300,000. Of course they used to be $625,000 but times do change.
Marilyn had a quiet day. She went grocery shopping and fixed a wonderful dinner tonight, so yummy.
I believe Steve and Nikki are camping tonight in Felton but they could be going down in the morning. Keanna had soccer practice this afternoon and was so excited, wanted me to come watch, I wanted to but right now the work load has turned heavy for a few days and I have to keep up or it will go away.
Jason and Jo were driving back with friends from Vegas today and were nearing home when we talked. They have had a great time.
Tomorrow promises to be yet another very busy day for which I am very thankful. Bills get paid by working, not kicking back and I like to work.
Sending love to all,
Tim
I'm on my way to bed but thought I would drop you a line as I leave the office.
Today included a walk at 6:30, then fast trip to Dr. office to have my ears power washed, it sure felt like it. Then to Oakley to see a nice little house, quick stop at Taco Bell for a burrito and home to work.
The day has sped by as I cranked out reports. A call came in from a friend who needed a second appraisal on a property and she was allowed to order from the appraiser of her choice. So I saw the property at 5:30 and I just emailed the finished product to her now at 10:30. I walked to the appointment, it was that near. Nice lake house and I've discovered that the values on the lake are rising a bit, more like $300 now instead of $245 the last time I looked, that is $300,000. Of course they used to be $625,000 but times do change.
Marilyn had a quiet day. She went grocery shopping and fixed a wonderful dinner tonight, so yummy.
I believe Steve and Nikki are camping tonight in Felton but they could be going down in the morning. Keanna had soccer practice this afternoon and was so excited, wanted me to come watch, I wanted to but right now the work load has turned heavy for a few days and I have to keep up or it will go away.
Jason and Jo were driving back with friends from Vegas today and were nearing home when we talked. They have had a great time.
Tomorrow promises to be yet another very busy day for which I am very thankful. Bills get paid by working, not kicking back and I like to work.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Marilyn arrives
Dear Family and Friends,
Tonight the house is not quiet, it is filled with the sounds of friends catching up on each others lives. Marilyn left her home in Rhode Island early this morning and arrived in Oakland this afternoon at 3:20. For those of you who might not know who Marilyn is, she is a friend that goes back about 36 years. She and her husband Walt were the caretakers for Sacramento Central SDA Church. Nan and I were assigned to that church after leaving the seminary in Michigan. I was the busy youth pastor and Nan was the happy mother of a little girl Nikki. Marilyn and Walt gave birth to Laurie shortly after Nikki was born. We enjoyed a great friendship with them both at work and on youth trips, Saturday nights and any chance we had to get together. Walt and Marilyn eventually moved to Rhode Island to care for his aging and ailing mother. When she passed away her house became their home and they built a new life there. Walt died several years ago and Marilyn has ended living in the same house but with her married daughter, a 10 year son and a very energetic son in law. For Marilyn coming to visit here means a break from family and a chance to see her California friends and family.
When Nan was becoming more and more fragile and needed someone with her during the day Marilyn kindly offered to come and sit with her. They had wonderful times watching old movies, QVC and taking naps in reclining chairs. Marilyn helped at a crucial time when I had to go out to see properties and yet have Nan cared for. She was here through the end times and was heroic in her care and compassion in Nan's final weeks. I've never seen a stronger example of genuine love than that demonstrated by Marilyn in her care and friendship with Nan. She was a gift from God to us both and our family will never forget her help.
Now Marilyn pursues her excitement in gambling halls, with her rowdy sisters and her special friend Diane. She usually makes it to the California State Fair and she never misses General Hospital. Last night when she should have been sleeping she was on the phone urging me to program the DVR so she would not miss today's exciting episode. Sure enough she watched it this evening once she settled into the recliner.
Suddenly I've gone from no work to plenty, enough to cover the next few days at least. I am thankful for the work and God has seen fit to send me work from some unlikely places but work is work and I'll be busy keeping up.
This morning I skipped the walk, worked hard on the report that was due today, then went and inspected two homes locally, then drove back home and finished the report just as I needed to leave for the airport. I am discovering that our local market is beginning to fall in value once again. At this point its only a few thousand less for homes than a few months ago but the trend is not good. I see no signs of a recovering economy, only short sales, REOs and sadness for so many people. Our current government knows two things, how to spend and how to tax. We will be hit with nearly 50 new taxes come January. At this point I'm glad I don't have regular salary employees, who could afford the new taxes that are being levied? Please keep up with what is happening and plan to vote, to support individuals who understand how to downsize the federal mess instead of growing it ever larger. Our votes do matter, our opinions count, our love of this country needs to be expressed.
On my own health front today has been a regression. I've coughed a great deal today, used up boxes of tissues, felt just able to function. I'm sure not over whatever I had.
Today has been so pleasant weather wise, The big AC hardly came on all day and measuring houses was not so bad. One was huge and took awhile while the second one was in Summerset, a 55 and over community. The second place had landscaping that was filled with sap, it was all over my hands, the clipboard, the paper on the clipboard when I completed the measuring process. What a mess.
Well now its time for bed.
love
tim
Tonight the house is not quiet, it is filled with the sounds of friends catching up on each others lives. Marilyn left her home in Rhode Island early this morning and arrived in Oakland this afternoon at 3:20. For those of you who might not know who Marilyn is, she is a friend that goes back about 36 years. She and her husband Walt were the caretakers for Sacramento Central SDA Church. Nan and I were assigned to that church after leaving the seminary in Michigan. I was the busy youth pastor and Nan was the happy mother of a little girl Nikki. Marilyn and Walt gave birth to Laurie shortly after Nikki was born. We enjoyed a great friendship with them both at work and on youth trips, Saturday nights and any chance we had to get together. Walt and Marilyn eventually moved to Rhode Island to care for his aging and ailing mother. When she passed away her house became their home and they built a new life there. Walt died several years ago and Marilyn has ended living in the same house but with her married daughter, a 10 year son and a very energetic son in law. For Marilyn coming to visit here means a break from family and a chance to see her California friends and family.
When Nan was becoming more and more fragile and needed someone with her during the day Marilyn kindly offered to come and sit with her. They had wonderful times watching old movies, QVC and taking naps in reclining chairs. Marilyn helped at a crucial time when I had to go out to see properties and yet have Nan cared for. She was here through the end times and was heroic in her care and compassion in Nan's final weeks. I've never seen a stronger example of genuine love than that demonstrated by Marilyn in her care and friendship with Nan. She was a gift from God to us both and our family will never forget her help.
Now Marilyn pursues her excitement in gambling halls, with her rowdy sisters and her special friend Diane. She usually makes it to the California State Fair and she never misses General Hospital. Last night when she should have been sleeping she was on the phone urging me to program the DVR so she would not miss today's exciting episode. Sure enough she watched it this evening once she settled into the recliner.
Suddenly I've gone from no work to plenty, enough to cover the next few days at least. I am thankful for the work and God has seen fit to send me work from some unlikely places but work is work and I'll be busy keeping up.
This morning I skipped the walk, worked hard on the report that was due today, then went and inspected two homes locally, then drove back home and finished the report just as I needed to leave for the airport. I am discovering that our local market is beginning to fall in value once again. At this point its only a few thousand less for homes than a few months ago but the trend is not good. I see no signs of a recovering economy, only short sales, REOs and sadness for so many people. Our current government knows two things, how to spend and how to tax. We will be hit with nearly 50 new taxes come January. At this point I'm glad I don't have regular salary employees, who could afford the new taxes that are being levied? Please keep up with what is happening and plan to vote, to support individuals who understand how to downsize the federal mess instead of growing it ever larger. Our votes do matter, our opinions count, our love of this country needs to be expressed.
On my own health front today has been a regression. I've coughed a great deal today, used up boxes of tissues, felt just able to function. I'm sure not over whatever I had.
Today has been so pleasant weather wise, The big AC hardly came on all day and measuring houses was not so bad. One was huge and took awhile while the second one was in Summerset, a 55 and over community. The second place had landscaping that was filled with sap, it was all over my hands, the clipboard, the paper on the clipboard when I completed the measuring process. What a mess.
Well now its time for bed.
love
tim
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Delta Breakdown
Dear Family and Friends,
This has been a pretty busy day. After walking the normal 3 miles I decided to tidy the boat up a bit since Steve was coming later to take it out into the Delta. So I pulled out the tow dolly, then the dead rototiller, then backed the van and hooked up the boat. None of this was easy, its all heavy work. I pulled the boat out, the tires were low on the trailer, the boat itself was full of leaves and dirty from two years of neglect. After getting it out to the driveway I hooked up the device that forces water into the water pump and lets you run the boat on dry land. After some cranking over it started but never smoothed out and refused to idle. I headed out for fuel thinking fresh fuel might make it run better, Steve brought fuel too and it seemed to run a bit better after that. Steve hooked with his truck and with Keanna's help they headed home.
Later in the day Nikki and the girls joined him in the boat as well as two of his friends. He hooked up the barefoot device is a long arm off the side of the boat that learning barefooters can hold onto and try their skills at barefooting.
Later in the day Nikki called to calmly say they had broken down, the boat would not run. So with their directions in my head I grabbed the van and drove to where I thought they were marooned next to the levee. At first I was on the wrong side, a couple miles from them but eventually I was able to locate them and loaded up Nikki, Kallie and Keanna plus one of the guys who intended to go to his house in Brentwood and get a little metal boat, launch it and come to the rescue. However on the way home a mutual friend called to say he could go help even though he had to leave the house where in laws were visiting. What a guy!
At this point I believe they are all home but the boat needs professional attention. After sitting for two years there are probably little parts in the Holley 4 barrel carb that needs to be cleaned out.
I was so impressed with the calmness everyone exhibited, certainly much calmer than I would have been. And I am very thankful that no one was hurt. Also I'm relieved that there were these dusty roads across huge fields of crops I could drive on to get to them. Nikki knew that I would find them and it all worked out but I really feel bad that I didn't have it in better working order. I let them down, that is a bummer.
Jason called from Vegas where he is attending classes, yea right! Party boy. Jo and Timothy are there as well and it has been real warm for them. They are there with their close friends so I'm sure they are having a very great time.
God answered my prayers today. Within a 2 hour time period while I was out working on the boat, cleaning it up and rolling it out 3 new orders came in. One is amusing, its a FHA that they want back in two days and they are paying not $450 the normal fee or even $350, no they are paying $290. However one of the orders is paying a rush fee so that will help. I was so overwhelmed by how they all came at once.
Now I have to get busy and just when I have company coming. Marilyn is arriving tomorrow at 3 at the Oakland airport. Yes I finally broke down and installed her little AC in her room today. Otherwise she would have been very warm upon arrival. You know I forgot just how heavy those little room ACs are but I was more capable of managing it than in past years.
This morning before I went outside to get the boat out I was drawn to the frig once again. I started removing panels, tubes and eventually I got to the diffuser door which did not seem to be working very well, or at all. The instructions sort of explained how to remove the offending device and finally I figured it out. To be honest I do a lot of praying when I'm facing hard tasks and they always work out. So now the door is on the table and cool air is making its way into the frig and the ambient temperature is down to about 40 once again. Once I get some money I'll buy a replacement part and see if it solves the problem. Right now duct tape is covering about 1/2 of the opening. The instructions said not to let too much cold air in or the items in the frig would freeze. I'm no where close to that yet.
Today I treated myself to a drink of Welches Concord Grape juice, the real stuff, no sugar or fake stuff. What a deep and robust flavor, what a joy.
So as you can see from my comments it has been a busy day but a rewarding one. The boat failure was a huge disappointment for the kids and for me too. But they are all safe and no even sunburned, chart that one up to Nikki, she is great about keeping protecting spray and cream on the kidos. It felt so good to pull up and there was Keanna on the levee, she was delighted to see me and then there was Kallie, yelling Papa from the boat. That is the worlds best music, grandchildren's loving words.
Night to all,
love
tim
This has been a pretty busy day. After walking the normal 3 miles I decided to tidy the boat up a bit since Steve was coming later to take it out into the Delta. So I pulled out the tow dolly, then the dead rototiller, then backed the van and hooked up the boat. None of this was easy, its all heavy work. I pulled the boat out, the tires were low on the trailer, the boat itself was full of leaves and dirty from two years of neglect. After getting it out to the driveway I hooked up the device that forces water into the water pump and lets you run the boat on dry land. After some cranking over it started but never smoothed out and refused to idle. I headed out for fuel thinking fresh fuel might make it run better, Steve brought fuel too and it seemed to run a bit better after that. Steve hooked with his truck and with Keanna's help they headed home.
Later in the day Nikki and the girls joined him in the boat as well as two of his friends. He hooked up the barefoot device is a long arm off the side of the boat that learning barefooters can hold onto and try their skills at barefooting.
Later in the day Nikki called to calmly say they had broken down, the boat would not run. So with their directions in my head I grabbed the van and drove to where I thought they were marooned next to the levee. At first I was on the wrong side, a couple miles from them but eventually I was able to locate them and loaded up Nikki, Kallie and Keanna plus one of the guys who intended to go to his house in Brentwood and get a little metal boat, launch it and come to the rescue. However on the way home a mutual friend called to say he could go help even though he had to leave the house where in laws were visiting. What a guy!
At this point I believe they are all home but the boat needs professional attention. After sitting for two years there are probably little parts in the Holley 4 barrel carb that needs to be cleaned out.
I was so impressed with the calmness everyone exhibited, certainly much calmer than I would have been. And I am very thankful that no one was hurt. Also I'm relieved that there were these dusty roads across huge fields of crops I could drive on to get to them. Nikki knew that I would find them and it all worked out but I really feel bad that I didn't have it in better working order. I let them down, that is a bummer.
Jason called from Vegas where he is attending classes, yea right! Party boy. Jo and Timothy are there as well and it has been real warm for them. They are there with their close friends so I'm sure they are having a very great time.
God answered my prayers today. Within a 2 hour time period while I was out working on the boat, cleaning it up and rolling it out 3 new orders came in. One is amusing, its a FHA that they want back in two days and they are paying not $450 the normal fee or even $350, no they are paying $290. However one of the orders is paying a rush fee so that will help. I was so overwhelmed by how they all came at once.
Now I have to get busy and just when I have company coming. Marilyn is arriving tomorrow at 3 at the Oakland airport. Yes I finally broke down and installed her little AC in her room today. Otherwise she would have been very warm upon arrival. You know I forgot just how heavy those little room ACs are but I was more capable of managing it than in past years.
This morning before I went outside to get the boat out I was drawn to the frig once again. I started removing panels, tubes and eventually I got to the diffuser door which did not seem to be working very well, or at all. The instructions sort of explained how to remove the offending device and finally I figured it out. To be honest I do a lot of praying when I'm facing hard tasks and they always work out. So now the door is on the table and cool air is making its way into the frig and the ambient temperature is down to about 40 once again. Once I get some money I'll buy a replacement part and see if it solves the problem. Right now duct tape is covering about 1/2 of the opening. The instructions said not to let too much cold air in or the items in the frig would freeze. I'm no where close to that yet.
Today I treated myself to a drink of Welches Concord Grape juice, the real stuff, no sugar or fake stuff. What a deep and robust flavor, what a joy.
So as you can see from my comments it has been a busy day but a rewarding one. The boat failure was a huge disappointment for the kids and for me too. But they are all safe and no even sunburned, chart that one up to Nikki, she is great about keeping protecting spray and cream on the kidos. It felt so good to pull up and there was Keanna on the levee, she was delighted to see me and then there was Kallie, yelling Papa from the boat. That is the worlds best music, grandchildren's loving words.
Night to all,
love
tim
Monday, July 19, 2010
19 pounds and counting
6 am Walk
8 am In Dr. Jim's office
9 am See Dr. Jim, get Avelox samples
10 am inspect Attic in Oakley
12 Inspect house in Mountain House
2 pm work in office, nap
5 pm go to Weight Watchers, great news down 2.6 lbs for a grand total of 19 so far
6 pm go to the club and work out
7:30 home and be lazy
10:30 blog and bed
Yes I feel much better today even before the antibiotic kicks in. Jim said try 6 days and see if recovery has happened, if not get prescription and take another 6 days.
The weather is cooler today but Jason text ed from Las Vegas where he and Jo are attending meetings for continuing education that it is very hot there. I can only imagine. I've been in Vegas when you walk across parking lots and the asphalt is soft under your feet.
Steve says we are going to take the boat out tomorrow, should be fun if it will run right, we will see. I have the battery charging right now for the night.
Still no new orders to work up. Tomorrow I will write up two and do the boating thing with Steve and the Kidos.
Nice to feel better. Refrigerator has been misbehaving. Last night I vacuumed a nest of dog hair from the coils but this morning it was still 55 degrees, then this afternoon and I tweaked it here and there it was down to 39, now I'm not sure what it is doing. I think I know the broken part, just not sure how to get to it. Fun fun.
Love to all,
Tim
8 am In Dr. Jim's office
9 am See Dr. Jim, get Avelox samples
10 am inspect Attic in Oakley
12 Inspect house in Mountain House
2 pm work in office, nap
5 pm go to Weight Watchers, great news down 2.6 lbs for a grand total of 19 so far
6 pm go to the club and work out
7:30 home and be lazy
10:30 blog and bed
Yes I feel much better today even before the antibiotic kicks in. Jim said try 6 days and see if recovery has happened, if not get prescription and take another 6 days.
The weather is cooler today but Jason text ed from Las Vegas where he and Jo are attending meetings for continuing education that it is very hot there. I can only imagine. I've been in Vegas when you walk across parking lots and the asphalt is soft under your feet.
Steve says we are going to take the boat out tomorrow, should be fun if it will run right, we will see. I have the battery charging right now for the night.
Still no new orders to work up. Tomorrow I will write up two and do the boating thing with Steve and the Kidos.
Nice to feel better. Refrigerator has been misbehaving. Last night I vacuumed a nest of dog hair from the coils but this morning it was still 55 degrees, then this afternoon and I tweaked it here and there it was down to 39, now I'm not sure what it is doing. I think I know the broken part, just not sure how to get to it. Fun fun.
Love to all,
Tim
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Recovery Sunday
Dear Family and Friends,
I'm writing early this evening to make up for the very late post last night. In spite of being pretty ill I slept very well from 2 until 6:44 when the alarm reminded me I was walking with Ken at 7. We walked, well I staggered and once arriving at home I moved a used chaise lounge I bought for $10 to the back deck and proceeded to nap for the next two hours in the cool morning air. I had the little radio I keep on the breakfast table beside me playing glorious classical music and the two hours were well spent.
Eventually I woke up and came in to make a small breakfast with lots of fruit. After some money was delivered to my front door I took my shopping list and headed out the door. Since the kitchen sink was plugged solid a plunger was the first item on the list. Then I went to Food Max and picked up a few things. Frankly I'm tired of never having anything to drink so I purchased a gallon of OJ and gallon of Concord grape juice. I know I can't go crazy due to the sugar and the calories but I'm tired of never having anything to drink. I also picked up some more fruit.
My next stop was at Target where I planned to purchase some little Tupperware type plastic containers to hold pasta, great idea but they had nothing like that, I'm not sure where to look. I found lovely little bugs in the whole wheat pasta so that is in the trash.
Once I arrived home I began to work on the plugged drain. It was stubborn and would not yield to the power of the plunger alone so I started to disassemble it and finally it gave way, nice stuff! Then of course I had to clean the kitchen, load the dishwasher, clean the cabinets. With that work done I discovered that the frig is running about 50 to 60 degrees instead of in the 40s. Jo was right when she commented on it not running cool enough. I think there is some basic maintenance I might need to do under the frig to allow it to work better. I'll check the web and find out.
I have a wonderful doctor appointment tomorrow morning at 8 am with Dr. Jim. Hopefully a course of antibiotics will nip this sickness in the bud so I can be ready for all the new orders that are about to roll in!!
I do this think with fruit in a huge Tupperware, I wash the grapes, add in melon pieces, strawberries, black berries and just pop the lid anytime I'm hungry. There is nothing like good fruit to enjoy.
So here comes a new week, ready or not. Lets give it our best and let God guide us as we plod along.
Love
tim
I'm writing early this evening to make up for the very late post last night. In spite of being pretty ill I slept very well from 2 until 6:44 when the alarm reminded me I was walking with Ken at 7. We walked, well I staggered and once arriving at home I moved a used chaise lounge I bought for $10 to the back deck and proceeded to nap for the next two hours in the cool morning air. I had the little radio I keep on the breakfast table beside me playing glorious classical music and the two hours were well spent.
Eventually I woke up and came in to make a small breakfast with lots of fruit. After some money was delivered to my front door I took my shopping list and headed out the door. Since the kitchen sink was plugged solid a plunger was the first item on the list. Then I went to Food Max and picked up a few things. Frankly I'm tired of never having anything to drink so I purchased a gallon of OJ and gallon of Concord grape juice. I know I can't go crazy due to the sugar and the calories but I'm tired of never having anything to drink. I also picked up some more fruit.
My next stop was at Target where I planned to purchase some little Tupperware type plastic containers to hold pasta, great idea but they had nothing like that, I'm not sure where to look. I found lovely little bugs in the whole wheat pasta so that is in the trash.
Once I arrived home I began to work on the plugged drain. It was stubborn and would not yield to the power of the plunger alone so I started to disassemble it and finally it gave way, nice stuff! Then of course I had to clean the kitchen, load the dishwasher, clean the cabinets. With that work done I discovered that the frig is running about 50 to 60 degrees instead of in the 40s. Jo was right when she commented on it not running cool enough. I think there is some basic maintenance I might need to do under the frig to allow it to work better. I'll check the web and find out.
I have a wonderful doctor appointment tomorrow morning at 8 am with Dr. Jim. Hopefully a course of antibiotics will nip this sickness in the bud so I can be ready for all the new orders that are about to roll in!!
I do this think with fruit in a huge Tupperware, I wash the grapes, add in melon pieces, strawberries, black berries and just pop the lid anytime I'm hungry. There is nothing like good fruit to enjoy.
So here comes a new week, ready or not. Lets give it our best and let God guide us as we plod along.
Love
tim
Very ill
Dear Family and Friends,
I'm just back from a delightful evening with Kallie and Keanna. They did fashion shows, gymnastic movements, sing and dance routines. What fun to watch them in action and when it was bed time they headed right in. Nikki and Steve have done a pretty good job with them, lots of fun. However I just hope that my wearing a mask and not touching them will keep them from getting my bronchitas. I am in the running stage now, the nose is running constantly and the stuffed head feels awful. My ears hurt, my teeth even hurt, my jaws hurt, you get the picture. Nikki and Steve attended a wedding for dear friends who live around the corner and had arranged with me long ago to be there tonight. I just felt bad that I felt so bad, if they get sick I'll really feel bad.
Ken and I walked this morning, you know, Art walked too but he hiked a mountain this morning and in Indio the temp was a little higher, like 95 by the end of his hike. Yikes.
I went to church today, sat alone to avoid inflicting people with my malady. The pastor was in rare form and did a great job of keeping me awake most of the time.
Please pray that I can find a quick healing to this illness. Thanks in advance.
love
tim
I'm just back from a delightful evening with Kallie and Keanna. They did fashion shows, gymnastic movements, sing and dance routines. What fun to watch them in action and when it was bed time they headed right in. Nikki and Steve have done a pretty good job with them, lots of fun. However I just hope that my wearing a mask and not touching them will keep them from getting my bronchitas. I am in the running stage now, the nose is running constantly and the stuffed head feels awful. My ears hurt, my teeth even hurt, my jaws hurt, you get the picture. Nikki and Steve attended a wedding for dear friends who live around the corner and had arranged with me long ago to be there tonight. I just felt bad that I felt so bad, if they get sick I'll really feel bad.
Ken and I walked this morning, you know, Art walked too but he hiked a mountain this morning and in Indio the temp was a little higher, like 95 by the end of his hike. Yikes.
I went to church today, sat alone to avoid inflicting people with my malady. The pastor was in rare form and did a great job of keeping me awake most of the time.
Please pray that I can find a quick healing to this illness. Thanks in advance.
love
tim
Friday, July 16, 2010
Under the weather
Good evening
It has been a rough day. I woke with a raw throat, stuffy head, congested chest and fever. Since I had work to do I came down and started. After a bit of breakfast it was back to the office and by early afternoon I had completed a really tough high value one for Discovery Bay. The carrot held out in front of me was a healthy fee for doing it quickly. Well I'm still waiting for the carrot but know the person who ordered it I will see it for sure.
Then I started working on a second one that the people suddenly decided during the day they needed this afternoon. I had commited to helping a friend with a task so I did that and then drove back to continue working. At 5:35 I finally completed the second report. It was only will power that kept me in the chair as I felt totally lousy all day, chest tightness, head ache, you know how it feels.
Once the work was completed I just collapsed in the recliner and made some fresh brentwood corn in the microwave, it turned out perfect and enjoyed some more tomatoes, they are so good.
Now its bed time and I'll try a walk with Ken in the morning, not sure how I'll feel then, I hope much better.
It has been a pretty depressing week come to think of it. I'm not willing to go on like this for ever. The high points of the week revolve around getting to help with the kidos and the phone calls from friends and family. Just now I spoke to Jerry and discovered that even in Weed at 4,000 feet it was over 100 today. That is highly unusual and when I spoke to Art this morning he reported that in Indio it was already 80 at 8 am and heading for 114 today.
So good night to all, hope you are cool and comfortable.
Love
Tim
It has been a rough day. I woke with a raw throat, stuffy head, congested chest and fever. Since I had work to do I came down and started. After a bit of breakfast it was back to the office and by early afternoon I had completed a really tough high value one for Discovery Bay. The carrot held out in front of me was a healthy fee for doing it quickly. Well I'm still waiting for the carrot but know the person who ordered it I will see it for sure.
Then I started working on a second one that the people suddenly decided during the day they needed this afternoon. I had commited to helping a friend with a task so I did that and then drove back to continue working. At 5:35 I finally completed the second report. It was only will power that kept me in the chair as I felt totally lousy all day, chest tightness, head ache, you know how it feels.
Once the work was completed I just collapsed in the recliner and made some fresh brentwood corn in the microwave, it turned out perfect and enjoyed some more tomatoes, they are so good.
Now its bed time and I'll try a walk with Ken in the morning, not sure how I'll feel then, I hope much better.
It has been a pretty depressing week come to think of it. I'm not willing to go on like this for ever. The high points of the week revolve around getting to help with the kidos and the phone calls from friends and family. Just now I spoke to Jerry and discovered that even in Weed at 4,000 feet it was over 100 today. That is highly unusual and when I spoke to Art this morning he reported that in Indio it was already 80 at 8 am and heading for 114 today.
So good night to all, hope you are cool and comfortable.
Love
Tim
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Kallie comes to visit, fun!
Dear Family and Friends,
This morning Kallie came to visit. I brought her home after taking Keanna to Brentwood to her summer camp at the gym. Kallie played nicely and was a total joy to have visit. She enjoyed the little bottles from Kevin's Ahns wedding, weddings that contained soap for blowing bubbles. Sylvia had brought a couple bottles for the girls and Kallie found them. As she tried she learned quickly how to direct her little blows and soon could make scads of bubbles which she directed at me or Starr or the fan. It was incredibly cute to observe her doing so well with a task that requires motor skills and coordination. She also played for a long time with the doll house which is not stationed in the living room. Around noon I took her home and she willingly went to bed and slept nearly two hours. Steve finished his work and arrived home after she had been down for an hour so I was able to come home to work. It was an honor and a delight to care for her and reminded me of things that are not purchased with money, are not work related, are not vital to anyone other than she and I. Yet when I tell her she is loved and care for her and listen to her I think I'm investing in the future in a way unlike anything else I do. It feels good.
This afternoon I was asked to see a house located less than a block from where I live. The last time I saw it the value was 1.6 million. This time it will be a lot less due to the nasty economy. The home is so nicely completed, every piece of workwork is professionally created, stained, the home is a master piece. It was fun to meet the new owner. His business is to supply a vast array of parts for vintage T Birds and it is big business. He has many employees, creates parts in several different countries and has an inventory worth 4.5 million dollars. Its nice to meet your neighbors and this guy is really nice.
I've been so tired today, I don't know why but I'm heading up to bed right now, yes at 9:30 and sleeping in until I wake up in the morning. I know I am fighting depression due to the lack of work and mounting stack of bills but having Kallie was a wonderful dose of reality, the real stuff that is precious in life. At times I just grow very tired of existing and long to have a life again. Yet we all face challenges, just different for different people and I know God cares, I'm not sure why He should but I still am stubborn enough to believe that He keeps His word and does care.
So I send my love to you dear reader,
Tim
This morning Kallie came to visit. I brought her home after taking Keanna to Brentwood to her summer camp at the gym. Kallie played nicely and was a total joy to have visit. She enjoyed the little bottles from Kevin's Ahns wedding, weddings that contained soap for blowing bubbles. Sylvia had brought a couple bottles for the girls and Kallie found them. As she tried she learned quickly how to direct her little blows and soon could make scads of bubbles which she directed at me or Starr or the fan. It was incredibly cute to observe her doing so well with a task that requires motor skills and coordination. She also played for a long time with the doll house which is not stationed in the living room. Around noon I took her home and she willingly went to bed and slept nearly two hours. Steve finished his work and arrived home after she had been down for an hour so I was able to come home to work. It was an honor and a delight to care for her and reminded me of things that are not purchased with money, are not work related, are not vital to anyone other than she and I. Yet when I tell her she is loved and care for her and listen to her I think I'm investing in the future in a way unlike anything else I do. It feels good.
This afternoon I was asked to see a house located less than a block from where I live. The last time I saw it the value was 1.6 million. This time it will be a lot less due to the nasty economy. The home is so nicely completed, every piece of workwork is professionally created, stained, the home is a master piece. It was fun to meet the new owner. His business is to supply a vast array of parts for vintage T Birds and it is big business. He has many employees, creates parts in several different countries and has an inventory worth 4.5 million dollars. Its nice to meet your neighbors and this guy is really nice.
I've been so tired today, I don't know why but I'm heading up to bed right now, yes at 9:30 and sleeping in until I wake up in the morning. I know I am fighting depression due to the lack of work and mounting stack of bills but having Kallie was a wonderful dose of reality, the real stuff that is precious in life. At times I just grow very tired of existing and long to have a life again. Yet we all face challenges, just different for different people and I know God cares, I'm not sure why He should but I still am stubborn enough to believe that He keeps His word and does care.
So I send my love to you dear reader,
Tim
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Living life at a lower volume
Good evening
Well here I am again preparing to share my day with you. Lets talk about the best part, that was this evening when Nikki and the girls joined me for dinner at the Boardwalk, our local place nestled by the harbor. We all enjoyed our meals and the time to catch up on the days activities. Things are exciting for Nikki at work right now, Steve has been wrestling with Kallie as the baby sitter is on vacation this week and next, Keanna has been at the Black Diamond Gymnastics Center for day camp from 9 to 4 every day and I've been out seeing houses today.
I started this morning with a brisk walk with Ken, then prepared for a trip to Dixson where I inspected a nice house. The husband is a guard at San Quentin and there were two little kidos at the house. Mom was an interesting person and very outgoing, had a nice visit there. Then it was back to Discovery Bay for another inspection on a very warm afternoon. The home was large and in perfect condition, the people very pleasant and moving to Kansas City. He trains engineers for the railroad, a different railroad than my brother Jerry worked for for so many years.
Once I got home the phone rang and it was Nikki tempting me out for dinner, I tempt easy. Once the meal was over and the girls headed home then I came home to mow the lawn and edge it and the evening ended with banana bread over at Ray and Lois's house. It was so good.
Now its bedtime. Tomorrow is my turn at caring for Kallie so Steve can do some of his other work that needs to be completed. I'll take Keanna to camp and then Kallie and I will come back to her house where she can play and I can work with the laptop a bit working on appraisals. Kallie will nap around noon. Somehow it seems only fair that I take my turn with her and give Steve a break. She is at that time, a 2 year old, when she wants to do what she wants and has a hard time accepting any other plan than her own. Makes for interesting moments.
I'm once again praying for work. Once I complete the two I inspected today I'm out of work once again. Oh well I still can sleep fine.
The title of tonight's blog was based on some thinking I was doing today. For my adult life I've lived with Nan and we had an active life of travel, church friends, watching TV, sipping hot drinks together in the morning, just chatting about ideas and plans, taking motorhome trips, looking forward to visitors from Texas and we were very involved in our kids lives lending support where we could. Now it seems I live on a much less interesting level, little social interaction other than with the kids and their kids, no thoughts of a vacation or any interesting projects, no special meals to look forward to. Its like someone turned the volume down on life. The best I can say is, its OK instead of great which is how I describe how life used to be. It was a moment of sadness for me. Its just the way it is.
Love to all
Tim
Well here I am again preparing to share my day with you. Lets talk about the best part, that was this evening when Nikki and the girls joined me for dinner at the Boardwalk, our local place nestled by the harbor. We all enjoyed our meals and the time to catch up on the days activities. Things are exciting for Nikki at work right now, Steve has been wrestling with Kallie as the baby sitter is on vacation this week and next, Keanna has been at the Black Diamond Gymnastics Center for day camp from 9 to 4 every day and I've been out seeing houses today.
I started this morning with a brisk walk with Ken, then prepared for a trip to Dixson where I inspected a nice house. The husband is a guard at San Quentin and there were two little kidos at the house. Mom was an interesting person and very outgoing, had a nice visit there. Then it was back to Discovery Bay for another inspection on a very warm afternoon. The home was large and in perfect condition, the people very pleasant and moving to Kansas City. He trains engineers for the railroad, a different railroad than my brother Jerry worked for for so many years.
Once I got home the phone rang and it was Nikki tempting me out for dinner, I tempt easy. Once the meal was over and the girls headed home then I came home to mow the lawn and edge it and the evening ended with banana bread over at Ray and Lois's house. It was so good.
Now its bedtime. Tomorrow is my turn at caring for Kallie so Steve can do some of his other work that needs to be completed. I'll take Keanna to camp and then Kallie and I will come back to her house where she can play and I can work with the laptop a bit working on appraisals. Kallie will nap around noon. Somehow it seems only fair that I take my turn with her and give Steve a break. She is at that time, a 2 year old, when she wants to do what she wants and has a hard time accepting any other plan than her own. Makes for interesting moments.
I'm once again praying for work. Once I complete the two I inspected today I'm out of work once again. Oh well I still can sleep fine.
The title of tonight's blog was based on some thinking I was doing today. For my adult life I've lived with Nan and we had an active life of travel, church friends, watching TV, sipping hot drinks together in the morning, just chatting about ideas and plans, taking motorhome trips, looking forward to visitors from Texas and we were very involved in our kids lives lending support where we could. Now it seems I live on a much less interesting level, little social interaction other than with the kids and their kids, no thoughts of a vacation or any interesting projects, no special meals to look forward to. Its like someone turned the volume down on life. The best I can say is, its OK instead of great which is how I describe how life used to be. It was a moment of sadness for me. Its just the way it is.
Love to all
Tim
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Cranking them out
Dear Family and Friends,
This will be brief tonight. I'm just back from CostCo and grocery shopping at a cheap store, Food Max. I sort of know my way around there now and often find good deals. I get the water from CostCo since they have the sports bottle I like to drink from. I pretty much keep a bottle at my side at all times and it has helped a lot.
Ken and I walked this morning, then I had a little breakfast on the back deck watching the geese and ducks scurry about. Then it was the commute to the office, about 15 steps. During the day I took in two new orders and wrote two that I had already seen. It felt good to just stay put in the chair and get the work done. Well actually it never feels good to stay in the chair, after a while I actually have pain from sitting.
Our weather was wonderful today, until mid afternoon it stayed around 70 with breezes to move the air about.
Ray did a very nice thing yesterday. I mentioned that the door to the motorhome was closing very hard recently and he took a quick look. Off he went to get something, now how he locates things I don't know but soon he was back and gave the latch a shot of graphite, when he came in the house his hands were shiny black from the slippery stuff but the door closes like butter now, perfect and what a relief as I was thinking new latch etc. Thanks Ray.
Tomorrow I'm off to Dixon, a funky little town near Highway 80 and below Davis a ways. I've worked there often and for awhile it was growing rapidly but of course now its hit with foreclosures and short sales like most every other place. Tomorrow I'm seeing a medium sized home which the young couple are buying from the owner, no realtor involved. It should be interesting. Then its back to Discovery Bay to see a home on Frost street for a relocation company. It is located in a JR Horton development where homes are large, sites are large and REOs dominate. What once was $600,000 is now selling for about $310,000. Doing a relocation appraisal there should be very interesting.
Well I'm now heading to bed and as I do so I wish all of you a peaceful night and a prosperous day tomorrow.
Love
tim
This will be brief tonight. I'm just back from CostCo and grocery shopping at a cheap store, Food Max. I sort of know my way around there now and often find good deals. I get the water from CostCo since they have the sports bottle I like to drink from. I pretty much keep a bottle at my side at all times and it has helped a lot.
Ken and I walked this morning, then I had a little breakfast on the back deck watching the geese and ducks scurry about. Then it was the commute to the office, about 15 steps. During the day I took in two new orders and wrote two that I had already seen. It felt good to just stay put in the chair and get the work done. Well actually it never feels good to stay in the chair, after a while I actually have pain from sitting.
Our weather was wonderful today, until mid afternoon it stayed around 70 with breezes to move the air about.
Ray did a very nice thing yesterday. I mentioned that the door to the motorhome was closing very hard recently and he took a quick look. Off he went to get something, now how he locates things I don't know but soon he was back and gave the latch a shot of graphite, when he came in the house his hands were shiny black from the slippery stuff but the door closes like butter now, perfect and what a relief as I was thinking new latch etc. Thanks Ray.
Tomorrow I'm off to Dixon, a funky little town near Highway 80 and below Davis a ways. I've worked there often and for awhile it was growing rapidly but of course now its hit with foreclosures and short sales like most every other place. Tomorrow I'm seeing a medium sized home which the young couple are buying from the owner, no realtor involved. It should be interesting. Then its back to Discovery Bay to see a home on Frost street for a relocation company. It is located in a JR Horton development where homes are large, sites are large and REOs dominate. What once was $600,000 is now selling for about $310,000. Doing a relocation appraisal there should be very interesting.
Well I'm now heading to bed and as I do so I wish all of you a peaceful night and a prosperous day tomorrow.
Love
tim
Monday, July 12, 2010
Highlights of Trip to See Timothy
Dear Family and Friends,
Here are some photos that partially capture the wonder of grandchildren:
Here are some photos that partially capture the wonder of grandchildren:
Timothy prepares to blow out the camdle as his admiring friend looks on!
Jo, Timothy and Jason
Children gather around newest family member, Fin
Kallie checks out Fin the goldfish
Keanna and Kallie enjoy the party
Remembering back to when Timothy was just a little guy with his Grammy
This morning I woke up at about 7, felt rested and relaxed, the motorhome does that to me. I jumped up and the three of us, Starr, Lady and me went to see the sights on the side yard. Then we began to prepare the motorhome for departure. Soon everything was secured and I backed out onto the road, started and loaded the bug, told Jason and Timothy goodbye and started out but nothing happened. I pushed harder on the pedal and we began to move slowly forward, suddenly I remembered, the hand brake was set in the bug and I was dragging the rear tires. After releasing the brakes it moved much easier. I came home over 17 which is always a challenge in the motorhome. The lanes are narrow, the climb is steep, the traffic is intense but I just took it easy and before long I was on the flat passing through San Jose. On Mission I stopped for a burrito at Taco Bell. I discovered that finding a place to park the motorhome with the bug behind was a challenge. With brunch behind me we set out for home and arrived without any problems around 12:30. I took time to unload the bug, then put the trailer away behind the fence, unload the frig and personal items and then came in to work in the office. With great expectation I took Saturdays mail from the box and found an amazing $5.00 waiting. That was a major letdown. At 2 I remembered to go out to check for today's mail and found two envelops that looked promising. Full payment for 4 appraisals! So I was able to pay several pressing bills including a PG&E that wanted immediate payment. It was a lift to my spirits to find money just when I needed it once again.
At 4pm today I headed to San Mateo, had no traffic, smooth sailing and Lois had downloaded a very interesting book onto the IPOD. The IPOD is an amazing device and plays the books so effortlessly. It made the trip there and back enjoyable. The house I inspected was clean, full of color, flowers and plants, updated and very impressive. The comparable properties were all within a few blocks and this one will be easy for a change.
Now its time to head to bed. The trip was a wonderful reminder that I have much to be thankful for. While it would be nice to have a companion to travel with in the motorhome until that time I'll just be content with the world I now have. I enjoy time spent with all my kids and little kidos. They are all very precious and give me great joy.
Tonight I'm thankful to be home once again and to have had such an uneventful trip both ways. The tow dolly adds versatility to motorhome travel. Now I can not only get there to camp or park but I am not stuck in the motorhome, I am free to explore in the bug once I'm there. Its nice.
Here's to a great week for you, for me as we try to live our lives in a manner that pleases our Heavenly Father. Love to each and every one of you.
Tim
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The big three!
I'm trying to blog from the iPod and it takes a bit longer. In fact I'll finish later. Well now I'm back to my laptop and can write a bit faster.
We had a wonderful time celebrating timothy's big 3rd birthday. He loved the whole day and certainly appreciated his mom and dad's efforts.
We woke late this morning after our very late night. I didn't blog last night because I forgot to do it while I was in the house and then when the kids came home at 2 this morning from an evening out attending a concert in SF I left the laptop in the house and was afraid to go back in to get it for fear of waking them So no blog.
I watched Timothy while they celebrated their 6th anniversary.
This morning we went to a pool complex in Santa Cruz and several other little ones joined us including Nikki and the girls who drove down from Disco Bay. We played in the warm and shallow pool for about 2 hours and then dried off and traveled back to MBA where Jason and Jo had lunch and then the birthday cake. Jason got nice clothes, toys, a new swing and Papa gave him a gold fish, he has named the fish Fin.
This afternoon after all the party goers went home naps were in order. I took the dogs to the beach and watched the eternal waves. Starr and Lady loved it and even played in the waves. Once I got back Jason and Timothy were ready to install the swing.
We made a quick trip to ACE in town and got extra chain, came home and installed it hanging from a limp in the front yard so now Timothy has a wonderful new swing. I had sort of planned to drive home tonight but as the evening progressed the idea of driving home had less and less appeal. So I will load up in the morning and drive home then. I'm not sure if I will try to see the house in San Mateo at noon tomorrow or later in the afternoon.
I have enjoyed my time here very much and felt the warm hospitality of this place and the family.
So now its off to bed, the dogs are ready and STarr has been barking at me as if saying, its bed time Dad, lets go.
Thanks to all who made the day so special and thanks to Nikki for making the long drive down to bring the girls. I just love it when we can all be together.
Love
dad
We had a wonderful time celebrating timothy's big 3rd birthday. He loved the whole day and certainly appreciated his mom and dad's efforts.
We woke late this morning after our very late night. I didn't blog last night because I forgot to do it while I was in the house and then when the kids came home at 2 this morning from an evening out attending a concert in SF I left the laptop in the house and was afraid to go back in to get it for fear of waking them So no blog.
I watched Timothy while they celebrated their 6th anniversary.
This morning we went to a pool complex in Santa Cruz and several other little ones joined us including Nikki and the girls who drove down from Disco Bay. We played in the warm and shallow pool for about 2 hours and then dried off and traveled back to MBA where Jason and Jo had lunch and then the birthday cake. Jason got nice clothes, toys, a new swing and Papa gave him a gold fish, he has named the fish Fin.
This afternoon after all the party goers went home naps were in order. I took the dogs to the beach and watched the eternal waves. Starr and Lady loved it and even played in the waves. Once I got back Jason and Timothy were ready to install the swing.
We made a quick trip to ACE in town and got extra chain, came home and installed it hanging from a limp in the front yard so now Timothy has a wonderful new swing. I had sort of planned to drive home tonight but as the evening progressed the idea of driving home had less and less appeal. So I will load up in the morning and drive home then. I'm not sure if I will try to see the house in San Mateo at noon tomorrow or later in the afternoon.
I have enjoyed my time here very much and felt the warm hospitality of this place and the family.
So now its off to bed, the dogs are ready and STarr has been barking at me as if saying, its bed time Dad, lets go.
Thanks to all who made the day so special and thanks to Nikki for making the long drive down to bring the girls. I just love it when we can all be together.
Love
dad
Friday, July 9, 2010
At MBA
Good evening,
I'm writing from Jason and Jo's breakfast bar, its so great to be here once again. Getting here in one piece as a culmination of a very fractured day is an achievement.
The day started at 5:45 with a loud grinding sound, it was my horrible alarm which I keep across the room so I don't snooze it and sleep on. I staggered across the room, shut it off and next headed for the shower. That felt good, so good that I wasted my breakfast minutes. Once I got downstairs it was time to leave so I grabbed a oat and honey bar and ate on the way. Nikki was ready to leave and Steve was gone already. Once inside I fell asleep for a bit in the recliner and soon Keanna was waking me. She is such a happy camper and eventually told me that Kallie was awake too. I snatched Kallie from her bed which is full of toys, books, blankets and water cups. She helped me dress her and wanted a pull up instead of a regular diaper. Since that is not in my job description I went for the more usual diaper. The little soxs are the hardest thing to put on tiny feet. Have not mastered that yet.
We went down for breakfast and at the head of the stairs I asked Kallie if she wanted to walk down or have me carry her, you really have to watch out since she will sometimes just lunge and jump into your arms.
Once downstairs we fired up the turkey sausages, made toast with jam, poured milk all around and they ate well today. Nikki said they would like pears and they could have eaten the whole can if I had enough time.
First we drove to Sam and Geez, the baby sitting couple and placed Kallie with them, then off to Brentwood where Keanna is attending summer camp this week at the club. She loves it and they love her as well.
Once I had the kidos safely placed then I turned to my work. Today it was seeing a nice home in northern Brentwood and that went smoothly. Then back to get the right fuse for the van which also worked out, then to Kragen to buy the right size ball to pull the tow dolly. Then to Starbucks where I met the guy who is creating my web connection.
After leaving him I headed home to begin putting things in the motorhome and setting up a new order that came in. Then at 2 it was back to Brentwood to pick up Keanna, stop at McDonalds for a snack and back home to unload the new doll house and place it in the living room, Keanna loved it and began to arrange the furniture and dolls. Of course she needed her special popcorn and a sugar free jello. She helped me find things for the trip and watched some Clifford. Soon Nikki arrived and they left shortly thereafter.
It was very hot outside and I needed to face the music, time to hook up the tow dolly, then drive the VW up onto it and learn how to strap everything down to be secure for the drive. One interesting note, I needed to install a larger ball, a 2 and 5/16 inch ball and I could not get the 2 inch ball off no matter how hard I tried. I needed three hands so Nikki provided that third hand in less than a minute it was off, Thanks Nikki. And she didn't even have to get dirty.
I finally finished loading things for the trip about 6:30 and by 7: I was pulling out. Starr had raised such a fuss that I had placed her in the motorhome hours earlier with the AC going. She did not want to miss the trip. Needless to say she is delighted to finally be on the road again and watched me drive the entire trip.
I stopped a couple times early on to make sure everything was tight. After dumping the paddle boat on the last trip I was not so sure of my abilities.
At about 9:30 I pulled in to Jason's yard, unloaded the bug and pulled the motorhome into the driveway. Now I'm set for the night and very thankful to be here, to have the week at an end and grateful for life itself.
I hope you are set to enjoy the Sabbath rest God has planned for you and can spend time with your loved ones, friends and family.
Love to all,
Tim
ps Its about 60 degrees here with fog, can it get any better? This is heaven after the 100 degree at home at least that is what Lois reported.
I'm writing from Jason and Jo's breakfast bar, its so great to be here once again. Getting here in one piece as a culmination of a very fractured day is an achievement.
The day started at 5:45 with a loud grinding sound, it was my horrible alarm which I keep across the room so I don't snooze it and sleep on. I staggered across the room, shut it off and next headed for the shower. That felt good, so good that I wasted my breakfast minutes. Once I got downstairs it was time to leave so I grabbed a oat and honey bar and ate on the way. Nikki was ready to leave and Steve was gone already. Once inside I fell asleep for a bit in the recliner and soon Keanna was waking me. She is such a happy camper and eventually told me that Kallie was awake too. I snatched Kallie from her bed which is full of toys, books, blankets and water cups. She helped me dress her and wanted a pull up instead of a regular diaper. Since that is not in my job description I went for the more usual diaper. The little soxs are the hardest thing to put on tiny feet. Have not mastered that yet.
We went down for breakfast and at the head of the stairs I asked Kallie if she wanted to walk down or have me carry her, you really have to watch out since she will sometimes just lunge and jump into your arms.
Once downstairs we fired up the turkey sausages, made toast with jam, poured milk all around and they ate well today. Nikki said they would like pears and they could have eaten the whole can if I had enough time.
First we drove to Sam and Geez, the baby sitting couple and placed Kallie with them, then off to Brentwood where Keanna is attending summer camp this week at the club. She loves it and they love her as well.
Once I had the kidos safely placed then I turned to my work. Today it was seeing a nice home in northern Brentwood and that went smoothly. Then back to get the right fuse for the van which also worked out, then to Kragen to buy the right size ball to pull the tow dolly. Then to Starbucks where I met the guy who is creating my web connection.
After leaving him I headed home to begin putting things in the motorhome and setting up a new order that came in. Then at 2 it was back to Brentwood to pick up Keanna, stop at McDonalds for a snack and back home to unload the new doll house and place it in the living room, Keanna loved it and began to arrange the furniture and dolls. Of course she needed her special popcorn and a sugar free jello. She helped me find things for the trip and watched some Clifford. Soon Nikki arrived and they left shortly thereafter.
It was very hot outside and I needed to face the music, time to hook up the tow dolly, then drive the VW up onto it and learn how to strap everything down to be secure for the drive. One interesting note, I needed to install a larger ball, a 2 and 5/16 inch ball and I could not get the 2 inch ball off no matter how hard I tried. I needed three hands so Nikki provided that third hand in less than a minute it was off, Thanks Nikki. And she didn't even have to get dirty.
I finally finished loading things for the trip about 6:30 and by 7: I was pulling out. Starr had raised such a fuss that I had placed her in the motorhome hours earlier with the AC going. She did not want to miss the trip. Needless to say she is delighted to finally be on the road again and watched me drive the entire trip.
I stopped a couple times early on to make sure everything was tight. After dumping the paddle boat on the last trip I was not so sure of my abilities.
At about 9:30 I pulled in to Jason's yard, unloaded the bug and pulled the motorhome into the driveway. Now I'm set for the night and very thankful to be here, to have the week at an end and grateful for life itself.
I hope you are set to enjoy the Sabbath rest God has planned for you and can spend time with your loved ones, friends and family.
Love to all,
Tim
ps Its about 60 degrees here with fog, can it get any better? This is heaven after the 100 degree at home at least that is what Lois reported.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Eating chicken, what!
Well imagine my surprise when I discovered that my eggplant was actually chicken, I had taken several bites but each bite seemed more strange, not the usual taste of eggplant but a more uniform texture. Oh they could not have been more nice about it and in seconds I had a new plate with the more typical tasting eggplant. Oh well, we did get a free desert tray with little samples of all the deserts on it. They tasted great but I'm pretty sure the whole meal was not Weight Watchers compliant.
This morning I discovered that I had lost a pound but in the morning I'm pretty sure the scales will say I have found it again. Too bad, I was on such a roll.
Today has been a sit down and work day. Not hearing from Ken I rose and walked by myself today, then prepared for the day and sat down to work. First the ranch one was done and then the relocation one for Suisun City, it felt good to have them done. By then new orders had arrived so I set about to schedule them.
This evening I had dinner with a friend who is going through an exciting time in her life and then back to pick up a new (for us) doll house for my living room. Every home needs one and this one is huge, it took the van to hold it.
Tomorrow I care for the kidos in the morning as Steve has to go to work early. Then I'll do an appraisal in Brentwood using my lock box key, then come home and begin loading up the motorhome, hooking up the tow dolly and putting the car on it for the first time. Later in the afternoon after the kidos are safely back with their parents I'll head out for Jason and Jo's to enjoy Timothy's birthday party and time at the beach.
I had one of those interesting moments today, bank account did not have enough funds to cover the health insurance which comes out automatically whenever they get around to it. And when I picked up the mail only one small thin envelope held any promise yet the amount was more than enough to cover the health insurance whenever it does arrive. For that I'm grateful. I know I would have been crushed if there had been nothing in the mail. Thank you Heavenly Father.
In the morning I am going to meet with Bob who is preparing a web site which could reach more potential clients.
Such is life, pretty exciting, pretty dull, yet it moves forward day by day. How I love to share ideas with people, even gossip if it is good enough.
Good night to all,
love
tim
This morning I discovered that I had lost a pound but in the morning I'm pretty sure the scales will say I have found it again. Too bad, I was on such a roll.
Today has been a sit down and work day. Not hearing from Ken I rose and walked by myself today, then prepared for the day and sat down to work. First the ranch one was done and then the relocation one for Suisun City, it felt good to have them done. By then new orders had arrived so I set about to schedule them.
This evening I had dinner with a friend who is going through an exciting time in her life and then back to pick up a new (for us) doll house for my living room. Every home needs one and this one is huge, it took the van to hold it.
Tomorrow I care for the kidos in the morning as Steve has to go to work early. Then I'll do an appraisal in Brentwood using my lock box key, then come home and begin loading up the motorhome, hooking up the tow dolly and putting the car on it for the first time. Later in the afternoon after the kidos are safely back with their parents I'll head out for Jason and Jo's to enjoy Timothy's birthday party and time at the beach.
I had one of those interesting moments today, bank account did not have enough funds to cover the health insurance which comes out automatically whenever they get around to it. And when I picked up the mail only one small thin envelope held any promise yet the amount was more than enough to cover the health insurance whenever it does arrive. For that I'm grateful. I know I would have been crushed if there had been nothing in the mail. Thank you Heavenly Father.
In the morning I am going to meet with Bob who is preparing a web site which could reach more potential clients.
Such is life, pretty exciting, pretty dull, yet it moves forward day by day. How I love to share ideas with people, even gossip if it is good enough.
Good night to all,
love
tim
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Spin class
Good evening friends and family,
Last night I finally kept my word. I had sensed that for several days I was letting myself slip into old negative patterns of eating too much, too late, staying up too late and losing control of my life. I woke feeling rough, was sluggish and mentally slow, well slower than usual for me! So after Jason and Jo left while I was sort of being lazy I spent some time thinking and formulating a start over plan. A very good feature of weight watchers is to encourage each of us to just start over on a correct path no matter how bad the detour had been.
So in response I've moved away from so much cups of my mocha, more water bottles and back to oatmeal or steel cut oats for breakfast. I've started eating more green beans, brown rice, fresh tomatoes, non fat cottage cheese and strawberries. And a nice thing about weight watchers is in addition to the 32 points I am allowed each day I can add points by exercising. So today I've walked the big 3 with Ken and then this evening ventured out to spin class. Tonight's teacher was new and that was interesting. Nikki popped in to class but she is so much stronger than me. It does not really matter because I'm spinning as fast and strongly as I can and gets benefit and sweat from it. Then I drove home deciding not to go out to dinner and fired up the grill, made a griller and enjoyed it very much. A griller is really pretty good food, lots of protein and little fat.
My next goal is to be 200 lbs. At the moment I've been 218.5 for weeks and its time to move on down. I have several nice jeans and shorts that are size 34. I'm already down from 38 to 36 and enjoying a host of new things to wear.
Work is very slow right now. I did get to see a very nice ranch this morning, about 4,000 Sq.Ft. of house on 5 acres in the country west of Brentwood. Turns out the owners have 6 children of their own and run day care as well. It was a very happy, noisy group of adults and kids and it is obvious that love rules in the home. How fun to discover a happy oasis in this world of ours. It is sort of like finding a beautiful wild flower while hiking or a secret cove when walking the beach. People caring for each other, a very precious find in a busy life. It is a nice side to my profession. I am in many homes each week. Sometimes the people are cool and distant but usually they can be warmed up with the right questions or comments and turned into instant friends. God has blessed me with an ability to talk, often too much, but I can sometimes help people by listening to them or sharing a moment in their lives. I often wish I could make a living by just caring for people but at this point I'm sure how that could happen.
I spoke to Marilyn Titherington who lives in Rhode Island, about an hour from Boston, and she reported that the heat has been terrible lately. They have just one little window AC in their entire house and it is NOT in her room. I helped her alot by mentioning that our temperature was about 80 and a cool breeze was blowing. I'm sure that helped cool her frayed nerves, don't you think. She will be flying west in about 2 weeks to visit. So I will get a chance to catch up on General Hospital once again!
Lois is keeping my IPOD filled with good books to listen to when I drive places, what a treat that is. Of course with no work to do I don't drive places so much these days.
I wish for you to have peace, calm, meaning and love in your life. Take time to linger in nature, listen to good music, not trash but good music that has withstood the tests of time. It is great and makes life more worth living.
love
tim
Last night I finally kept my word. I had sensed that for several days I was letting myself slip into old negative patterns of eating too much, too late, staying up too late and losing control of my life. I woke feeling rough, was sluggish and mentally slow, well slower than usual for me! So after Jason and Jo left while I was sort of being lazy I spent some time thinking and formulating a start over plan. A very good feature of weight watchers is to encourage each of us to just start over on a correct path no matter how bad the detour had been.
So in response I've moved away from so much cups of my mocha, more water bottles and back to oatmeal or steel cut oats for breakfast. I've started eating more green beans, brown rice, fresh tomatoes, non fat cottage cheese and strawberries. And a nice thing about weight watchers is in addition to the 32 points I am allowed each day I can add points by exercising. So today I've walked the big 3 with Ken and then this evening ventured out to spin class. Tonight's teacher was new and that was interesting. Nikki popped in to class but she is so much stronger than me. It does not really matter because I'm spinning as fast and strongly as I can and gets benefit and sweat from it. Then I drove home deciding not to go out to dinner and fired up the grill, made a griller and enjoyed it very much. A griller is really pretty good food, lots of protein and little fat.
My next goal is to be 200 lbs. At the moment I've been 218.5 for weeks and its time to move on down. I have several nice jeans and shorts that are size 34. I'm already down from 38 to 36 and enjoying a host of new things to wear.
Work is very slow right now. I did get to see a very nice ranch this morning, about 4,000 Sq.Ft. of house on 5 acres in the country west of Brentwood. Turns out the owners have 6 children of their own and run day care as well. It was a very happy, noisy group of adults and kids and it is obvious that love rules in the home. How fun to discover a happy oasis in this world of ours. It is sort of like finding a beautiful wild flower while hiking or a secret cove when walking the beach. People caring for each other, a very precious find in a busy life. It is a nice side to my profession. I am in many homes each week. Sometimes the people are cool and distant but usually they can be warmed up with the right questions or comments and turned into instant friends. God has blessed me with an ability to talk, often too much, but I can sometimes help people by listening to them or sharing a moment in their lives. I often wish I could make a living by just caring for people but at this point I'm sure how that could happen.
I spoke to Marilyn Titherington who lives in Rhode Island, about an hour from Boston, and she reported that the heat has been terrible lately. They have just one little window AC in their entire house and it is NOT in her room. I helped her alot by mentioning that our temperature was about 80 and a cool breeze was blowing. I'm sure that helped cool her frayed nerves, don't you think. She will be flying west in about 2 weeks to visit. So I will get a chance to catch up on General Hospital once again!
Lois is keeping my IPOD filled with good books to listen to when I drive places, what a treat that is. Of course with no work to do I don't drive places so much these days.
I wish for you to have peace, calm, meaning and love in your life. Take time to linger in nature, listen to good music, not trash but good music that has withstood the tests of time. It is great and makes life more worth living.
love
tim
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Transitions
Welcome aboard
This evening as we cruise along I see we are approaching a dock up ahead, our voyage today has included a walk with the dogs to the park, then a brief time with the girls as I delivered them to their places. Since I was already at the club this morning I stayed and did a workout on the machines. Then I came home only to fall asleep in my work chair. Ray and Lois tempted me over to their place for some wonderful banana bread and then it was time to drive to Brentwood to collect Keanna from day camp at the club. As I approached the door the person in charge began to rave about Keanna and said they had put her in charge of the other children since she gave orders so well, oh boy did that take me back to yet another blond who sure could dish out the orders and loved to be in charge!
We hit up MacDonalds, can I rant for a minute, wait it is my blog, yes I can rant. The person taking our order had almost no working English and once we had our simple order we discovered it to be wrong so we drove around and tried again this time getting a woman who also had very poor English. Frankly it did not set well with me Learn language before you deal directly with the public!
Once we got home Keanna began to work on a drawing that I had downloaded from a grand parent site on the Internet and I went back to work. One Jello and one bag of popcorn later her mother arrived with Kallie who was full of excitement and had a big hug for papa.
Then I went back to work but mid evening Nikki called to lure me out to UNO's pizza in Antioch. I'm just back and it was so tasty, the company was so fun with Steve, Nikki, Keanna and Kallie all in great moods. Steve was reading a copy of the constitution of the United States and commented from time to time on how far we have drifted from what the founding fathers had in mind for our country.
Tonight I am really going to go to bed early, in fact I'm heading up when I complete the blog, no more late stuff, I just can't function.
It has been an interesting transition today, from leisure and warm fellowship with family back to making a living, yet both are important. One of the people I deal with is a lady named Gina who ordered appraisals for a loan corporation. We have come to share some moments in our life with each other and she was very delighted that I had the family here over the 4th. She shared that so many bad things have happened to their family on or around the 4th that for them it is a dark time. This thing we call life is certainly no picnic. Between the challenges of building and maintaining relationships, of making sure there is a financial basis on which we can live, of finding a balance between living and working, of keeping our faith intact in spite of constant blows that hit us. Life is tough and life is wonderful too.
Love
tim
This evening as we cruise along I see we are approaching a dock up ahead, our voyage today has included a walk with the dogs to the park, then a brief time with the girls as I delivered them to their places. Since I was already at the club this morning I stayed and did a workout on the machines. Then I came home only to fall asleep in my work chair. Ray and Lois tempted me over to their place for some wonderful banana bread and then it was time to drive to Brentwood to collect Keanna from day camp at the club. As I approached the door the person in charge began to rave about Keanna and said they had put her in charge of the other children since she gave orders so well, oh boy did that take me back to yet another blond who sure could dish out the orders and loved to be in charge!
We hit up MacDonalds, can I rant for a minute, wait it is my blog, yes I can rant. The person taking our order had almost no working English and once we had our simple order we discovered it to be wrong so we drove around and tried again this time getting a woman who also had very poor English. Frankly it did not set well with me Learn language before you deal directly with the public!
Once we got home Keanna began to work on a drawing that I had downloaded from a grand parent site on the Internet and I went back to work. One Jello and one bag of popcorn later her mother arrived with Kallie who was full of excitement and had a big hug for papa.
Then I went back to work but mid evening Nikki called to lure me out to UNO's pizza in Antioch. I'm just back and it was so tasty, the company was so fun with Steve, Nikki, Keanna and Kallie all in great moods. Steve was reading a copy of the constitution of the United States and commented from time to time on how far we have drifted from what the founding fathers had in mind for our country.
Tonight I am really going to go to bed early, in fact I'm heading up when I complete the blog, no more late stuff, I just can't function.
It has been an interesting transition today, from leisure and warm fellowship with family back to making a living, yet both are important. One of the people I deal with is a lady named Gina who ordered appraisals for a loan corporation. We have come to share some moments in our life with each other and she was very delighted that I had the family here over the 4th. She shared that so many bad things have happened to their family on or around the 4th that for them it is a dark time. This thing we call life is certainly no picnic. Between the challenges of building and maintaining relationships, of making sure there is a financial basis on which we can live, of finding a balance between living and working, of keeping our faith intact in spite of constant blows that hit us. Life is tough and life is wonderful too.
Love
tim
Monday, July 5, 2010
And then they went home..........
Some things just can't last, like last nights fireworks that flame and burst eventually the sky is dark again with only memories of the glamour and glory of the moment.
Jason and Jo took Timothy and went home today, I was saddened by their departure but heartened by their visit and the fun we had together. Along with Nikki and the girls many happy memories were created and even now are settling into important files in my mind. Suddenly the house was filled with noise, happy sounds of dolls crying, of games being played, of food being eaten, of ducks and geese being fed. What has just happened is a gentle reminder that the future holds happiness, love, peace again. My anger at what we all lost is being replaced with intense longing for what is to come. As long as we live we have hope and anticipation, of dreams and of relationships that will replace sorry with the thrill of what is to come.
Once the kids drove away I sort of fell into a emotional slump and accomplished little the rest of the day, that is unless watching Moby Dick, a movie I've never seen before with Gregory Peck and all without commercials. Sensing that food was needed I mixed brown rice with green beans and little cherry tomatoes left by Jo with cottage cheese. Then I made a tall mocha with banana and many ice cubes. I managed to survive the afternoon, wandered about and picked up things here and there but just felt a huge sense of quiet and aloneness.
Yes on the subject of aloneness in general I'm pretty much a peace with it. Do you know how hard it is to have an argument when you are alone? Or have to decide when to go to bed or what color to paint a wall or what bill to pay first. Its all up to you, just you and sometimes that is pretty good. It is true I have dear friends who challenge me, lift me, question me and encourage me and a very special family with phone calls from both Jason and Nikki this afternoon as well as from Jerry, my brother. How drab life would be without caring family and friends, how boring and empty.
So here comes the week, it will be short and at this point I have three to write up and will see one new one on Wednesday and then make an appointment to see yet another one. When one has had so much fun with family it is sort of hard to shift gears back into a work mode but many of us have to do it so we will.
On Friday I plan to hook up the bug on the tow dolly and drive to Gilroy where I'll pick up a couple new tires and then drive on to Jason and Jo's where I'll enjoy the weekend and attend Timothy's third birthday party. Jason and Jo just celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary last weekend having been married on the 4th of July.
Good night to one and all, I send my love and appreciation for your being in my life.
Tim
Jason and Jo took Timothy and went home today, I was saddened by their departure but heartened by their visit and the fun we had together. Along with Nikki and the girls many happy memories were created and even now are settling into important files in my mind. Suddenly the house was filled with noise, happy sounds of dolls crying, of games being played, of food being eaten, of ducks and geese being fed. What has just happened is a gentle reminder that the future holds happiness, love, peace again. My anger at what we all lost is being replaced with intense longing for what is to come. As long as we live we have hope and anticipation, of dreams and of relationships that will replace sorry with the thrill of what is to come.
Once the kids drove away I sort of fell into a emotional slump and accomplished little the rest of the day, that is unless watching Moby Dick, a movie I've never seen before with Gregory Peck and all without commercials. Sensing that food was needed I mixed brown rice with green beans and little cherry tomatoes left by Jo with cottage cheese. Then I made a tall mocha with banana and many ice cubes. I managed to survive the afternoon, wandered about and picked up things here and there but just felt a huge sense of quiet and aloneness.
Yes on the subject of aloneness in general I'm pretty much a peace with it. Do you know how hard it is to have an argument when you are alone? Or have to decide when to go to bed or what color to paint a wall or what bill to pay first. Its all up to you, just you and sometimes that is pretty good. It is true I have dear friends who challenge me, lift me, question me and encourage me and a very special family with phone calls from both Jason and Nikki this afternoon as well as from Jerry, my brother. How drab life would be without caring family and friends, how boring and empty.
So here comes the week, it will be short and at this point I have three to write up and will see one new one on Wednesday and then make an appointment to see yet another one. When one has had so much fun with family it is sort of hard to shift gears back into a work mode but many of us have to do it so we will.
On Friday I plan to hook up the bug on the tow dolly and drive to Gilroy where I'll pick up a couple new tires and then drive on to Jason and Jo's where I'll enjoy the weekend and attend Timothy's third birthday party. Jason and Jo just celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary last weekend having been married on the 4th of July.
Good night to one and all, I send my love and appreciation for your being in my life.
Tim
Fireworks
We are just back at 11:45. We saw a great fireworks show Livermore tonight but getting out of the parking lot was poorly organized and it took a very long time but we are home safe now.
Timothy really enjoyed watching the aerial display and was very awake during the show.
Today has been a keeper. Jason and Jo slept in the motorhome last night and Timothy was with them, its a little bed and they found it a bit hard as well. So tonight they are sleeping in the guest room, a much nicer option, at least softer.
Keeping our word this morning we launched the paddle boat and Jason took Keanna and Timothy for a long ride in the lake. They seemed to enjoy it a lot. Kallie did not like being left out but we did not have a life jacket for her so Nikki kept her busy inside.
We had a breakfast of Belgium Waffles and Jo made special pancakes for Timothy that he can eat. We had fruit, juices and had fun. Nikki and the girls came for breakfast and play time. Later in the day we went to Streets of Brentwood, an open air mall of nice shops but moved on to another area of shops and spent time in Babies R Us. I found a sheet for the little port a bed I have at the house and we looked at car seats, strollers and even rocking chairs.
Naps were in order next and Timothy and I dismantled the Barbie Tent which has been with me in the living room for some time. Nikki has decided that it is time for it to move along and has other ideas to keep the girls busy when visiting, I trust her, she never lets me down.
Jason used my ancient BBQ and cooked delicious corn and grillers. We feasted on excellent food. Then it was time to leave for Livermore. An entire afternoon of food, concerts and relaxing in the park had been planned by the Livermore Parks department and thousands of people responded. Once we cressed the hill leaving Contra Costa and entered into Alameday County the temperature dropped a lot so we had a pleasant evening with cool breezes and we enjoyed sitting on our blankets waiting for the sun to set. It was a tranquil evening as we observed dozens of parents and kids playing frizbee, or throwing a football or just playing. It was pure Americana and felt good.
I'm thankful for family and for this day. I hope your day was special for you as well. I've had too many empty days to not really treasure this day which was filled with joy and sharing.
Love
tim
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Family give meaning to life
Dear Family and Friends,
I think the photo will say a lot about the day. I picked up Kallie at 9 this morning and we drove to Sabbath School where for a while she was the only participant, then a little girl named Faith joined us. Emily did a great job as usual, she is a natural born grandmother and finally getting to ply her talents with Luke.
Jason and Jo joined us during church and then we went to lunch with the newlyweds, Kevin and his new bride as of Thursday and Sylvia. As usual Sylvia is marvelous with little ones and had them over watching the nice fish tank a couple times and then outside to blow bubbles in the breezes. The food was great and it was a nice time to catch up with family and friends. Kallie ate little but had water and drank her milk. By the time we left she was sleepy and feel asleep quickly in the car. Once we arrived home even though I carried her as well as I could upstairs to her little bed in 5 minutes she was up and had joined the party.
Jason, Jo and Timothy had arrived a minute before we did. Once inside I found the cool morning breezes had been replaced with 84 degree heat. The central AC quickly pulled that down to a comfortable level and we spent most of our time indoors. Jason and I did move the paddle boat around to the water again and in the morning we've promised Timothy a ride on the lake. It seems only yesterday that Jason and I would be paddling the boat or taking the canoe out with he being just a little boy.
Later this afternoon after Jo had a little nap in the motorhome and Jason and I relaxed indoors Nikki arrived with Keanna. They were happy and glad to be out of the sun after a day at the fair in Pleasanton. The three kidos played very nicely together all afternoon with Keanna taking the lead at times. Timothy and Kallie were very kind to each other and played well.
Kallie asked me if we could make music, she meant could she play the piano. I was pleasantly surprised that neither she or Timothy banged on the keys, rather they attempted to play and had a lot of fun several different times playing on the piano. Later Jason took a turn and demonstrated his mastery of the keyboard, watch for his album in the fall!
Finally it came time for Nikki to take her girls home and Jason and Jo left for an evening out at the Streets of Brentwood. That left Timothy and I to fend for ourselves. He asked for a snack and so he had pieces of peach. I could not believe how much he ate. We watched some episodes of Clifford the Big Red Dog and then he brushed his teeth and I put him to bed in a guest room. We read books, sang songs and had prayer and then he was out. What a precious little man he is.
Now Jason and Jo are settled into the motorhome and I hope they find it comfortable and have a good night. I'm heading to bed also but I've not kept my room cooled today so it is a bit warm though the night is cooling down fast outside.
The joy of having both Jason and Nikki with their kidos here was intense. Steve was enjoying a day free from the daddy day care role he often plays and Jo was relaxing and trying to get comfortable as she is well into an exciting pregnancy, a little girl to arrive in the fall.
So I got to bed tonight a happy man, yes I know Nan would have just loved this day and I remember that with fondness. We would have loved to have her here too.
So we send our love to all,
Tim
I think the photo will say a lot about the day. I picked up Kallie at 9 this morning and we drove to Sabbath School where for a while she was the only participant, then a little girl named Faith joined us. Emily did a great job as usual, she is a natural born grandmother and finally getting to ply her talents with Luke.
Jason and Jo joined us during church and then we went to lunch with the newlyweds, Kevin and his new bride as of Thursday and Sylvia. As usual Sylvia is marvelous with little ones and had them over watching the nice fish tank a couple times and then outside to blow bubbles in the breezes. The food was great and it was a nice time to catch up with family and friends. Kallie ate little but had water and drank her milk. By the time we left she was sleepy and feel asleep quickly in the car. Once we arrived home even though I carried her as well as I could upstairs to her little bed in 5 minutes she was up and had joined the party.
Jason, Jo and Timothy had arrived a minute before we did. Once inside I found the cool morning breezes had been replaced with 84 degree heat. The central AC quickly pulled that down to a comfortable level and we spent most of our time indoors. Jason and I did move the paddle boat around to the water again and in the morning we've promised Timothy a ride on the lake. It seems only yesterday that Jason and I would be paddling the boat or taking the canoe out with he being just a little boy.
Later this afternoon after Jo had a little nap in the motorhome and Jason and I relaxed indoors Nikki arrived with Keanna. They were happy and glad to be out of the sun after a day at the fair in Pleasanton. The three kidos played very nicely together all afternoon with Keanna taking the lead at times. Timothy and Kallie were very kind to each other and played well.
Kallie asked me if we could make music, she meant could she play the piano. I was pleasantly surprised that neither she or Timothy banged on the keys, rather they attempted to play and had a lot of fun several different times playing on the piano. Later Jason took a turn and demonstrated his mastery of the keyboard, watch for his album in the fall!
Finally it came time for Nikki to take her girls home and Jason and Jo left for an evening out at the Streets of Brentwood. That left Timothy and I to fend for ourselves. He asked for a snack and so he had pieces of peach. I could not believe how much he ate. We watched some episodes of Clifford the Big Red Dog and then he brushed his teeth and I put him to bed in a guest room. We read books, sang songs and had prayer and then he was out. What a precious little man he is.
Now Jason and Jo are settled into the motorhome and I hope they find it comfortable and have a good night. I'm heading to bed also but I've not kept my room cooled today so it is a bit warm though the night is cooling down fast outside.
The joy of having both Jason and Nikki with their kidos here was intense. Steve was enjoying a day free from the daddy day care role he often plays and Jo was relaxing and trying to get comfortable as she is well into an exciting pregnancy, a little girl to arrive in the fall.
So I got to bed tonight a happy man, yes I know Nan would have just loved this day and I remember that with fondness. We would have loved to have her here too.
So we send our love to all,
Friday, July 2, 2010
At last its Friday evening
Dear Ones,
Finally home after an afternoon in holiday traffic. I had a 3:30 appointment in Hayward and as I drove to the property I could not help but notice that traffic was solid and very slow from Castro Valley all the way through Livermore. I knew that spelled a couple hours stuck in traffic when I headed home. After taking all the time I needed to do the appraisal and purchasing diesel in Castro Valley I had to face the music. It came to me to use Crow Canyon which is a local two lane road and then once arriving at the freeway I decided to just stay on local roads. The trip home took an hour, a normal travel time and I was able to totally shun the freeway. Once arriving home I found myself totally tired and so ended up taking a long nap in the chair in my office. Eventually I woke from my stupor, called Lois to see if she wanted to catch Subway. We did that but I've still felt really tired out. So the things I had hoped to do once I came home are left undone and I'm heading to bed.
Tomorrow will be an exciting day as Jason, Jo and Timothy meet Kallie and me in Tracy for church and then several of us are going to have lunch while in Tracy, then we will head home for some paddle boat fun with Mr. Timothy.
This evening they are playing some really beautiful music related to the 4th holiday. There is really nothing quite like great music, music that has stood the test of years, of generations and still is hauntingly beautiful, moving, memorable. Is there anything like a solo violin or viola? How I wish I knew more about how great music is constructed, I know that I like it but not always sure why. My friend Joyce knows music and has gotten me listening to a Sacramento classical station that I get streaming through the Internet. It has lifted the caliber of my enjoyment of life so many times over the past months.
I working through a book shared with me by my friend Ron. It is the book from the author of Men are Mars, Women are from Venus and he has written a book dealing with finding ones life after divorce or losing a spouse in death. While much of the book does not relate to me as it is dealing with forgiving a spouse after a divorce some parts are outstanding for my own situation having lost Nan.
For the most part my life functions well now. No longer does memories engender pain, now they pretty much bring solid memories. Today as I drove home on the backroads I could not help but remember many late night trips home from San Ramon Regional Medical Center after one of Nan's several surgeries. I would stay with her as long as I could and once she fell asleep I would head home at 11 or 12 using the backroads. Yes I remembered those times this afternoon and what I remembered most was the courage and strength Nan demonstrated as she struggled to recover from these huge surgeries.
There is one idea presented over and over in the book that is somewhat difficult to accept. The concept is to realize that there will be a loving experience in the future that is even stronger than anything I have experienced yet. At this point with no one in sight and a lack of awareness of even how to meet someone who might enjoy a life with me that concept, of greater happiness than before, seems either impossible or very distant. Frankly I don't spend much energy thinking about it. Life is pretty full with just the survival things I need to do.
Well if sleep is what I need its 9:46 now and I need to make the move toward rest.
Good night to all,
love
tim
Finally home after an afternoon in holiday traffic. I had a 3:30 appointment in Hayward and as I drove to the property I could not help but notice that traffic was solid and very slow from Castro Valley all the way through Livermore. I knew that spelled a couple hours stuck in traffic when I headed home. After taking all the time I needed to do the appraisal and purchasing diesel in Castro Valley I had to face the music. It came to me to use Crow Canyon which is a local two lane road and then once arriving at the freeway I decided to just stay on local roads. The trip home took an hour, a normal travel time and I was able to totally shun the freeway. Once arriving home I found myself totally tired and so ended up taking a long nap in the chair in my office. Eventually I woke from my stupor, called Lois to see if she wanted to catch Subway. We did that but I've still felt really tired out. So the things I had hoped to do once I came home are left undone and I'm heading to bed.
Tomorrow will be an exciting day as Jason, Jo and Timothy meet Kallie and me in Tracy for church and then several of us are going to have lunch while in Tracy, then we will head home for some paddle boat fun with Mr. Timothy.
This evening they are playing some really beautiful music related to the 4th holiday. There is really nothing quite like great music, music that has stood the test of years, of generations and still is hauntingly beautiful, moving, memorable. Is there anything like a solo violin or viola? How I wish I knew more about how great music is constructed, I know that I like it but not always sure why. My friend Joyce knows music and has gotten me listening to a Sacramento classical station that I get streaming through the Internet. It has lifted the caliber of my enjoyment of life so many times over the past months.
I working through a book shared with me by my friend Ron. It is the book from the author of Men are Mars, Women are from Venus and he has written a book dealing with finding ones life after divorce or losing a spouse in death. While much of the book does not relate to me as it is dealing with forgiving a spouse after a divorce some parts are outstanding for my own situation having lost Nan.
For the most part my life functions well now. No longer does memories engender pain, now they pretty much bring solid memories. Today as I drove home on the backroads I could not help but remember many late night trips home from San Ramon Regional Medical Center after one of Nan's several surgeries. I would stay with her as long as I could and once she fell asleep I would head home at 11 or 12 using the backroads. Yes I remembered those times this afternoon and what I remembered most was the courage and strength Nan demonstrated as she struggled to recover from these huge surgeries.
There is one idea presented over and over in the book that is somewhat difficult to accept. The concept is to realize that there will be a loving experience in the future that is even stronger than anything I have experienced yet. At this point with no one in sight and a lack of awareness of even how to meet someone who might enjoy a life with me that concept, of greater happiness than before, seems either impossible or very distant. Frankly I don't spend much energy thinking about it. Life is pretty full with just the survival things I need to do.
Well if sleep is what I need its 9:46 now and I need to make the move toward rest.
Good night to all,
love
tim
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Keeping it moving
Dear Family and Friends,
Another busy day, I'm sure you had one too. We walked and the morning was very cool, invigorating. Then breakfast, I'm trying to use up some nasty dry cereal I got somewhere. The stuff tastes like a combination of cardboard and Styrofoam but not as good. The box seems to last like the widow's oil, forever when boxes of cereals I actually like go quickly. So I mix a bit of it every day with something good. Dreadful stuff.
I have to admit I'm a sucker for clean. It is so nice to just wander around the house and enjoy the clean shining floors, the open clean counters in the kitchen, the lack of clutter in my bedroom, Tonya is a miracle worker, I'd like to marry her sister, of course I don't know if she has a sister my age or not, probably not but this is certainly a desirable skill to have. The ability to make things shine, smell good and look attractive.
I almost hate to use the sinks or the counters for fear of making them less perfect.
I set a goal of writing two reports today but when I opened my emails this morning I discovered a new order for a relocation report. It was located in Suisun City which is located adjacent to Fairfield and it was marked rush. So then I calculated that if I kept busy perhaps I could complete the two appraisals and still leave on time to see the house in Suisun City at 3:30. At 2:10 I emailed the appraisal out and then hit the road. The trip to Fairfield from my home involves using a two lane road that has become very dangerous. For the last year it has been under constant construction as crews slowly are improving it and taking out some of the most dangerous sections replacing them with wider and more level new road sections. To keep everyone safe they have clamped a 45 mpg speed limit on miles of this road and drivers do not like it. They also patrol it heavily with Highway Patrol units. I simply cannot afford a ticket so I was the guy holding back about 20 cars today with no place to pull over. We all lived through it.
The home was a very cute little one story and the family is being moved to Hawaii. What fun it was to chat with the homeowner about what to expect. She has never been there and will soon be living there. After seeing her home I searched for comparables and found many sales but only two pendings and no current listings in her entire neighborhood. It was a very unusual situation especially for the current market in most areas. Values are NOT increasing and this government is doing everything wrong to try to improve the business climate. I just read a list of tax changes to kick in Jan. 1 2011. You will not believe the terrible burden that is about to be imposed on all of us, not just the rich. Someone is not telling the truth re: taxes and a whole lot of us are going to be shocked, small businesses will fail, we are headed for worse times, not better. And this is my optimistic look to the future. Ask me how I really feel!
As I drove home from Fairfield I began to look forward to tasks I had decided to do this evening. I trimmed the rose bushes, I know, the wrong time of the year, tough, they will have to live with it. They look better now, I trimmed other plants too, edged and then mowed the lawn. I also took time to slip the tow dolly behind the gate to keep some eager thief from borrowing it. Now I'm resting up, sending this message to you and then heading to bed.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Another busy day, I'm sure you had one too. We walked and the morning was very cool, invigorating. Then breakfast, I'm trying to use up some nasty dry cereal I got somewhere. The stuff tastes like a combination of cardboard and Styrofoam but not as good. The box seems to last like the widow's oil, forever when boxes of cereals I actually like go quickly. So I mix a bit of it every day with something good. Dreadful stuff.
I have to admit I'm a sucker for clean. It is so nice to just wander around the house and enjoy the clean shining floors, the open clean counters in the kitchen, the lack of clutter in my bedroom, Tonya is a miracle worker, I'd like to marry her sister, of course I don't know if she has a sister my age or not, probably not but this is certainly a desirable skill to have. The ability to make things shine, smell good and look attractive.
I almost hate to use the sinks or the counters for fear of making them less perfect.
I set a goal of writing two reports today but when I opened my emails this morning I discovered a new order for a relocation report. It was located in Suisun City which is located adjacent to Fairfield and it was marked rush. So then I calculated that if I kept busy perhaps I could complete the two appraisals and still leave on time to see the house in Suisun City at 3:30. At 2:10 I emailed the appraisal out and then hit the road. The trip to Fairfield from my home involves using a two lane road that has become very dangerous. For the last year it has been under constant construction as crews slowly are improving it and taking out some of the most dangerous sections replacing them with wider and more level new road sections. To keep everyone safe they have clamped a 45 mpg speed limit on miles of this road and drivers do not like it. They also patrol it heavily with Highway Patrol units. I simply cannot afford a ticket so I was the guy holding back about 20 cars today with no place to pull over. We all lived through it.
The home was a very cute little one story and the family is being moved to Hawaii. What fun it was to chat with the homeowner about what to expect. She has never been there and will soon be living there. After seeing her home I searched for comparables and found many sales but only two pendings and no current listings in her entire neighborhood. It was a very unusual situation especially for the current market in most areas. Values are NOT increasing and this government is doing everything wrong to try to improve the business climate. I just read a list of tax changes to kick in Jan. 1 2011. You will not believe the terrible burden that is about to be imposed on all of us, not just the rich. Someone is not telling the truth re: taxes and a whole lot of us are going to be shocked, small businesses will fail, we are headed for worse times, not better. And this is my optimistic look to the future. Ask me how I really feel!
As I drove home from Fairfield I began to look forward to tasks I had decided to do this evening. I trimmed the rose bushes, I know, the wrong time of the year, tough, they will have to live with it. They look better now, I trimmed other plants too, edged and then mowed the lawn. I also took time to slip the tow dolly behind the gate to keep some eager thief from borrowing it. Now I'm resting up, sending this message to you and then heading to bed.
Sending love to all,
Tim
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