Dear Family and Friends,
As this year winds to a close one can't help but think back a bit to memorable moments, like finding ones self at the hospital in ER and discovering that a surgery was going to happen in a few minutes, in the middle of the night who do you call, parents, no both gone, kids, nope sleeping and going to work the next day, friends, needing their rest, no reason to make them come sit on hard chairs and read old magazines so you just resign yourself to the knife and pray, hope and mentally prepare.
I well remembe the next words were someone in recovery calling my name telling me I could wake up, that takes me back to a night long ago when Jason and I were standing at the door of the recovery room and we could hear someone says, Erin, wake up now, saying it over and over again since Erin was not ready to wake up yet. Somethings just stick in your memory forever, others can be triggered.
I remember the year long fight to get the loan on the house adjusted, being told over and over again I didn't make enough to afford my house, the same one I'd been living in for 20 years and making the payments every month. I remember the spring when there was so little work one wondered what was to become of me.
I remember those opportunities when I would get to spend time with the little guys, They never disappoint, they are bright, fiesty, clever, cute and precious to my heart. I appreciate Jason and Jo, Nikki and Steve letting me enjoy the kids. Yes even help for baby sitting so parents can slip out for an evening alone.
This evening I'm writing this while viewing my words on a new 23 inch monitor. Since we don't have the new computer with its Windows 7 up and running yet I've installed it at Nan's desk with my existing computer, wow I can finally really see everything. It is great and with a CostCo 2 year warranty and price tag of $199 I could not resist. Compared to my first color monitor years ago at almost $800 and the size of a small truck. How things change.
For those of you waiting by your mailbox every day waiting for my Christmas card hang in there, I'm about to get them launched, any day now!
God Bless your new year.
Love
tim
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Interesting between week
Dear Family and Friends,
Yes this has been an eventful week between Christmas and New Years Day. Usually there is no work and the time drags. This weeks highlights include being hit by teenage drive in the Civic, Jim installing the new mega power computer with "Windows 7", a program that I'm starting to like a little, having the girls on Thursday which sure woke up this sleepy old house, walking several days with Ken, steps which are the right direction. Reconnecting with a friend and having the motorhome on the road with a young family aboard. You always have them in the back of your mind, be safe, be careful. These renters have communicated very little but seem to be having a good time. They texted me to let me know they will be here tomorrow around noon.
That lets me take the girls to Sabbath School in the morning.
This evening I met Nikki and the girls at Chucky Cheese for salad, pizza, tokens, games and happy kiddos. It was a blast to see how far Kallie has come. She climbs up on that big horse and loves the ride, all for just one token! Yea.
My long time friend Dolly has moved with her husband Ken to Napa from Oregon. Their home sold in a very short time and they are all settled into their place in Napa now, Dolly is anxiously waiting for warm weather. How she loves the sun and being hot. Her daughter Julie lives in Napa part of the year so that will be fun for them to spend time together. Dolly and Howard Vogel taught Nan and I the appraisal business long ago and gave us a second chance on life. We are eternally grateful for their guidance and introduction to the appraising world.
Well I don't know about you but I'm out of gas, totally tired and ready to sleep.
Have a joyful weekend and take special time to tell the one you love how you feel, please do this while you can.
Love to all
Tim
Yes this has been an eventful week between Christmas and New Years Day. Usually there is no work and the time drags. This weeks highlights include being hit by teenage drive in the Civic, Jim installing the new mega power computer with "Windows 7", a program that I'm starting to like a little, having the girls on Thursday which sure woke up this sleepy old house, walking several days with Ken, steps which are the right direction. Reconnecting with a friend and having the motorhome on the road with a young family aboard. You always have them in the back of your mind, be safe, be careful. These renters have communicated very little but seem to be having a good time. They texted me to let me know they will be here tomorrow around noon.
That lets me take the girls to Sabbath School in the morning.
This evening I met Nikki and the girls at Chucky Cheese for salad, pizza, tokens, games and happy kiddos. It was a blast to see how far Kallie has come. She climbs up on that big horse and loves the ride, all for just one token! Yea.
My long time friend Dolly has moved with her husband Ken to Napa from Oregon. Their home sold in a very short time and they are all settled into their place in Napa now, Dolly is anxiously waiting for warm weather. How she loves the sun and being hot. Her daughter Julie lives in Napa part of the year so that will be fun for them to spend time together. Dolly and Howard Vogel taught Nan and I the appraisal business long ago and gave us a second chance on life. We are eternally grateful for their guidance and introduction to the appraising world.
Well I don't know about you but I'm out of gas, totally tired and ready to sleep.
Have a joyful weekend and take special time to tell the one you love how you feel, please do this while you can.
Love to all
Tim
Thursday, December 29, 2011
A Mixed Day, kiddos were great, new computer is lousy (so far)
Dear Friends and Family,
What a stressed filled day. It is always great when the girls can come for the day. They arrived with joy
dolls and were ready for the adventure. They played so well together and apart. Keanna was enjoying her ipod and kallie enjoyed her tangle doll, they munched on popcorn, had cuties, jello, pasta, water, soy milk, cookies, carots. They filled the day with noise, laughter, games and little drawings.
Jim who is my great IT guy came with the new computer. It is beautiful as computer boxes go, filled with goodies and huge storage capacity. Some day it might even be enjoyable. But today, well that is not the case. It has Windows 7 the latest operating system and its a big pain in the neck. As of now, this evening, hours later it does nothing I need it to do, it will not work with Outlook Express at all, that is the heart of my ability to communicate with my clients, friends, family, nothing. One of the three printers will not work, one of the orders I needed would not print out, its just a big disaster so far. Now of course I have clients waiting for work to be delivered and I'm stopped cold.
I knew that getting a new computer would do this, learning a new operating system is always challenging so now I have a learning curve on top of work to get out. We were able to move the existing computer to Nan's work area where I removed her computer to make space. We have it working tonight so I can do writing there. It is stripped of some of the needed things I use to write but I can get by until I learn the other one. I could just feel the day slipping away and of course Jim has to be paid for his time so it was not the best of days.
In the middle of the afternoon Keanna went for a play afternoon with her dear friend Summer who lives across the lake. While Kallie was supposed to sleep that did not happen. She washed things in the sink, learned how to open the cookie container, played quietly for hours and when her mom walked in about 5:30 she said no, I'm not done yet. How I love these girls.
So in the morning I'll climb out as early as I can and get as much work completed as i can before leaving for Hercules to do an appraisal. The days are short so I'll skip walking tomorrow and just enjoy the chance to get back to work.
This afternoon after we moved the computers I had to move a HP1000 lazer printer. They are known for having a very hard time getting back to working again after you disconnect them. Jim and I worked for two hours without success in getting the printer to working. I was really in a terrible state without a working printer for that computer. After many tries in desperation I asked the Lord to lend a hand and the next time a message popped upon the screen with 4 steps to take to make the connection work. I wrote them down, did them even though they seemed silly and within minutes it started to connect and print. Wow
Well I'm signing off now, tonight I'm writing this on the laptop in the family room as the fire dies down, the kitty is sleeping next to me on the love seat and Castle is on hold while I write. Life throws us curves and we just have to let the stress go, good idea, hard to impliment.
Love to all
Tim
What a stressed filled day. It is always great when the girls can come for the day. They arrived with joy
dolls and were ready for the adventure. They played so well together and apart. Keanna was enjoying her ipod and kallie enjoyed her tangle doll, they munched on popcorn, had cuties, jello, pasta, water, soy milk, cookies, carots. They filled the day with noise, laughter, games and little drawings.
Jim who is my great IT guy came with the new computer. It is beautiful as computer boxes go, filled with goodies and huge storage capacity. Some day it might even be enjoyable. But today, well that is not the case. It has Windows 7 the latest operating system and its a big pain in the neck. As of now, this evening, hours later it does nothing I need it to do, it will not work with Outlook Express at all, that is the heart of my ability to communicate with my clients, friends, family, nothing. One of the three printers will not work, one of the orders I needed would not print out, its just a big disaster so far. Now of course I have clients waiting for work to be delivered and I'm stopped cold.
I knew that getting a new computer would do this, learning a new operating system is always challenging so now I have a learning curve on top of work to get out. We were able to move the existing computer to Nan's work area where I removed her computer to make space. We have it working tonight so I can do writing there. It is stripped of some of the needed things I use to write but I can get by until I learn the other one. I could just feel the day slipping away and of course Jim has to be paid for his time so it was not the best of days.
In the middle of the afternoon Keanna went for a play afternoon with her dear friend Summer who lives across the lake. While Kallie was supposed to sleep that did not happen. She washed things in the sink, learned how to open the cookie container, played quietly for hours and when her mom walked in about 5:30 she said no, I'm not done yet. How I love these girls.
So in the morning I'll climb out as early as I can and get as much work completed as i can before leaving for Hercules to do an appraisal. The days are short so I'll skip walking tomorrow and just enjoy the chance to get back to work.
This afternoon after we moved the computers I had to move a HP1000 lazer printer. They are known for having a very hard time getting back to working again after you disconnect them. Jim and I worked for two hours without success in getting the printer to working. I was really in a terrible state without a working printer for that computer. After many tries in desperation I asked the Lord to lend a hand and the next time a message popped upon the screen with 4 steps to take to make the connection work. I wrote them down, did them even though they seemed silly and within minutes it started to connect and print. Wow
Well I'm signing off now, tonight I'm writing this on the laptop in the family room as the fire dies down, the kitty is sleeping next to me on the love seat and Castle is on hold while I write. Life throws us curves and we just have to let the stress go, good idea, hard to impliment.
Love to all
Tim
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Reconnecting
Dear Family and Friends,
This morning we walked but it seemed lighter and less cold, anyway after a few days the walk seems more manageable. Perhaps even enjoyable?
Then I drove to Hercules where I inspected a home that I had seen several years back, it was rough then, a bank foreclosure sale. Well it certainly has been improved and is really quite appealing, unfortunately the values have not been kind, data shows a decline in value for the entire year for this area. Bummer.
Then I drove to Alameda, I always enjoy working at Alameda, highly diverse older homes for the most part, tree lined streets, little stores and usually nice people. Todays work was a driveby so they will never know I was there but it was a nice little place and the comparables sales were nearby and reasonable. Once through with the work I ask the GPS for lunch and it served up a nearby Subway. Upon entering I felt the temperature, about 80 and I started coughing and hardly could stop before leaving. Lunch was great, they did the garden burger slightly differently and it was great.
Then it was a direct drive home and I set to work. Tomorrow the girls are coming to visit for the day, that will be exciting for sure. Also Jim is coming with the new computer which will be exciting in another way, the thrill and challenges of learning Windows 7, just hope everything will work right as I can't afford to be down for very long, work needs to flow down the wire to clients.
This morning as I drove to Hercules I decided to give a friend I met last fall at a BBQ a call. I sort of thought the friendship had hit a dead end but I was totally wrong. She was very pleased to take the call and was facing some challenging stuff in her life and was glad to have someone to talk to. We talked until I pulled up in front of the house I was to inspection. I'm glad for the reconnection!
This evening Art came to visit. I had a nice fire going and we chatted for awhile. We may walk in the morning provided he makes it over at 7. Hope he does, he is the walking champion, walks all winter in shorts!
Love to all,
Tim
This morning we walked but it seemed lighter and less cold, anyway after a few days the walk seems more manageable. Perhaps even enjoyable?
Then I drove to Hercules where I inspected a home that I had seen several years back, it was rough then, a bank foreclosure sale. Well it certainly has been improved and is really quite appealing, unfortunately the values have not been kind, data shows a decline in value for the entire year for this area. Bummer.
Then I drove to Alameda, I always enjoy working at Alameda, highly diverse older homes for the most part, tree lined streets, little stores and usually nice people. Todays work was a driveby so they will never know I was there but it was a nice little place and the comparables sales were nearby and reasonable. Once through with the work I ask the GPS for lunch and it served up a nearby Subway. Upon entering I felt the temperature, about 80 and I started coughing and hardly could stop before leaving. Lunch was great, they did the garden burger slightly differently and it was great.
Then it was a direct drive home and I set to work. Tomorrow the girls are coming to visit for the day, that will be exciting for sure. Also Jim is coming with the new computer which will be exciting in another way, the thrill and challenges of learning Windows 7, just hope everything will work right as I can't afford to be down for very long, work needs to flow down the wire to clients.
This morning as I drove to Hercules I decided to give a friend I met last fall at a BBQ a call. I sort of thought the friendship had hit a dead end but I was totally wrong. She was very pleased to take the call and was facing some challenging stuff in her life and was glad to have someone to talk to. We talked until I pulled up in front of the house I was to inspection. I'm glad for the reconnection!
This evening Art came to visit. I had a nice fire going and we chatted for awhile. We may walk in the morning provided he makes it over at 7. Hope he does, he is the walking champion, walks all winter in shorts!
Love to all,
Tim
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Just your typical boring day between Christmas and New Years Day
Walked 3 miles, froze
Worked in the office and fired up my second Magic Jack Plus system today, now I'm saving $65 a month in phone bills.
Wrote appraisal and finally got it out the door.
Received great news from Bob and Carrol, her cancer numbers are down 50%, wonderful!
Caught up on DVR Bones espisodes
Heading to bed now.
love
tim
Worked in the office and fired up my second Magic Jack Plus system today, now I'm saving $65 a month in phone bills.
Wrote appraisal and finally got it out the door.
Received great news from Bob and Carrol, her cancer numbers are down 50%, wonderful!
Caught up on DVR Bones espisodes
Heading to bed now.
love
tim
Monday, December 26, 2011
Crash
Well not all days are equal. I was just cruising alone, ready to climb over Kirker Pass to have an early dinner with the girls and suddenly a blue Mustang crashed into the right passenger door of the Civic, I was pushed enough that the car started to go sideways but then it went straight and I was fine. I turned left onto a side street and they followed me. Out came a very young teen boy from the drivers side and a very angry mother from the other side. She was yelling, he was in shock and they both told me how sorry they were. We traded the numbers, names and details, I shot a couple photos and then I was back on the road with a redesigned door.
I've called Geico but the little lizard was out, just a nice lady who after 15 minutes of on line voice tree and recordings came on the line to speak to me. She took awhile but by the time I got home I had a claim number emailed to me. I didn't really need this but then whoever really needs an accident.
Earlier in the day as I was coming from Fremont to Concord over the Sunol grade traffic ground to a stop and for 10 minutes it was stop and go, then all 4 lanes had to merge into the left, fast lane and there was a BMW on its top, not sure how that happened but it proves my day could have been worse.
Today I inspected two homes, both sort of beat up and not very desirable, bank owned and bank neglected I think. Both sold thousands under what anything else has sold for in the neighborhood and that sets up a new set of problems, homes selling below market have to be explained from every angle, why why why!
This morning Ken and I walked and I enjoyed having new tennis shoes, the ones that Nikki and Steve got me for Christmas, not that I'm retiring the ones Roger and Carol provided a few years ago, I just have two sets now, a real luxury.
I'm including a couple photos for your interest, one is proof that the No Wood Stove ban has been lifted. I have a wonderful fire burning in the family room. Since the dogs have left my kitties are enjoying roaming freely in the house. They demand hours of petting and attention. Its fun.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Ouch!
I've called Geico but the little lizard was out, just a nice lady who after 15 minutes of on line voice tree and recordings came on the line to speak to me. She took awhile but by the time I got home I had a claim number emailed to me. I didn't really need this but then whoever really needs an accident.
Earlier in the day as I was coming from Fremont to Concord over the Sunol grade traffic ground to a stop and for 10 minutes it was stop and go, then all 4 lanes had to merge into the left, fast lane and there was a BMW on its top, not sure how that happened but it proves my day could have been worse.
Today I inspected two homes, both sort of beat up and not very desirable, bank owned and bank neglected I think. Both sold thousands under what anything else has sold for in the neighborhood and that sets up a new set of problems, homes selling below market have to be explained from every angle, why why why!
This morning Ken and I walked and I enjoyed having new tennis shoes, the ones that Nikki and Steve got me for Christmas, not that I'm retiring the ones Roger and Carol provided a few years ago, I just have two sets now, a real luxury.
I'm including a couple photos for your interest, one is proof that the No Wood Stove ban has been lifted. I have a wonderful fire burning in the family room. Since the dogs have left my kitties are enjoying roaming freely in the house. They demand hours of petting and attention. Its fun.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Oak doing its thing!
Hardly damaged!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas continues
Due to going to bed rather late last night I didn't wake up too early but when I did I jumped up and put on the light jacket Jason and Jo gave me, just right to ward off the chill. I drove to Nikki and STeves where I quietly hooked up jumper cables between the van and beetle. The battery was so dead the car would not start. After coaxing and running the engine of the van a little higher it finally started, but being a diesel it clattered something terrible. So as quickly as I could I got it out of there and came back home to shower. Then it was back for a delicious breakfast prepared by chef Steve, everything was perfect. Then it was gifts and it was a wonderful time. I think the girls got just what they wanted. Of course what 8 year old girls want and what 3 year old girls want is a bit different. Keanna is thrilled with her gifts, a sewing machine!, an ipod! and many American Girl assessories and at least one American Girl. Kallie is sporting a new bike which she loves and was riding around the house until the home filled with wrapping paper and opened gifts. The kids did a super job of selecting gifts, very thoughtful.
I scored with new jeans, new walking shoes and new loafers, wow that is like a year of shopping for me, I was thrilled. The best gift this morning for me was a coffee mug with the girls picture baked on. It is perfect.
This afternoon I rested some, visited with Ray and then waded into the files that were piled everywhere in the two offices. Without Marilyn here to make it happen by magic I just had to do it the old fashion way, hard work but three boxes of files are moved to the garage storage that Tom and John built many years ago. That clears up a lot of space inside, its wonderful.
Tomorrow I'm back seeing properties again and starting to write reports. I'm very grateful to have work during this inbetween week, its highly unusual to have anything to do. My hand is getting better but of course I've overworked it today, opening presents is such taxing work.
I've heard nothing from my motorhome rental people, that is highly unusual, by now I've ususally had several calls with questions. I just hope they are OK and having a good time.
Good night, Merry Christmas
Love to all
Tim
I scored with new jeans, new walking shoes and new loafers, wow that is like a year of shopping for me, I was thrilled. The best gift this morning for me was a coffee mug with the girls picture baked on. It is perfect.
This afternoon I rested some, visited with Ray and then waded into the files that were piled everywhere in the two offices. Without Marilyn here to make it happen by magic I just had to do it the old fashion way, hard work but three boxes of files are moved to the garage storage that Tom and John built many years ago. That clears up a lot of space inside, its wonderful.
Tomorrow I'm back seeing properties again and starting to write reports. I'm very grateful to have work during this inbetween week, its highly unusual to have anything to do. My hand is getting better but of course I've overworked it today, opening presents is such taxing work.
I've heard nothing from my motorhome rental people, that is highly unusual, by now I've ususally had several calls with questions. I just hope they are OK and having a good time.
Good night, Merry Christmas
Love to all
Tim
Family Celebrates Christmas Eve!
Dear Family and Friends
Yes its early, 1:10 and its been a great day. An unusual one to be sure. I started the day by driving the motorhome to San Carlos where a nice family desiring to head to Disneyland lived. After sharing with them how things worked I drove their car back to Discovery Bay, then wrapped a few things and left for MBA where Jason, Jo, Timothy and Mia were celebrating Christmas eve.
After diverting around a traffic jam on the Sunol Grade I arrive to find a beautiful meal laid out and we were all ready to eat. Jo did a super job with the meal and we got to eat on the nice china! Timothy ate his meal without prompting and did some serious damage to the food on his plate. Mia was more interested in playing, she had had a long day already.
Next we opened presents and Mia got one of her first chances at ripping open the paper. From Pappa she got a nativity set with little people, to large to swallow but so cute to play with. Timothy scored an UNO game and a ship fully equipped with its own shark with moving mouth, a tank and a grappling hook, it can go on water or the floor and I think he will enjoy it.
All too soon it was time to leave and I left with a wonderful zip up sweater/coat/shirt, just right for those cold appraisals, perfect fit and the right color. Thank you very much.
Jason set me off for the road with a stiff cup of his best coffee and I'm not sleepy even now.
From MBA, basically Watsonville / Santa Cruz area I then drove to Oakland where I arrived a few minutes before the jet landed with Nikki, Steve, Kallie and Keanna. They had a good flight and were in fine spirits but found the weather cold. When they walked to the van they found a big red bow on the sliding door, the door that has not worked for months, yep, while they were gone I had the door repaired at the Honda dealer in Tracy. It appears that they did a fine job as the door continues to slide open and closed now without a hitch. That was Christmas for Nikki and Steve and I was delighted to make it happen.
Now its bed time, well actually way past bed time but my heart is so full of joy, I know Nan would have enjoyed this day very much, getting to spend time with all four precious grandchildren and their wonderful parents, now what could be better than that and all doing what they enjoy. Love it! Happy moments are too few and I'll just treasure this day as a winner.
Love to all, MERRY CHRISTMAS
Tim
Yes its early, 1:10 and its been a great day. An unusual one to be sure. I started the day by driving the motorhome to San Carlos where a nice family desiring to head to Disneyland lived. After sharing with them how things worked I drove their car back to Discovery Bay, then wrapped a few things and left for MBA where Jason, Jo, Timothy and Mia were celebrating Christmas eve.
After diverting around a traffic jam on the Sunol Grade I arrive to find a beautiful meal laid out and we were all ready to eat. Jo did a super job with the meal and we got to eat on the nice china! Timothy ate his meal without prompting and did some serious damage to the food on his plate. Mia was more interested in playing, she had had a long day already.
Next we opened presents and Mia got one of her first chances at ripping open the paper. From Pappa she got a nativity set with little people, to large to swallow but so cute to play with. Timothy scored an UNO game and a ship fully equipped with its own shark with moving mouth, a tank and a grappling hook, it can go on water or the floor and I think he will enjoy it.
All too soon it was time to leave and I left with a wonderful zip up sweater/coat/shirt, just right for those cold appraisals, perfect fit and the right color. Thank you very much.
Jason set me off for the road with a stiff cup of his best coffee and I'm not sleepy even now.
From MBA, basically Watsonville / Santa Cruz area I then drove to Oakland where I arrived a few minutes before the jet landed with Nikki, Steve, Kallie and Keanna. They had a good flight and were in fine spirits but found the weather cold. When they walked to the van they found a big red bow on the sliding door, the door that has not worked for months, yep, while they were gone I had the door repaired at the Honda dealer in Tracy. It appears that they did a fine job as the door continues to slide open and closed now without a hitch. That was Christmas for Nikki and Steve and I was delighted to make it happen.
Now its bed time, well actually way past bed time but my heart is so full of joy, I know Nan would have enjoyed this day very much, getting to spend time with all four precious grandchildren and their wonderful parents, now what could be better than that and all doing what they enjoy. Love it! Happy moments are too few and I'll just treasure this day as a winner.
Love to all, MERRY CHRISTMAS
Tim
Friday, December 23, 2011
Resting up
Dear Family and Friends,
Its so good to be able to type once again with the finger that had the surgery. Nearly healed now and I'm using it more and more.
Imagine my surprise this morning when an email popped up asking to rent the motorhome starting tomorrow. They live in San Carlos and want to rent for a week to take the family to Disneyland. So its going to happen and the funds will come in very handy. I'll have their Lexus for the week, that should be fun!
It was really cold this morning once again and I found a ball of red coals in the fire from last nights huge piece of wood. I loaded 2 pieces of wood into the stove, open the draft door and in minutes had a roaring fire, enough to keep the house 70 all day. The dogs love it, to be warm.
Today I've written two desk reviews so made a few bucks that way. And I managed to start a little Christmas shopping, very hard to climb into the mood right now plus I woke this morning with a very drippy nose, its been the same all day and I've not felt that great. Seems better tonight. I had dinner at the Red Robin and their normally incredible gardenburger was terrible tonight, not sure what happened but it was bad but the salad was great and I enjoyed that.
Now its time for bed and I'm so glad to be turning in. Do you like to sleep as much as I do? From about 7 pm on I am very tired, worn out, not sure when this started but its not fun.
I'm glad the Sabbath hours are here, nice to think of something beyond work and money but I did managed to pay both mortgages today, a huge blessing for which I am thankful.
Love to all and a Merry Christmas.
Jason has had my address book so the Christmas card from me will arrive a little late once I get my book back. He is raising funds for his upcoming marathon. I'm so proud of him for what he is doing, runs between 3 and 6 miles every day now, amazing.
Tim
Its so good to be able to type once again with the finger that had the surgery. Nearly healed now and I'm using it more and more.
Imagine my surprise this morning when an email popped up asking to rent the motorhome starting tomorrow. They live in San Carlos and want to rent for a week to take the family to Disneyland. So its going to happen and the funds will come in very handy. I'll have their Lexus for the week, that should be fun!
It was really cold this morning once again and I found a ball of red coals in the fire from last nights huge piece of wood. I loaded 2 pieces of wood into the stove, open the draft door and in minutes had a roaring fire, enough to keep the house 70 all day. The dogs love it, to be warm.
Today I've written two desk reviews so made a few bucks that way. And I managed to start a little Christmas shopping, very hard to climb into the mood right now plus I woke this morning with a very drippy nose, its been the same all day and I've not felt that great. Seems better tonight. I had dinner at the Red Robin and their normally incredible gardenburger was terrible tonight, not sure what happened but it was bad but the salad was great and I enjoyed that.
Now its time for bed and I'm so glad to be turning in. Do you like to sleep as much as I do? From about 7 pm on I am very tired, worn out, not sure when this started but its not fun.
I'm glad the Sabbath hours are here, nice to think of something beyond work and money but I did managed to pay both mortgages today, a huge blessing for which I am thankful.
Love to all and a Merry Christmas.
Jason has had my address book so the Christmas card from me will arrive a little late once I get my book back. He is raising funds for his upcoming marathon. I'm so proud of him for what he is doing, runs between 3 and 6 miles every day now, amazing.
Tim
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Chilly tonight
For those of you who live in ice boxes or in areas where the temperature and weather resemble freezers you will scoff but we are going down to 28 tonight, one of the coldest days of the year for California, Brrr
This morning I managed to complete an appraisal of a condo over in Sunnyvale, then prepared for a relocation inspection in Brentwood, great family, nice place and moving to Michigan, for them its back home so I know they are excited about it. Their company is moving them but what a time of the year to move, winter in Michigan, I've lived there, now that can be a cold place.
One winter in Michigan Dave Greenlaw, a grad student from Maine and I decided we would become sheet rockers, I think Andrews was paying about .95 an hour where I worked in the mill. So we purchased the basic tools, ventured out, got a job and learned quickly how to put sheetrock on the ceiling, the walls and made much better money. We bought an old Mustang, one that the winters and salt on the road had destroyed. The floor was partially missing on the passenger side and part of the trunk floor was missing too, all 4 tires were different sizes and it drove very funny. I think we paid $95 for it. That was our work car, wild ride for sure. The trunk was held closed with bungie cords, there was no heater, some of the windows did not close fully and there was snow on the ground and ice in the air. The things we do for money! No regrets, Nan worked in the food service and looked great in her white uniform, we lived in student housing and life was pretty good. Very fond memories.
I've been blue today, I feel so alone, approaching Christmas, everyone has their shopping done, has their cards mailed out, their homes decorated and I sort of feel displaced. Its no ones fault, just reality. At least I have work to keep me busy and this time its from a different lender who pays full fees, that is nice for a change. Today the big check came, the one that pays the house payments and I am so thankful for that. Of course I've done so little work that next month there will be no big check on the 22nd. The surgeries have taken their toll on my production and I'm not getting work from some because I was late this month in delivery.
When Nan was here this was the happiest time of the year. She was busy buying thoughtful gifts, making sure everyone was taken care of, baking pies, making her special dishes that we loved. When a treasured spouse dies a lot dies with her, dreams, smiles, happiness, looking forward to coming home. I can hardly imagine finding a new love, seems doors close or are never really open in the first place.
My little tree blinks on about 5:30 and remains lit for the evening. This evening Taz, one of Steve and Nikki's dogs sat with me in the recliner for awhile while a huge fire roared in the stove casting out heat into the room. What a huge blessing the stove has been. We've had it since the home was new, nearly 25 years now and it still works like a charm. And the wood my brother brought with him in the back of his pickup still lights every fire. I use it very sparingly as I don't want to use it all up. It starts the fire and then I use my oak to keep the fire burning for hours. For dinner tonight I stopped at UNOs and sat in the bar area. Its fun to see people talk and share stories, yell for the football teams. I had soup and salad and it was perfect. I felt it was a gift to myself and I enjoyed it. Yes it would have been nice to have someone to sit with but I managed to have a good time.
Sending love to all,
Tim
This morning I managed to complete an appraisal of a condo over in Sunnyvale, then prepared for a relocation inspection in Brentwood, great family, nice place and moving to Michigan, for them its back home so I know they are excited about it. Their company is moving them but what a time of the year to move, winter in Michigan, I've lived there, now that can be a cold place.
One winter in Michigan Dave Greenlaw, a grad student from Maine and I decided we would become sheet rockers, I think Andrews was paying about .95 an hour where I worked in the mill. So we purchased the basic tools, ventured out, got a job and learned quickly how to put sheetrock on the ceiling, the walls and made much better money. We bought an old Mustang, one that the winters and salt on the road had destroyed. The floor was partially missing on the passenger side and part of the trunk floor was missing too, all 4 tires were different sizes and it drove very funny. I think we paid $95 for it. That was our work car, wild ride for sure. The trunk was held closed with bungie cords, there was no heater, some of the windows did not close fully and there was snow on the ground and ice in the air. The things we do for money! No regrets, Nan worked in the food service and looked great in her white uniform, we lived in student housing and life was pretty good. Very fond memories.
I've been blue today, I feel so alone, approaching Christmas, everyone has their shopping done, has their cards mailed out, their homes decorated and I sort of feel displaced. Its no ones fault, just reality. At least I have work to keep me busy and this time its from a different lender who pays full fees, that is nice for a change. Today the big check came, the one that pays the house payments and I am so thankful for that. Of course I've done so little work that next month there will be no big check on the 22nd. The surgeries have taken their toll on my production and I'm not getting work from some because I was late this month in delivery.
When Nan was here this was the happiest time of the year. She was busy buying thoughtful gifts, making sure everyone was taken care of, baking pies, making her special dishes that we loved. When a treasured spouse dies a lot dies with her, dreams, smiles, happiness, looking forward to coming home. I can hardly imagine finding a new love, seems doors close or are never really open in the first place.
My little tree blinks on about 5:30 and remains lit for the evening. This evening Taz, one of Steve and Nikki's dogs sat with me in the recliner for awhile while a huge fire roared in the stove casting out heat into the room. What a huge blessing the stove has been. We've had it since the home was new, nearly 25 years now and it still works like a charm. And the wood my brother brought with him in the back of his pickup still lights every fire. I use it very sparingly as I don't want to use it all up. It starts the fire and then I use my oak to keep the fire burning for hours. For dinner tonight I stopped at UNOs and sat in the bar area. Its fun to see people talk and share stories, yell for the football teams. I had soup and salad and it was perfect. I felt it was a gift to myself and I enjoyed it. Yes it would have been nice to have someone to sit with but I managed to have a good time.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Busy day
Good evening
I'm just back from an evening celebrating Jo's birthday. Jason planned a surprise birthday party and I drove to downtown Santa Cruz to join the fun. The food was great and we enjoyed a very nice time. Jason had planned well and had a cake already at the place which was brought out at the end of the meal. Happy Birthday Jo.
Earlier in Hawaii we celebrated Steve's birthday at a great place when I was there. My kids found spouses with December birthdays so its always a challenge to celebrate their birthdays and Christmas without the birthdays being lost in the shuffle.
This morning Ken and I walked in the very cold damp dark weather. Not so fun but the feeling it gives after the walk is well worth it.
I worked on an appraisal and then drove to Richmond to see a property, then to a C21 office to pick up a check for a second appraisal and then as the clock was running did the appraisal of the second home. It was rough, needs just about everything to make it nice again. Once that appraisal was over I hit the road for Brentwood and got there at 3:45 so could deposit the check in the account. Then it was home to let the dogs out for a bit, select a card for Jo and drive to Santa Cruz. There was also a quick stop at the Library to pick up a book for Nikki. The librarian did not want to relenquish the book once she saw the title, she did not know it was out yet so Nikki evidentially got a book that is in demand. Now its hers for the next 3 weeks.
So this has been a busy day. A new order for a relocation appraisal came in today and that is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. The good Lord has sure been providing work even though it is Christmas week, I am thankful.
So now its really time to head to bed. 11:39. Interesting tidbit, when I filled the Civic in Santa Cruz I discovered that it had gotten 36 mpg. Not bad at all.
Love to all,
Tim
I'm just back from an evening celebrating Jo's birthday. Jason planned a surprise birthday party and I drove to downtown Santa Cruz to join the fun. The food was great and we enjoyed a very nice time. Jason had planned well and had a cake already at the place which was brought out at the end of the meal. Happy Birthday Jo.
Earlier in Hawaii we celebrated Steve's birthday at a great place when I was there. My kids found spouses with December birthdays so its always a challenge to celebrate their birthdays and Christmas without the birthdays being lost in the shuffle.
This morning Ken and I walked in the very cold damp dark weather. Not so fun but the feeling it gives after the walk is well worth it.
I worked on an appraisal and then drove to Richmond to see a property, then to a C21 office to pick up a check for a second appraisal and then as the clock was running did the appraisal of the second home. It was rough, needs just about everything to make it nice again. Once that appraisal was over I hit the road for Brentwood and got there at 3:45 so could deposit the check in the account. Then it was home to let the dogs out for a bit, select a card for Jo and drive to Santa Cruz. There was also a quick stop at the Library to pick up a book for Nikki. The librarian did not want to relenquish the book once she saw the title, she did not know it was out yet so Nikki evidentially got a book that is in demand. Now its hers for the next 3 weeks.
So this has been a busy day. A new order for a relocation appraisal came in today and that is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. The good Lord has sure been providing work even though it is Christmas week, I am thankful.
So now its really time to head to bed. 11:39. Interesting tidbit, when I filled the Civic in Santa Cruz I discovered that it had gotten 36 mpg. Not bad at all.
Love to all,
Tim
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Quick like a bunny
Hi
Its late, computer issues all evening but the report is submitted finally.
We walk at 6:30, just 7 hours from now!
Had a very good day, most interesting event was opening the house this afternoon to find some nitwit had left the heat on 90 degrees, the place was really hot and I had a sweater on. Wow,
This was a townhome but had 4 fireplaces, a 3 car garage, tons of upgrades and even had a spa in an attic room off the master bathroom.
Well thats it for now, going to bed, up at 6:15.
Love to all
Tim
Its late, computer issues all evening but the report is submitted finally.
We walk at 6:30, just 7 hours from now!
Had a very good day, most interesting event was opening the house this afternoon to find some nitwit had left the heat on 90 degrees, the place was really hot and I had a sweater on. Wow,
This was a townhome but had 4 fireplaces, a 3 car garage, tons of upgrades and even had a spa in an attic room off the master bathroom.
Well thats it for now, going to bed, up at 6:15.
Love to all
Tim
Monday, December 19, 2011
Beautiful weather
Well God has started the order process again. Two today was good news indeed.
This afternoon I drove to Sunnyvale but did so through Castro Valley, there was an accident ahead and it took an hour for a 10 minute trip. Needless to say I was late but thanks to the trusty IPHONE I was able to let them know and it all worked out well. I had dinner at the bar at Olive Garden, salad and soup never tasted so good.
Ray and Lois have just left. They came over to view the Christmas tree and approved of the work we did on Sat evening. It is a cute little tree and faithfully comes on about dark and goes off about now.
Ken has suggested that we walk at 6:30 in the morning so I'm heading to bed now, so ready and so sleepy.
Love to all
Tim
This afternoon I drove to Sunnyvale but did so through Castro Valley, there was an accident ahead and it took an hour for a 10 minute trip. Needless to say I was late but thanks to the trusty IPHONE I was able to let them know and it all worked out well. I had dinner at the bar at Olive Garden, salad and soup never tasted so good.
Ray and Lois have just left. They came over to view the Christmas tree and approved of the work we did on Sat evening. It is a cute little tree and faithfully comes on about dark and goes off about now.
Ken has suggested that we walk at 6:30 in the morning so I'm heading to bed now, so ready and so sleepy.
Love to all
Tim
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Our Big Sunday Adventure
Dear Family and Friends,
Today was a typical winter day here in California, cold at 50 degrees, some fog this morning but a sunny day this afternoon.
I texted Lois to see if she and Ray wanted a big adventure, they were up for it so at 1:15 we left our homes.
We drove to a Valero station which is located on Cypress Street and I went in to purchase a ticket for $7.75. Then we drove down a narrow road heading north and and eventually onto the levee road that twists and turns following the levees that keep water in its place. We took a wrong turn but back tracked and finally found the right place and since there was one other car there we parked. We were on our way to Bradford Island and it can only be reached by Ferry. The Ferry runs only a few times a day and there is even talk of shutting it down. We drove onto the deck which can hold up to 8 cars and soon we were on our way. The day was calm with no wind and we made good time arriving in about 15 minutes to unload onto our Island. Then we drove and found the property I was to inspect, did our work and then drove back in time to catch the last ride of the day. I've included a few photos. You don't find ferries like this very often in the entire state of California.
Lois and Ray really got into the spirit of the whole day and enjoyed it a lot. On our way home we drifted into Oakley and found a Burger King. Then it was home to build a fire, play with the dogs and watch some Miami CSI and the last episode of Hawaii 5 0 which seems to be even more interesting since I was just there.
Here are a few photos of our big adventure. I hope you enjoy them.
Love
tim
Today was a typical winter day here in California, cold at 50 degrees, some fog this morning but a sunny day this afternoon.
I texted Lois to see if she and Ray wanted a big adventure, they were up for it so at 1:15 we left our homes.
We drove to a Valero station which is located on Cypress Street and I went in to purchase a ticket for $7.75. Then we drove down a narrow road heading north and and eventually onto the levee road that twists and turns following the levees that keep water in its place. We took a wrong turn but back tracked and finally found the right place and since there was one other car there we parked. We were on our way to Bradford Island and it can only be reached by Ferry. The Ferry runs only a few times a day and there is even talk of shutting it down. We drove onto the deck which can hold up to 8 cars and soon we were on our way. The day was calm with no wind and we made good time arriving in about 15 minutes to unload onto our Island. Then we drove and found the property I was to inspect, did our work and then drove back in time to catch the last ride of the day. I've included a few photos. You don't find ferries like this very often in the entire state of California.
Lois and Ray really got into the spirit of the whole day and enjoyed it a lot. On our way home we drifted into Oakley and found a Burger King. Then it was home to build a fire, play with the dogs and watch some Miami CSI and the last episode of Hawaii 5 0 which seems to be even more interesting since I was just there.
Here are a few photos of our big adventure. I hope you enjoy them.
Love
tim
Worship / boat parade / Christmas tree decorated
Good evening
It's now bedtime but what an enjoyable day this Sabbath has been
Rolled out this morning, rolled back in, rolled out again and made it to part of Sabbath School and all of the worship hour. It was wonderful to see friends, to listen to an inspired sermon, to sing Christmas hymns.
Later I enjoyed lunch with friends at Strings in Tracy and then headed home.
This evening a friend dropped by to help me decorate the little tree that the girls picked out last week. It is a cute little tree and now decorated adds warmth to the family room.
This afternoon I got to talk with Steve and got caught up to date with their enjoyable activities. They have been having a terrific time with time on the ocean. Kallie was not too thrilled with being on the open ocean, in fact found it very scary so she spent time on the catamaran with one parent at a time. Keanna loved snorkeling and got to do it in one of the best places in the world.
Well not its time to wind it down,
Love to all
Tim
It's now bedtime but what an enjoyable day this Sabbath has been
Rolled out this morning, rolled back in, rolled out again and made it to part of Sabbath School and all of the worship hour. It was wonderful to see friends, to listen to an inspired sermon, to sing Christmas hymns.
Later I enjoyed lunch with friends at Strings in Tracy and then headed home.
This evening a friend dropped by to help me decorate the little tree that the girls picked out last week. It is a cute little tree and now decorated adds warmth to the family room.
This afternoon I got to talk with Steve and got caught up to date with their enjoyable activities. They have been having a terrific time with time on the ocean. Kallie was not too thrilled with being on the open ocean, in fact found it very scary so she spent time on the catamaran with one parent at a time. Keanna loved snorkeling and got to do it in one of the best places in the world.
Well not its time to wind it down,
Love to all
Tim
Friday, December 16, 2011
Kaiser tests
Good evening
This morning started at 6:15 and by 7:30 I was at Kaiser, Antioch where I found the front desk for cardiology empty, something deep in my mind said just go on back so I did and found my lady who was ready for the echo cardiogram. Stripped to my waist and laying on a examining table with pillows she started applied very cold stuff and while I watched she located the 4 values of my heart and examined them from every possible angle. Since I was there for a heart murmur I paid special attention when she stopped on one value and using her mouse highlighted portions taking extra photos. It was an interesting experience and after about 30 minutes she was finished. She was kind and found some special ointment for the healing place on my hand.
Once free of the hospital I drove to Sylvia's Cafe for an excellent 2 egg omelet filled with veges. One my meal was completed I had just enough time to drive to Martinez which was about 20 minutes away.
I parked and found the right office building and then endured the second test of the day. This one was a pulmonary capacity test and it was not pleasant but I did manage to get through it. Then I headed back home for work.
Tomorrow I'm going to Sabbath School and Church in Tracy since my little girls are still vacationing in Hawaii. I happen to know that they enjoyed a trip to Hilo and the rain forest today where it was pouring rain. Sure sorry I missed that! I sure do miss all of them thought. They are so fun to travel with and my four days were unforgettable.
Now its time to rest and recharge the batteries inside. It became clear to me this afternoon that I've now gone a full work week without producing any income, yikes is all I can say about that. I think that by now the after effects of Paxil are past and I'm glad to be free of at least one of the meds. After going through all these tests it is becoming very clear to me that I MUST start the process of losing weight, exercising and reclaiming control of my life. Its either that or be content to live with diminished expectations. At this point in time I'm driven by the desire to see my precious little 4 grow up.
Here is hoping for a great Sabbath for all, a break in work and a time to reconnect with those we love.
Love
Tim
This morning started at 6:15 and by 7:30 I was at Kaiser, Antioch where I found the front desk for cardiology empty, something deep in my mind said just go on back so I did and found my lady who was ready for the echo cardiogram. Stripped to my waist and laying on a examining table with pillows she started applied very cold stuff and while I watched she located the 4 values of my heart and examined them from every possible angle. Since I was there for a heart murmur I paid special attention when she stopped on one value and using her mouse highlighted portions taking extra photos. It was an interesting experience and after about 30 minutes she was finished. She was kind and found some special ointment for the healing place on my hand.
Once free of the hospital I drove to Sylvia's Cafe for an excellent 2 egg omelet filled with veges. One my meal was completed I had just enough time to drive to Martinez which was about 20 minutes away.
I parked and found the right office building and then endured the second test of the day. This one was a pulmonary capacity test and it was not pleasant but I did manage to get through it. Then I headed back home for work.
Tomorrow I'm going to Sabbath School and Church in Tracy since my little girls are still vacationing in Hawaii. I happen to know that they enjoyed a trip to Hilo and the rain forest today where it was pouring rain. Sure sorry I missed that! I sure do miss all of them thought. They are so fun to travel with and my four days were unforgettable.
Now its time to rest and recharge the batteries inside. It became clear to me this afternoon that I've now gone a full work week without producing any income, yikes is all I can say about that. I think that by now the after effects of Paxil are past and I'm glad to be free of at least one of the meds. After going through all these tests it is becoming very clear to me that I MUST start the process of losing weight, exercising and reclaiming control of my life. Its either that or be content to live with diminished expectations. At this point in time I'm driven by the desire to see my precious little 4 grow up.
Here is hoping for a great Sabbath for all, a break in work and a time to reconnect with those we love.
Love
Tim
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Short night, cold day, welcome home......
Brilliance is drinking a huge coke on the way home to stay away, well it got me home but then kept me awake until about 4 am this morning. A call from a lender woke me at 9:30 and the day has moved forward from there, slowly.
This afternoon I went over to collect the dogs from Steve and Nikki's place but the little one was hidden. Finally I called Steve who had me put him on speaker phone, then Taz came right out of hiding hearing his master's voice. It took a return trip to finally get them loaded and over to my house. Now they are roaming checking everything out, looking for Steve who is the love of their little lives. At least having them here will stop the raccoons from invading as they have been doing since I've been gone.
It is not as much fun being home alone as with family in Hawaii, got to admit that but of course dealing with appraisal problems is always a hoot, sometimes there does not seem to be a clear answer to problems that arise but we have to forge ahead and give it a try.
I'm including a few photos of the girls with a Hawaiian backdrop. In the morning at 7:30 I have a echo cardiogram at Antioch, then drive to Martinez where I next have a Pulmonary Lung workup. So glad to be making progress.
Perhaps you can tell I'm sleepy and worn out this evening, perhaps a good day of testing will perk me up tomorrow.
I'm very thankful that I was able to make the trip and feel very appreciative that it happened. Hawaii is special place to me, I've been there in all kinds of weather, with friends, with Nan when she was vital and full of shopping furry as well as when in a wheel chair, enjoyed every minutes of all the trips and all the different people and family.
So wishing everyone a good night, good morning
Love
Tim
This afternoon I went over to collect the dogs from Steve and Nikki's place but the little one was hidden. Finally I called Steve who had me put him on speaker phone, then Taz came right out of hiding hearing his master's voice. It took a return trip to finally get them loaded and over to my house. Now they are roaming checking everything out, looking for Steve who is the love of their little lives. At least having them here will stop the raccoons from invading as they have been doing since I've been gone.
It is not as much fun being home alone as with family in Hawaii, got to admit that but of course dealing with appraisal problems is always a hoot, sometimes there does not seem to be a clear answer to problems that arise but we have to forge ahead and give it a try.
I'm including a few photos of the girls with a Hawaiian backdrop. In the morning at 7:30 I have a echo cardiogram at Antioch, then drive to Martinez where I next have a Pulmonary Lung workup. So glad to be making progress.
Perhaps you can tell I'm sleepy and worn out this evening, perhaps a good day of testing will perk me up tomorrow.
I'm very thankful that I was able to make the trip and feel very appreciative that it happened. Hawaii is special place to me, I've been there in all kinds of weather, with friends, with Nan when she was vital and full of shopping furry as well as when in a wheel chair, enjoyed every minutes of all the trips and all the different people and family.
So wishing everyone a good night, good morning
Love
Tim
Home
Dear Family and Friends,
Its 1:10 in the morning and I'm home. It was very difficult to leave behind my precious little family in Hawaii as I turned to the ticket counter to check in the big red bag. I've had such an enjoyable time, a relaxing time, a time of peace and of knowing you belong to people and they belong to you. I can't and don't need to explain it, we all feel it when we are with loved ones, everything is better, it seems right.
Lets face it the things we do to make a living are not usually what we would be doing if we didn't have to generate money so when we get a break, take a few days pursuing family togetherness, the joy of walking through a great farmers market and craft show, of watching green turtle and crabs in action, of strolling through a shopping area with its centerpiece a huge Koi pond and play areas for the kiddos, classy shops with reasonable prices, deals, friendly clerks, well that was today.
I so appreciate the kids letting me tag along for a few days and catch up with helping with the girls. We swam, we played computer games, we laughed and we ate. The place is warm, beautiful, flowers that are one size here are 10 sizes larger there and are growing naturally beside the highway.
So now its back to reality, getting onto an island using a ferry to see a place there, getting a kitchen photo in a 2 million dollar home, rethinking how badly a home is damaged by a water leak in the floor, setting up new orders and learning to live without Starr. I know that one some practical level I did the right thing, allowing her to fall asleep free from pain and suffering but on a deeper level the loss of connection, she loved me, she was loyal to me, she has been there in my life all the time for the last 12 years or more. Well that takes a while to recover from. I miss her a lot.
Well since it is very late I'm heading to bed. I am thankful to our gracious Lord for excellent flights to and from Kona on Alaska Airlines, While no flight there is super comfortable unless you can spring for first class, still these people do it pretty well. My seat mates over were snobs of the first order and on the way back a guy and his 11 year old son could not have been better.
Love to all,
Tim
special thanks to Ray and Lois who fed Moomoo and George, the two kitties and watched over things.
Yes I did find my meds as I was getting on to the return flight today, one more little pocket in nan's Hawaii carry on backpack, yes one little zip pocket and there my meds were waiting.
Its 1:10 in the morning and I'm home. It was very difficult to leave behind my precious little family in Hawaii as I turned to the ticket counter to check in the big red bag. I've had such an enjoyable time, a relaxing time, a time of peace and of knowing you belong to people and they belong to you. I can't and don't need to explain it, we all feel it when we are with loved ones, everything is better, it seems right.
Lets face it the things we do to make a living are not usually what we would be doing if we didn't have to generate money so when we get a break, take a few days pursuing family togetherness, the joy of walking through a great farmers market and craft show, of watching green turtle and crabs in action, of strolling through a shopping area with its centerpiece a huge Koi pond and play areas for the kiddos, classy shops with reasonable prices, deals, friendly clerks, well that was today.
I so appreciate the kids letting me tag along for a few days and catch up with helping with the girls. We swam, we played computer games, we laughed and we ate. The place is warm, beautiful, flowers that are one size here are 10 sizes larger there and are growing naturally beside the highway.
So now its back to reality, getting onto an island using a ferry to see a place there, getting a kitchen photo in a 2 million dollar home, rethinking how badly a home is damaged by a water leak in the floor, setting up new orders and learning to live without Starr. I know that one some practical level I did the right thing, allowing her to fall asleep free from pain and suffering but on a deeper level the loss of connection, she loved me, she was loyal to me, she has been there in my life all the time for the last 12 years or more. Well that takes a while to recover from. I miss her a lot.
Well since it is very late I'm heading to bed. I am thankful to our gracious Lord for excellent flights to and from Kona on Alaska Airlines, While no flight there is super comfortable unless you can spring for first class, still these people do it pretty well. My seat mates over were snobs of the first order and on the way back a guy and his 11 year old son could not have been better.
Love to all,
Tim
special thanks to Ray and Lois who fed Moomoo and George, the two kitties and watched over things.
Yes I did find my meds as I was getting on to the return flight today, one more little pocket in nan's Hawaii carry on backpack, yes one little zip pocket and there my meds were waiting.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
A Great Day in Paradise
I took the girls to breakfast with me at the cafe by the pool in our project. I had a spinach omelet with home style potatoes and sitting there with the girls who were munching on some great fries. We were pool side and in the distance was the ocean with palm trees everyone.
After breakfast we came back to the room, put on swim suits and headed to the pool, we got towels for the week, noodles to swim with and the girls went to work having fun in the water. We spend hours playing and then headed back, drove to CostCo, had terrible traffic and picked up Steve and Nikki a bit late but we had a great morning. This is the primary reason I come to Hawaii at this point in my life, to help with the girls and to enjoy the beauty of this place.
Tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm I leave from Oakland but I've managed to pack in a lot of enjoyment in these 4 days. This evening we found some great eating at a local pizza place that had changed its name since 2 years ago. It turned out to be very very good.
Now we are watching Storage Wars, a show I've never seen before, its fun to watch and to just sit around with Steve and Nikki with the girls fast asleep.
This evening the sun set over the pool and it was a great ending to an excellent day.
I've included a couple photos I shot today.
Love to all,
Tim
After breakfast we came back to the room, put on swim suits and headed to the pool, we got towels for the week, noodles to swim with and the girls went to work having fun in the water. We spend hours playing and then headed back, drove to CostCo, had terrible traffic and picked up Steve and Nikki a bit late but we had a great morning. This is the primary reason I come to Hawaii at this point in my life, to help with the girls and to enjoy the beauty of this place.
Tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm I leave from Oakland but I've managed to pack in a lot of enjoyment in these 4 days. This evening we found some great eating at a local pizza place that had changed its name since 2 years ago. It turned out to be very very good.
Now we are watching Storage Wars, a show I've never seen before, its fun to watch and to just sit around with Steve and Nikki with the girls fast asleep.
This evening the sun set over the pool and it was a great ending to an excellent day.
I've included a couple photos I shot today.
Love to all,
Monday, December 12, 2011
Reporting from Kona Coast
Dear Family and Friends,
What a day, we started with an incredible breakfast at a local place across the road from the ocean, the service was cheery, the food was excellent. Then we traveled to the beach, one of the best snorkeling places on the island and caught some sun, played in the water and Keanna and Nikki went snorkeling seeing many different kinds of fish and creatures. There was even a green turtle sunning on the beach.
Once we finished up at the beach and loaded up it was back to the unit where the girls played. Our view is of a golf course and little yellow birds and mongooses.
This evening we went to a concert and BBQ at our pool complex. A local school sent a choir and ukulele group of many kids to perform. They were great and there was food too. Steve had the BBQ and we sat by the pool as the sun set.
Now we are back in the room heading to bed. The girls are in the bedroom watching a kids movie. Our unit has a full kitchen equipped with everything you need except the food. There are towels, a washer and dryer, a full bedroom and 2 baths. This year we don't have a direct ocean view but we do have a great golf course view. This is a really good place to enjoy.
It is really enjoyable to just settle on the back lanai in the chair Kallie calls the swim suit chair. I listened to a book for awhile before falling sleep. Kallie and Keanna came to check on me from time to time, these are very bright busy girls who have minds of their own and play together pretty well. Kallie adores her sister but certainly does not let Keanna push her around, they are really amazing and the stuff they come up with is pretty amusing.
Well for now its late, not as late as at home which is two hours later. We have not seen the sun today but even with high overcast it was 81 and great. I find Kona like home, I've been here enough to know my way around, there are no language issues, food and shopping are reasonable, there are many exciting things to go and enjoy, flowers, the volcano, Hilo on the other side, waterfalls, stunning sunsets. It is a great change of pace from the stress of running the company and trying to keep money in the bank.
So now this great Monday is over. I hope your Monday was good too.
Love to all,
Tim
What a day, we started with an incredible breakfast at a local place across the road from the ocean, the service was cheery, the food was excellent. Then we traveled to the beach, one of the best snorkeling places on the island and caught some sun, played in the water and Keanna and Nikki went snorkeling seeing many different kinds of fish and creatures. There was even a green turtle sunning on the beach.
Once we finished up at the beach and loaded up it was back to the unit where the girls played. Our view is of a golf course and little yellow birds and mongooses.
This evening we went to a concert and BBQ at our pool complex. A local school sent a choir and ukulele group of many kids to perform. They were great and there was food too. Steve had the BBQ and we sat by the pool as the sun set.
Now we are back in the room heading to bed. The girls are in the bedroom watching a kids movie. Our unit has a full kitchen equipped with everything you need except the food. There are towels, a washer and dryer, a full bedroom and 2 baths. This year we don't have a direct ocean view but we do have a great golf course view. This is a really good place to enjoy.
It is really enjoyable to just settle on the back lanai in the chair Kallie calls the swim suit chair. I listened to a book for awhile before falling sleep. Kallie and Keanna came to check on me from time to time, these are very bright busy girls who have minds of their own and play together pretty well. Kallie adores her sister but certainly does not let Keanna push her around, they are really amazing and the stuff they come up with is pretty amusing.
Well for now its late, not as late as at home which is two hours later. We have not seen the sun today but even with high overcast it was 81 and great. I find Kona like home, I've been here enough to know my way around, there are no language issues, food and shopping are reasonable, there are many exciting things to go and enjoy, flowers, the volcano, Hilo on the other side, waterfalls, stunning sunsets. It is a great change of pace from the stress of running the company and trying to keep money in the bank.
So now this great Monday is over. I hope your Monday was good too.
Love to all,
Tim
Sunday, December 11, 2011
safe trip to kona! Thankyou Lord
Good evening, the day started for me at 3:45. We left for Oakland at 4:30 and flew out at 7:15. Great ride over and the girls were great travelers. 5 & 1/2 hours later we had arrived. We found our unit and moved in. What a great day! It was 81 degrees and perfect. Late this afternoon I took keanna to the pool and she loved it.
One hitch! My meds did not get here. But the lord reminded me to go to Longs drug. I was still in their system so they just dispensed 4 days of meds and I'm great to go. Ray and Lois who r faithful friends and searched for the meds case but never did locate it. A mystery!!
This evening we celebrated steve's birthday at Outback!'so good and the sides taste great. Both girls fell asleep, so tired.
I was disappointed to discover that the wifi at our timeshare is supposed to be down. But my iPhone is working off wifi right now. They said it would be down for five days. I think it got fixed!
Well I'm going to say goodnight now. I'm pretty tired. Got two hours of sleep last night.
Wish you all were here!
Love tim
One hitch! My meds did not get here. But the lord reminded me to go to Longs drug. I was still in their system so they just dispensed 4 days of meds and I'm great to go. Ray and Lois who r faithful friends and searched for the meds case but never did locate it. A mystery!!
This evening we celebrated steve's birthday at Outback!'so good and the sides taste great. Both girls fell asleep, so tired.
I was disappointed to discover that the wifi at our timeshare is supposed to be down. But my iPhone is working off wifi right now. They said it would be down for five days. I think it got fixed!
Well I'm going to say goodnight now. I'm pretty tired. Got two hours of sleep last night.
Wish you all were here!
Love tim
Aloha
Its 12:46 and I have my work done, I'm packed and I'm heading to bed to sleep until about 3:45.
We are leaving for Kona in the morning out of Oakland on Alaska airlines and it is a direct flight. We'll arrive in the morning and have the day to settle in. I come back on Wednesday since I really can't afford to be away very long. I'm looking forward to some rest and time with family, I think we all are, just wish Jason and Jo could be there too.
Our timeshare at Kona Coast has served us well. I'll be blogging from there and including some pictures if I can make it all work.
I'm dealing with the loss of Starr and its mostly OK, but oh how I miss my little friend and companion.
How I wish you were coming too, I love my friends and will miss you all very much.
Love
tim
the day has been great, we did Sabbath School and then picked out a tree, the girls are so cute measuring the tree compared to how tall or short they are. We did Olive Garden and that is always an interesting time with the girls but we survived, no police were called and we even walked out full.
We are leaving for Kona in the morning out of Oakland on Alaska airlines and it is a direct flight. We'll arrive in the morning and have the day to settle in. I come back on Wednesday since I really can't afford to be away very long. I'm looking forward to some rest and time with family, I think we all are, just wish Jason and Jo could be there too.
Our timeshare at Kona Coast has served us well. I'll be blogging from there and including some pictures if I can make it all work.
I'm dealing with the loss of Starr and its mostly OK, but oh how I miss my little friend and companion.
How I wish you were coming too, I love my friends and will miss you all very much.
Love
tim
the day has been great, we did Sabbath School and then picked out a tree, the girls are so cute measuring the tree compared to how tall or short they are. We did Olive Garden and that is always an interesting time with the girls but we survived, no police were called and we even walked out full.
Friday, December 9, 2011
STARR AT REST
Nan and Starr
Starr this afternoon with her daddy in the office
Starr with her daddy at the vet
Daddy, what is happening?
Job well done, a perfect little doggie, a perfect little friend, a fellow traveler, Nan's very best buddy. At rest.
So today ends a 12 year love affair with a little pug, a little friend who would look up at you and then twist her head from side to side, who would eat anything Nan would hand her when they were together, who would beg until Nan relented and slipped her food from the table, who would bark at anything that moved on the lake, who gave birth to 4 beautiful little pugs and almost died in the process. Starr would sense if we were planning a motorhome trip as soon as we started to carry items out the door, then she would start barking, moaning until she gained access to the motorhome, she would sit on the right seat and jumped into the lap of whoever was there. She barked at everyone passing by and loved to travel.
I well remember the day Nan drove into the driveway with the Villager Van direct from Texas and out she climbed with this tiny little puppy in her hand, Starr fit into her hand and our love affair with her grew from that moment on. For years Starr would leap onto our bed even though it was high off the ground. We know now that she paid a price for the leaping and jumping when she was young, that in older age it catches up with them and their legs give out but she was some jumper, no ladder for her she just jumped.
Now she rests, I've been working up to this day for some time knowing that her life was no longer happy and exciting as it once was, knowing that she just sat in the corner of my office with her water and food nearby, not able to move an inch in any direction yet she never complained, well that is unless I forgot to feed her or her water was too far away, then she let me know. Every night before I fell asleep I would reach over and pat her head and tell her good night, every morning my first move was to talk to her and rub her ears. Now it is so quiet, still, lifeless.
As I drove away from the vet today I was filled with guilt and sadness, it didn't have to be today, she might have lived a lot longer, I hated to be the one to decide her fate after she had served so faithfully over the years, a constant in our lives no matter what else happened. Until the final days she was with Nan in the bed or the chair willing to sleep or snuggle for hours just to be near Nan, did she know? She was always true to her job of caring for Nan.
So now she rests, is there a place in God's plan for faithful creatures? I hope so, how wonderful it would be to see Nan and Starr running to greet each other some day, who knows.
Love to all,
Tim
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Keeping on course
What fun it was to see friends in Tracy last night at the ABC bookmobile. I discovered that Bernice White had a heart attack while on a drive in the mountains and spent a couple days at a hospital far from home. What a shock. George is recovering nicely from a knee replacement, what a brave trooper he is, just keeps going no matter what happens to his body. I saw the school teacher whose name always slips my aging mind and Dunstons and others. It was fun and the prices for the vege foods I enjoy were about half what I pay at Raley's when I can even find the items.
I worked until midnight last night and then until noon today to get the big one out. Finally it went out and it got accepted without needing changes which was great news.
Then I turned to a driveby review in San Ramon, you just would not believe all the homes that are being added in that area, all at prices exceeding $750,000 each, where do all these people work and make enough to afford homes like that? Always a wonder, not homes I would really want, often they have a 4,000 sf lot and are so crammed together it is amazing. But they are close to where people work!
Once the review was completed and emailed out I headed to Tracy to do one that came in yesterday. I managed to see it just before dark and get all the comps shot before the sun slipped away. Then back to the house to do the interior. Beautiful updated home that a couple months ago was a bank foreclosure. Now its wonderful, clean, fresh, new carpet, great pool, brick everywhere for the three patio areas and an outdoor kitchen. All for $265K
Well now I'm just through with writing it up and shipping it out, to a new client no less. That is always good news. Tomorrow morning I'll get up at 5 and write as much as I can before going to the hospital to get this horrible bandage off my hand, oh I am so ready for that. So ready! Then to Bradford Island which requires a ferry ride to see the property. Then back to the office to keep writing reports.
I'm leaving for a little trip on Sunday and will be gone for a few days, it will be warm there, nice change indeed.
Please pray for individuals with special circumstances. God knows.
Love to all
Tim
I worked until midnight last night and then until noon today to get the big one out. Finally it went out and it got accepted without needing changes which was great news.
Then I turned to a driveby review in San Ramon, you just would not believe all the homes that are being added in that area, all at prices exceeding $750,000 each, where do all these people work and make enough to afford homes like that? Always a wonder, not homes I would really want, often they have a 4,000 sf lot and are so crammed together it is amazing. But they are close to where people work!
Once the review was completed and emailed out I headed to Tracy to do one that came in yesterday. I managed to see it just before dark and get all the comps shot before the sun slipped away. Then back to the house to do the interior. Beautiful updated home that a couple months ago was a bank foreclosure. Now its wonderful, clean, fresh, new carpet, great pool, brick everywhere for the three patio areas and an outdoor kitchen. All for $265K
Well now I'm just through with writing it up and shipping it out, to a new client no less. That is always good news. Tomorrow morning I'll get up at 5 and write as much as I can before going to the hospital to get this horrible bandage off my hand, oh I am so ready for that. So ready! Then to Bradford Island which requires a ferry ride to see the property. Then back to the office to keep writing reports.
I'm leaving for a little trip on Sunday and will be gone for a few days, it will be warm there, nice change indeed.
Please pray for individuals with special circumstances. God knows.
Love to all
Tim
quick and dirty
hi
rough day
went to San Ramon for driveby this morning
Keanna at 12:45, always a good time, McDonalds
More work in office
Nikki came at 5 to pick up Keanna and to deliver Kallie for short visit
Ran to Tracy to meet ABC van, got some yummy vege food
Back to work on 2.7 million dollar Blackhawk home, now midnight, not half way through, got to rest
Love to all
tim
Please pray for those with special needs tonight / tomorrow
rough day
went to San Ramon for driveby this morning
Keanna at 12:45, always a good time, McDonalds
More work in office
Nikki came at 5 to pick up Keanna and to deliver Kallie for short visit
Ran to Tracy to meet ABC van, got some yummy vege food
Back to work on 2.7 million dollar Blackhawk home, now midnight, not half way through, got to rest
Love to all
tim
Please pray for those with special needs tonight / tomorrow
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Conflicted
Dear Family and Friends,
Its getting cold again tonight, now not Rhode Island or Weed cold but cold just the same. I was overjoyed to hear on KDFC, my online classical station that the all knowing do gooders at the air quality control district are getting close to calling for no wood fires. That really made my day. I went in and stoked my fire into greater action. I'm burning this wonderful hardwood that lasts forever and burns very cleanly and it keeps this place warm all day and night.
This morning I decided to take a stab at installing MagicJack for the house line, 925 634 6132. While I really don't want to let the house line go I'm tired of paying $36 a month for a video phone line I have never used once. With Magic Jack the cost is less than $2 a month and the voice quality is excellent. They have assigned a random number I can use until my phone line gets captured from ACN and is transferred to Magic Jack. So I get free long distance anywhere in the US, call forwarding, caller ID, just don't have to pay so much money for it. It cost me $65 and Ray picked it up at FRY's the other day. It was challenging to set up since they have NO phone number you can call for help, its all on the web but I managed it. Pretty happy with that decision. Next I'll switch the business line as well and then the fax line too. What will I do with all this money? Mmmm probably not a problem there.
Once the Kaiser Doctor sent the email asking for 3 days of blood sugar numbers I let that be a kick in the pants to do better. Last night after a good dinner at Applebees I had nothing else, same tonight. I woke up feeling great this morning and slept solid all night. For lunch today I planned ahead. Using the little toaster oven I baked a potato. I find them too large so I cut it in two and put the other half in foil and in the frig. My half I put in the toaster oven for 70 minutes at 425. It came out great and with the help a little butter and lots of asparagus that I microwaved and some cottage cheese I had a delicious lunch. Two hour later I took my blood and it was the lowest number I've seen in many weeks. I guess vege's do better than endless sandwiches.
Tonight I had a can of the soup I found, light vegetarian soup with very few calories but outstanding taste. The can is larger than a usual can and it has enough water already in so there is no need to add any. Its great but at Safeway the only ones they had were based on a chicken base but the one I had for dinner is based on vegetable broth base. I plan to stock up when I find them again. These cans were from Raley's.
Well perhaps I've said enough. I'm dealing with bummer feelings. The bandaged hand is getting very old, its in the way for everything and typing with it ends up causing pains in the hand yet of course I type all day. After researching paxil a bit more I'm getting off it. The web sites dedicated to helping people get off the stuff have some pretty amazing stories of what people go through to get free of it. I'm only on 5 mg so I expect my departure to be uneventful, just glad I'm not on 20 or 30 mg as getting free seems much more difficult for those people. As someone said on the web, I got off because I got tired of feeling good about everything and being forgetful, gaining a lot of weight.
So I'm ready and I'm cutting back, literally cutting the pills in half and then half again which means a very tiny pill is left.
I'm ready to engage in life again and leave the zombie world behind.
Love to all,
Tim
Its getting cold again tonight, now not Rhode Island or Weed cold but cold just the same. I was overjoyed to hear on KDFC, my online classical station that the all knowing do gooders at the air quality control district are getting close to calling for no wood fires. That really made my day. I went in and stoked my fire into greater action. I'm burning this wonderful hardwood that lasts forever and burns very cleanly and it keeps this place warm all day and night.
This morning I decided to take a stab at installing MagicJack for the house line, 925 634 6132. While I really don't want to let the house line go I'm tired of paying $36 a month for a video phone line I have never used once. With Magic Jack the cost is less than $2 a month and the voice quality is excellent. They have assigned a random number I can use until my phone line gets captured from ACN and is transferred to Magic Jack. So I get free long distance anywhere in the US, call forwarding, caller ID, just don't have to pay so much money for it. It cost me $65 and Ray picked it up at FRY's the other day. It was challenging to set up since they have NO phone number you can call for help, its all on the web but I managed it. Pretty happy with that decision. Next I'll switch the business line as well and then the fax line too. What will I do with all this money? Mmmm probably not a problem there.
Once the Kaiser Doctor sent the email asking for 3 days of blood sugar numbers I let that be a kick in the pants to do better. Last night after a good dinner at Applebees I had nothing else, same tonight. I woke up feeling great this morning and slept solid all night. For lunch today I planned ahead. Using the little toaster oven I baked a potato. I find them too large so I cut it in two and put the other half in foil and in the frig. My half I put in the toaster oven for 70 minutes at 425. It came out great and with the help a little butter and lots of asparagus that I microwaved and some cottage cheese I had a delicious lunch. Two hour later I took my blood and it was the lowest number I've seen in many weeks. I guess vege's do better than endless sandwiches.
Tonight I had a can of the soup I found, light vegetarian soup with very few calories but outstanding taste. The can is larger than a usual can and it has enough water already in so there is no need to add any. Its great but at Safeway the only ones they had were based on a chicken base but the one I had for dinner is based on vegetable broth base. I plan to stock up when I find them again. These cans were from Raley's.
Well perhaps I've said enough. I'm dealing with bummer feelings. The bandaged hand is getting very old, its in the way for everything and typing with it ends up causing pains in the hand yet of course I type all day. After researching paxil a bit more I'm getting off it. The web sites dedicated to helping people get off the stuff have some pretty amazing stories of what people go through to get free of it. I'm only on 5 mg so I expect my departure to be uneventful, just glad I'm not on 20 or 30 mg as getting free seems much more difficult for those people. As someone said on the web, I got off because I got tired of feeling good about everything and being forgetful, gaining a lot of weight.
So I'm ready and I'm cutting back, literally cutting the pills in half and then half again which means a very tiny pill is left.
I'm ready to engage in life again and leave the zombie world behind.
Love to all,
Tim
Monday, December 5, 2011
A chill has hit this place
Dear Family and Friends
This evening as I write I can feel the chill outside creeping in. I've not been home long enough to fix a fire so just letting the furnace do its thing but of course it goes off at 10 and its 10:37 now so the chill is creeping in.
This morning I stumbled out of bed, let the vertical position take hold and dressed to take a walk. By the time various nature imposed duties were completed my time was slipping away. So the walk was to the park instead of the long 3 mile one. It was still good to do but I discovered that a bandaged hand does not stay warm without a glove on it.
My first home was an amazing 5,800+ home in Blackhawk, a really nice high end gated community created years ago by Ken Berring. The subject was tucked back against a hill, had a pool, a new pergola with flagstone floor. As I moved about taking photos I nearly froze. You see the coat that rides in the car has sleeves so tight that they won't fit over the bandaged hand. Bummer so I just froze. The wonder lady who lived there found a set of plans which I have in my possession. Otherwise I would still be there measuring as the home had two level, many angles and is a French Country style I learned. Heated bathroom floors, stereo in every room, two dishwashers, a built in freezer and frig all behind wood facades so you would never know they were there. The home was a joy, the lady very kind and normal in spite a new Land Rover in the garage and obvious signs of wealth.
The next home was 1200 sf, they are being moved to Houston for Chevron and hope for a decent value. The home was very cute, updated but a bit different from the first one of the day.
Then I found a Burger King for lunch and headed home. Upon arriving home I discovered that at field review was due today and the property was in Richmond so back into the car and back over the same road. Some days I need a personal assistant to keep me together. Now I'm back and have written the review, shipped it out and am heading for bed.
It is very discouraging to have to deal with the bandage all the time, getting keys out of a pocket is a task, driving, measuring all are a challenge.
My doctor ask for blood sugars morning and an hour after eating for a three day period. This morning it was 257, then mid afternoon it was 159 and I'm about to take it again now before I go to bed hoping for a better number.
So that's it for the day, thankful for work but still challenged to get it completed.
Love to all.
Tim
This evening as I write I can feel the chill outside creeping in. I've not been home long enough to fix a fire so just letting the furnace do its thing but of course it goes off at 10 and its 10:37 now so the chill is creeping in.
This morning I stumbled out of bed, let the vertical position take hold and dressed to take a walk. By the time various nature imposed duties were completed my time was slipping away. So the walk was to the park instead of the long 3 mile one. It was still good to do but I discovered that a bandaged hand does not stay warm without a glove on it.
My first home was an amazing 5,800+ home in Blackhawk, a really nice high end gated community created years ago by Ken Berring. The subject was tucked back against a hill, had a pool, a new pergola with flagstone floor. As I moved about taking photos I nearly froze. You see the coat that rides in the car has sleeves so tight that they won't fit over the bandaged hand. Bummer so I just froze. The wonder lady who lived there found a set of plans which I have in my possession. Otherwise I would still be there measuring as the home had two level, many angles and is a French Country style I learned. Heated bathroom floors, stereo in every room, two dishwashers, a built in freezer and frig all behind wood facades so you would never know they were there. The home was a joy, the lady very kind and normal in spite a new Land Rover in the garage and obvious signs of wealth.
The next home was 1200 sf, they are being moved to Houston for Chevron and hope for a decent value. The home was very cute, updated but a bit different from the first one of the day.
Then I found a Burger King for lunch and headed home. Upon arriving home I discovered that at field review was due today and the property was in Richmond so back into the car and back over the same road. Some days I need a personal assistant to keep me together. Now I'm back and have written the review, shipped it out and am heading for bed.
It is very discouraging to have to deal with the bandage all the time, getting keys out of a pocket is a task, driving, measuring all are a challenge.
My doctor ask for blood sugars morning and an hour after eating for a three day period. This morning it was 257, then mid afternoon it was 159 and I'm about to take it again now before I go to bed hoping for a better number.
So that's it for the day, thankful for work but still challenged to get it completed.
Love to all.
Tim
Sunday, December 4, 2011
4 years - Nan passed
It is hard to describe how exciting it was to lay eyes on her for the first time. Of course my mind just relayed the message to my roaring emotions, "out of your league" and I moved on. We were at Pinecrest Camp located just off Highway 50 near Lake Tahoe. She to be a girls counselor, I to be Boys Director thanks to Uncle Charlie Edwards, youth director for the Northern California Conference of SDAs. We were there to operate a summer camp program for weeks of fun for boy and girls from all over California. Long hours, great food, constant energy.
Soon we made the discovery that we could both sing, had done lots of solo work, she in Texas and California and so on Sabbath afternoons when little campers were napping staff would gather round the piano and sing, our voices worked well together and her stunning blue eyes, waist length blond hair, tiny frame, 105 lbs and endless energy began to work its magic.
Thanks to a kind uncle she had braces which needed constant adjusting at the orthodonist who was located in Lodi. Being of a kind ilk I offered to drive her there and back and so began some time together without 10 little curious campers watching our every move. I began to look forward to trips to Lodi. Before long we were falling love and found every chance to exchange kisses, frequent visits to Uncle Clarlie's office and admonitions about PDA put a crimp in our new love but only drove it underground.
In the fall we were both back at PUC and totally in love, on a mountainside with music from Brigadoon playing I proposed and she accepted, pause for tears, and we began to make plans for a wedding the day after graduation. It was a magic year, every morning she drove me down the back of Howel Mountain to Pope Valley where I picked up a little school bus and collected high school brats, then drove over the hill with its narrow and twisty roads to Saint Helena High School where I deposited the little winners, then back to park the bus at the SDA church and hitch a ride up the hill to classes. Then in the afternoon the reverse, hitch down the hill to the bus, oh yes there were very interesting rides, fast, slow, hippies, drug dealers, I just needed a ride. Then pick up the bus, collect the kids and drive back to Pope Valley where I dumped the kids. Then there nan would be, back with our car for the ride back to campus. That was our senior year with all the choir trips, dates, classes, bills and planning. It was a tough time but a magic time. This incredibly desirable and beautiful woman was actually going to marry me. A lot of pinching happened, can this really be happening?
The day after I graduated we were married in Lodi. We had many friends and they all ended up in the wedding party! What a hoot, the flowers were borrowed from a wedding that had been held the day before, her dress had seen several weddings in Texas, my shoes had help me written on the bottoms thats to my "friends" and an old girl friends grandparents came to me before the wedding offering me money if I would just leave and not go through with it. Another very kind lady handed me money, a lot of money for those days and the provided a very nice honeymoon.
And so our lives began together. Nan proved to be not only beautiful but also very bright, driven, loyal, organized, focused, loving and when Nikki and Jason arrived a dedicated mother, not so much with words but her actions made birthdays, christmas and other events huge deals, all out and they grew every year.
Was Nan perfect? Easy to live with? no NO N O. But she was everything a guy could really dream of. She just happened to end up with a mind of her own and crossing her was done with great peril to ones future. What a lady and when the GIST hit her strong will became her best weapon. No matter what happened she fought, she held it together and she made the best of everything. She had more things removed, endured more pain and surgery than anyone I know yet I only remember her courage and her love for nurses, some doctors and for her family and friends.
Miss her, well of course, when you have lived with someone like this, well you don't forget, you just smile and mouth the words, thank you Lord for 36 incredible years.
Tim
Soon we made the discovery that we could both sing, had done lots of solo work, she in Texas and California and so on Sabbath afternoons when little campers were napping staff would gather round the piano and sing, our voices worked well together and her stunning blue eyes, waist length blond hair, tiny frame, 105 lbs and endless energy began to work its magic.
Thanks to a kind uncle she had braces which needed constant adjusting at the orthodonist who was located in Lodi. Being of a kind ilk I offered to drive her there and back and so began some time together without 10 little curious campers watching our every move. I began to look forward to trips to Lodi. Before long we were falling love and found every chance to exchange kisses, frequent visits to Uncle Clarlie's office and admonitions about PDA put a crimp in our new love but only drove it underground.
In the fall we were both back at PUC and totally in love, on a mountainside with music from Brigadoon playing I proposed and she accepted, pause for tears, and we began to make plans for a wedding the day after graduation. It was a magic year, every morning she drove me down the back of Howel Mountain to Pope Valley where I picked up a little school bus and collected high school brats, then drove over the hill with its narrow and twisty roads to Saint Helena High School where I deposited the little winners, then back to park the bus at the SDA church and hitch a ride up the hill to classes. Then in the afternoon the reverse, hitch down the hill to the bus, oh yes there were very interesting rides, fast, slow, hippies, drug dealers, I just needed a ride. Then pick up the bus, collect the kids and drive back to Pope Valley where I dumped the kids. Then there nan would be, back with our car for the ride back to campus. That was our senior year with all the choir trips, dates, classes, bills and planning. It was a tough time but a magic time. This incredibly desirable and beautiful woman was actually going to marry me. A lot of pinching happened, can this really be happening?
The day after I graduated we were married in Lodi. We had many friends and they all ended up in the wedding party! What a hoot, the flowers were borrowed from a wedding that had been held the day before, her dress had seen several weddings in Texas, my shoes had help me written on the bottoms thats to my "friends" and an old girl friends grandparents came to me before the wedding offering me money if I would just leave and not go through with it. Another very kind lady handed me money, a lot of money for those days and the provided a very nice honeymoon.
And so our lives began together. Nan proved to be not only beautiful but also very bright, driven, loyal, organized, focused, loving and when Nikki and Jason arrived a dedicated mother, not so much with words but her actions made birthdays, christmas and other events huge deals, all out and they grew every year.
Was Nan perfect? Easy to live with? no NO N O. But she was everything a guy could really dream of. She just happened to end up with a mind of her own and crossing her was done with great peril to ones future. What a lady and when the GIST hit her strong will became her best weapon. No matter what happened she fought, she held it together and she made the best of everything. She had more things removed, endured more pain and surgery than anyone I know yet I only remember her courage and her love for nurses, some doctors and for her family and friends.
Miss her, well of course, when you have lived with someone like this, well you don't forget, you just smile and mouth the words, thank you Lord for 36 incredible years.
Tim
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Elkhorn Slough national Estuarine Research Reserve
That's where I ended up this afternoon. After a delightful time with the girls at Sabbath School this morning I dropped them off with their parents and headed for MBA, Jason texted me that they were heading out to a nice nature spot and I could meet them there. Thanks to GPS which guided me I found this lovely reserve, its fed by waters from the ocean and is near Moss Landing. After walking for a long ways on first a paved path and then gravel I reached the water's edge and found the kiddos watching birds, the tidal basin and the wide expanse of nature. It was great fun and Mia was so expansive and happy to talk. Timothy was exploring with his cousin whose family was also there visiting.
After sunset we ventured back to their home for soup and fun. It tasted great and it was so fun to catch up with the kiddos and see them in action. Mia is standing and if holding onto anything she walks but not taking steps yet. Soon I sense.
Its been a really good day and when I got home there was even a tiny check in the mail.
Tomorrow is a work day and I look forward to getting more caught up. My recuperating hand is doing better but does not like to do the steering wheel or open doors or anything hard yet. Getting firewood is always a bit of a challenge.
I hope your day was gone well and that you've had a chance to rest and recharge.
Love to all,
Tim
After sunset we ventured back to their home for soup and fun. It tasted great and it was so fun to catch up with the kiddos and see them in action. Mia is standing and if holding onto anything she walks but not taking steps yet. Soon I sense.
Its been a really good day and when I got home there was even a tiny check in the mail.
Tomorrow is a work day and I look forward to getting more caught up. My recuperating hand is doing better but does not like to do the steering wheel or open doors or anything hard yet. Getting firewood is always a bit of a challenge.
I hope your day was gone well and that you've had a chance to rest and recharge.
Love to all,
Tim
Friday, December 2, 2011
And once again the week is over
We turn the page in the book, remembering a few happy moments, mostly involved little people visiting! a lot of pain and stress, the threat of surgery with all the concerns that go with that and then the relief when it was removed from the table.
Days of high wind with beautiful white caps on Willow Lake, leaves passing by and on to another destination, warm from the stove, chill from the air leaking around the dog door and the sadness report that Carrol's numbers are not going the right way right now, more chemo is coming. Our very brave couple she the patient and he the caregiver with so much positive news for so long and then it creeps the wrong way. They both need our prayers.
I've learned to type with what feels like a tennis ball in my hand, not well, not without many mistakes but I'm typing at last. Seems everything I've seen this week has been huge, 3,600 sf or 3,800 sf and as the home increases in size the stakes for the appraisal go up as well, easy to miss something.
I'm thankful for my children this week, whether it is text messages from Jason, phone calls from Nikki as she is rushing to her next appointment, Timothy now calls and can carry on a great conversation and then Mia chatters to before she pushes the off botton, thanks Jo for helping them call and then there is the drop in visit from Steve with his whirling activity prone two dogs who love to swim in the lake, chase the ball and bark, Steve who just happens by and suddenly my dead iphone comes to life and works perfectly, Steve who helps with appraisals and writeups or today giving me a ride to get the motorhome back with its new windows, sure is quiet now.
Life is not ideal right now. I tend to be a person who loves to talk, to listen to be close to someone, to reach out and touch living humanity but I live mostly in a world of quiet with only the TV to keep me company. Starr is still with me, I granted her a reprieve for a couple days.
Tomorrow morning I know I get to take Kallie to church, not sure about Keanna with her busy schedule and all.
Sending love to all,
Much to enjoy, much to contemplate, much to forgive. Dec. 4 is coming, it will be 4 years since Nan fell asleep in Jesus. She is missed every hour, every day for a myriad of reasons. Only God knows why....
Tim
Days of high wind with beautiful white caps on Willow Lake, leaves passing by and on to another destination, warm from the stove, chill from the air leaking around the dog door and the sadness report that Carrol's numbers are not going the right way right now, more chemo is coming. Our very brave couple she the patient and he the caregiver with so much positive news for so long and then it creeps the wrong way. They both need our prayers.
I've learned to type with what feels like a tennis ball in my hand, not well, not without many mistakes but I'm typing at last. Seems everything I've seen this week has been huge, 3,600 sf or 3,800 sf and as the home increases in size the stakes for the appraisal go up as well, easy to miss something.
I'm thankful for my children this week, whether it is text messages from Jason, phone calls from Nikki as she is rushing to her next appointment, Timothy now calls and can carry on a great conversation and then Mia chatters to before she pushes the off botton, thanks Jo for helping them call and then there is the drop in visit from Steve with his whirling activity prone two dogs who love to swim in the lake, chase the ball and bark, Steve who just happens by and suddenly my dead iphone comes to life and works perfectly, Steve who helps with appraisals and writeups or today giving me a ride to get the motorhome back with its new windows, sure is quiet now.
Life is not ideal right now. I tend to be a person who loves to talk, to listen to be close to someone, to reach out and touch living humanity but I live mostly in a world of quiet with only the TV to keep me company. Starr is still with me, I granted her a reprieve for a couple days.
Tomorrow morning I know I get to take Kallie to church, not sure about Keanna with her busy schedule and all.
Sending love to all,
Much to enjoy, much to contemplate, much to forgive. Dec. 4 is coming, it will be 4 years since Nan fell asleep in Jesus. She is missed every hour, every day for a myriad of reasons. Only God knows why....
Tim
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Reversal
Good evening,
This has been a long hard fought day but I've just completed the third report, the first one had lots of Steve's help in it. My hand is very tired of typing and is complaining a bit.
This morning Dr. Bahl, Kaiser oncologist called to give me an update. He had told me yesterday that he would consult with another oncologist who does many of these surgeries after a tumor like mine is removed. He called to tell me that after a conversation with her I would not be needing the surgery after all. That was really good news.
Today the wind has continued to blow very hard and it seems to find its way into my house around the sliding doors and through the dog door. Brrr is what I can say for sure. I've kept a fire burning all day today to help with the chill.
Keanna came to visit briefly today. We did McDonalds and then I took her to an appointment with an orthodonist in Tracy. Nikki met me there and so I drifted back home to work.
Last night I had terrible news about the ipone. I left it sitting by the fire all night and this morning when Steve came by he played with it and found it was showing a dead battery. So I gladly charged it and its worked well all day today. That was a huge answer to prayer as replacing it would have been costly.
Well for now I'm beat, satisfied and looking forward to rest. Today I've earned it.
Love to all
Tim
This has been a long hard fought day but I've just completed the third report, the first one had lots of Steve's help in it. My hand is very tired of typing and is complaining a bit.
This morning Dr. Bahl, Kaiser oncologist called to give me an update. He had told me yesterday that he would consult with another oncologist who does many of these surgeries after a tumor like mine is removed. He called to tell me that after a conversation with her I would not be needing the surgery after all. That was really good news.
Today the wind has continued to blow very hard and it seems to find its way into my house around the sliding doors and through the dog door. Brrr is what I can say for sure. I've kept a fire burning all day today to help with the chill.
Keanna came to visit briefly today. We did McDonalds and then I took her to an appointment with an orthodonist in Tracy. Nikki met me there and so I drifted back home to work.
Last night I had terrible news about the ipone. I left it sitting by the fire all night and this morning when Steve came by he played with it and found it was showing a dead battery. So I gladly charged it and its worked well all day today. That was a huge answer to prayer as replacing it would have been costly.
Well for now I'm beat, satisfied and looking forward to rest. Today I've earned it.
Love to all
Tim
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