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